[Controlled EEG alpha feedback training in normals and headache patients (author's transl)].

Headache patients and healthy controls underwent alpha-EEG feedback training in 12 sessions. The present study does not support the literature which reports alpha increase by feedback training. The study included a patient group receiving feedback, a patient control group receiving pseudofeedback, and a volunteer group receiving feedback. Increase of alpha EEG was observed under feedback and pseudofeedback. However, there was always more alpha during baseline times than during training times. Alpha increase over time is suggested to be a habituation effect. Headache pain decreased with training (within the boundaries of a placebo effect), and there was no difference in headache decrease between feedback and pseudofeedback patients.