A Neurofeedback Booster for Emotion Regulation Therapy

BrainBoost - A Neurofeedback Booster for Emotion Regulation Therapy

This is a proof-of-concept study that aims to test the additional value of adjuvant neurofeedback treatment for psychotherapy. Three sessions of real-time fMRI neurofeedback will be administered to N=22 patients with BPD while they receive residential Dialectical Behavior Therapy treatment. In addition, outcomes are assessed from a control group with same sample size who do not receive the treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• DSM-5 BPD diagnosis
• informed consent
• EtOH and tox negative on the day of neurofeedback
• BSL-23 score >=1.87 at DBT halftime

Exclusion Criteria:

• pharmacotherapy with opiates
• standing benzodiazepines (bedtime-only benzodiazepines and anti-histamines allowed)
• pregnancy
• epilepsy
• life-time diagnosis schizophrenia or bipolar disorder I
• significant current or past neurological illness
• BMI<16.5
• usual safety criteria for magnetic resonance imaging