Biomedical Engineering Research Division, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Wasit University, Wasit, Iraq.
J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2019 Oct 30;16(1):128. doi: 10.1186/s12984-019-0588-7.
Central Neuropathic Pain (CNP) is a frequent chronic condition in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Previously, we showed that using laboratory brain-computer interface (BCI) technology for neurofeedback (NFB) training, it was possible to reduce CNP in people with SCI. In this study, we show results of patient self-managed treatment in their homes with a BCI-NFB using a consumer EEG device.
Users: People with chronic SCI (17 M, 3 F, 50.6 ± 14.1 years old), and CNP ≥4 on a Visual Numerical Scale.
Laboratory training (up to 4 sessions) followed by home self-managed NFB. User Activity: Upregulating the EEG alpha band power by 10% above a threshold and at the same time downregulating the theta and upper beta (20-30 Hz) band power by 10% at electrode location C4. Technology: A consumer grade multichannel EEG headset (Epoch, Emotiv, USA), a tablet computer and custom made NFB software.
EEG analysis, before and after NFB assessment, interviews and questionnaires.
Effectiveness: Out of 20 initially assessed participants, 15 took part in the study. Participants used the system for 6.9 ± 5.5 (median 4) weeks. Twelve participants regulated their brainwaves in a frequency specific manner and were most successful upregulating the alpha band power. However they typically upregulated power around their individual alpha peak (7.6 ± 0.8 Hz) that was lower than in people without CNP. The reduction in pain experienced was statistically significant in 12 and clinically significant (greater than 30%) in 8 participants. Efficiency: The donning was between 5 and 15 min, and approximately 10-20% of EEG data recorded in the home environment was noise. Participants were mildly stressed when self-administering NFB at home (2.4 on a scale 1-10). User satisfaction: Nine participants who completed the final assessment reported a high level of satisfaction (QUESQ, 4.5 ± 0.8), naming effectiveness, ease of use and comfort as main priorities. The main factors influencing frequency of NFB training were: health related issues, free time and pain intensity.
Portable NFB is a feasible solution for home-based self-managed treatment of CNP. Compared to pharmacological treatments, NFB has less side effects and provides users with active control over pain.
GN15NE124 , Registered 9th June 2016.
中枢神经性疼痛（CNP）是脊髓损伤（SCI）患者常见的慢性疾病。此前，我们发现使用实验室脑-机接口（BCI）技术进行神经反馈（NFB）训练，可以减轻 SCI 患者的 CNP。在这项研究中，我们展示了使用消费者脑电图设备在家中进行 BCI-NFB 自我管理治疗的结果。
使用者：患有慢性 SCI（17 名男性，3 名女性，50.6±14.1 岁）和 CNP≥4 的人，在视觉数字量表上。
实验室培训（最多 4 次），然后在家中进行自我管理的 NFB。使用者活动：将脑电图α频段功率提高 10%，同时将 C4 电极位置的θ和上β（20-30Hz）频段功率降低 10%。技术：一款消费者级多通道脑电图耳机（Epoch，Emotiv，美国）、平板电脑和定制的 NFB 软件。
脑电图分析，在 NFB 评估之前和之后，进行访谈和问卷调查。
有效性：最初评估的 20 名参与者中有 15 名参加了这项研究。参与者使用该系统 6.9±5.5（中位数 4）周。12 名参与者以特定的频率方式调节他们的脑电波，并且最成功地调节了α波段的功率。然而，他们通常会在他们的个体α峰（7.6±0.8Hz）周围调节功率，这低于没有 CNP 的人。12 名参与者的疼痛减轻具有统计学意义，8 名参与者的疼痛减轻具有临床意义（大于 30%）。效率：穿戴时间在 5 到 15 分钟之间，并且在家中环境中记录的大约 10-20%的脑电图数据是噪声。参与者在家中自我管理 NFB 时会感到轻度压力（1-10 分制的 2.4 分）。使用者满意度：完成最终评估的 9 名参与者报告了高水平的满意度（QUESQ，4.5±0.8），将有效性、易用性和舒适度列为主要优先级。影响 NFB 训练频率的主要因素是：健康相关问题、空闲时间和疼痛强度。
便携式 NFB 是一种可行的基于家庭的 CNP 自我管理治疗方法。与药物治疗相比，NFB 的副作用更少，并且为用户提供了对疼痛的主动控制。
GN15NE124，于 2016 年 6 月 9 日注册。
