The applicability of neurofeedback in forensic psychotherapy: a literature review

Abstract

This review of the literature investigates the possibilities of the incorporation of neurofeedback into the repertoire of forensic psychotherapy. After a brief description of the method, an overview of the empirical evidence of its efficacy in specific areas of treatment is presented. This evidence is then translated into possible applications of neurofeedback in various areas of offender treatment including domestic violence, various other forms of violent and anti-social behavior, certain forms of sexually abusive behavior, and criminal behavior of an obsessive–compulsive nature. It is stressed in this review that neurofeedback is still a relatively new subject of empirical research. Therefore, more research is needed to establish its value for the field of forensic psychotherapy more precisely.

Keywords:

• neurofeedback
• neurotherapy
• forensic psychotherapy
• treatment effectiveness
• offender treatment
• criminal behavior

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