Pilot-study into the effectiveness of neurofeedback in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

It is claimed that neurofeedback (NF) is efficacious in the treatment of MDD. So far, no studies have systematically examined such claims. However, basic neurophysiological studies appear to support the premise of NF that depression is associated with frontal alpha-asymmetry in the resting EEG. Reduction of this FA is thought to be related to a decrease in depressive symptomatology. The aim of this pilot-study is to investigate the effectiveness of NF (delivered as a frontal asymmetry protocol) in MDD by (1) decreasing FA, and (2) reducing severity of depressive symptomatology.
In case of positive results in this pilot-study a larger scale RCT will be conducted.

Neurofeedback is effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder.

1. Premeasure; diagnosis and assessment of clinical variables (like severity of MDD);

2. Measurement of MDD severity before every NF session;

3. Assessment of clinical variables (like severity of MDD) upon completion of the intervention.



1. Premeasure: 6 days ESM;

2. Postmeasure: after 8 weeks of mindfulness training/time control: 6 days ESM;

3. Follow-ups are planned, but were not yet submitted to ethical committee;

4. Follow-up at 6 months;

5. Follow-up at 12 months.

Neurofeedback will be administered based by means of frontal alpha-asymmetry (FA) feedback. Baseline resting-EEG signal will be analyzed and individual thresholds will be used to provide real-time visual feedback in order to diminish FA. A maximum of 30 NF sessions will be delivered with a frequency of 3 sessions each week.