A home-based EEG neurofeedback treatment for chronic neuropathic pain—a pilot study

ObjectiveThis study assessed the effect of an 8-week home-based neurofeedback intervention in chronic neuropathic pain patients.Subjects/PatientsA cohort of eleven individuals with chronic neuropathic pain receiving treatment within the NHS framework.MethodsParticipants were trained to operate a hom...

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Main Authors: Mohamed Sakel, Christine A. Ozolins, Karen Saunders, Riya Biswas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Pain Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1479914/full
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author Mohamed Sakel
Christine A. Ozolins
Karen Saunders
Riya Biswas
author_facet Mohamed Sakel
Christine A. Ozolins
Karen Saunders
Riya Biswas
author_sort Mohamed Sakel
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveThis study assessed the effect of an 8-week home-based neurofeedback intervention in chronic neuropathic pain patients.Subjects/PatientsA cohort of eleven individuals with chronic neuropathic pain receiving treatment within the NHS framework.MethodsParticipants were trained to operate a home-based neurofeedback system. Each received a portable Axon system for one week of electroencephalogram (EEG) baselines, followed by an 8-week neurofeedback intervention, and subsequent 12 weeks of follow-up EEG baselines. Primary outcome measures included changes in the Brief Pain Inventory and Visual Analogue Pain Scale at post-intervention, and follow-ups compared with the baseline. Secondary outcomes included changes in depression, anxiety, stress, pain catastrophizing, central sensitization, sleep quality, and quality of life. EEG activities were monitored throughout the trial.ResultsSignificant improvements were noted in pain scores, with all participants experiencing overall pain reduction. Clinically significant pain improvement (≥30%) was reported by 5 participants (56%). Mood scores showed a significant decrease in depression (p < 0.05), and pain catastrophizing (p < 0.05) scores improved significantly at post-intervention, with continued improvement at the first-month follow-up.ConclusionThe findings indicate that an 8-week home-based neurofeedback intervention improved pain and psychological well-being in this sample of chronic neuropathic pain patients. A randomized controlled trial is required to replicate these results in a larger cohort. Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05464199, identifier: (NCT05464199).
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spelling doaj-art-7dbd5c2427ff4d9aa4345211d9dc87622025-08-20T02:57:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pain Research2673-561X2025-03-01610.3389/fpain.2025.14799141479914A home-based EEG neurofeedback treatment for chronic neuropathic pain—a pilot studyMohamed Sakel0Christine A. Ozolins1Karen Saunders2Riya Biswas3East Kent Neuro-Rehabilitation Service, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Canterbury, United KingdomExsurgo Ltd., Auckland, New ZealandCentre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent, Canterbury, United KingdomExsurgo Ltd., Auckland, New ZealandObjectiveThis study assessed the effect of an 8-week home-based neurofeedback intervention in chronic neuropathic pain patients.Subjects/PatientsA cohort of eleven individuals with chronic neuropathic pain receiving treatment within the NHS framework.MethodsParticipants were trained to operate a home-based neurofeedback system. Each received a portable Axon system for one week of electroencephalogram (EEG) baselines, followed by an 8-week neurofeedback intervention, and subsequent 12 weeks of follow-up EEG baselines. Primary outcome measures included changes in the Brief Pain Inventory and Visual Analogue Pain Scale at post-intervention, and follow-ups compared with the baseline. Secondary outcomes included changes in depression, anxiety, stress, pain catastrophizing, central sensitization, sleep quality, and quality of life. EEG activities were monitored throughout the trial.ResultsSignificant improvements were noted in pain scores, with all participants experiencing overall pain reduction. Clinically significant pain improvement (≥30%) was reported by 5 participants (56%). Mood scores showed a significant decrease in depression (p < 0.05), and pain catastrophizing (p < 0.05) scores improved significantly at post-intervention, with continued improvement at the first-month follow-up.ConclusionThe findings indicate that an 8-week home-based neurofeedback intervention improved pain and psychological well-being in this sample of chronic neuropathic pain patients. A randomized controlled trial is required to replicate these results in a larger cohort. Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05464199, identifier: (NCT05464199).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1479914/fullchronic neuropathic painEEG neurofeedbackhome-based neurofeedbackbrain-computer interfaceneuromodulationneuropathic pain
spellingShingle Mohamed Sakel
Christine A. Ozolins
Karen Saunders
Riya Biswas
A home-based EEG neurofeedback treatment for chronic neuropathic pain—a pilot study
Frontiers in Pain Research
chronic neuropathic pain
EEG neurofeedback
home-based neurofeedback
brain-computer interface
neuromodulation
neuropathic pain
title A home-based EEG neurofeedback treatment for chronic neuropathic pain—a pilot study
title_full A home-based EEG neurofeedback treatment for chronic neuropathic pain—a pilot study
title_fullStr A home-based EEG neurofeedback treatment for chronic neuropathic pain—a pilot study
title_full_unstemmed A home-based EEG neurofeedback treatment for chronic neuropathic pain—a pilot study
title_short A home-based EEG neurofeedback treatment for chronic neuropathic pain—a pilot study
title_sort home based eeg neurofeedback treatment for chronic neuropathic pain a pilot study
topic chronic neuropathic pain
EEG neurofeedback
home-based neurofeedback
brain-computer interface
neuromodulation
neuropathic pain
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1479914/full
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