The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether adding Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN) to standard residential treatment helps adults with substance use disorder more than standard treatment alone. It will also learn whether MCN is feasible to deliver in a residential treatment setting. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does adding MCN to Standard Care reduce substance cravings more than Standard Care alone? Does adding MCN to Standard Care reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD more than Standard Care alone? Is it feasible to deliver MCN sessions and collect study measurements within a residential treatment program?
Researchers compared Standard Care plus MCN to Standard Care alone to see whether adding MCN improved outcomes beyond standard treatment.
Participants:
Were enrolled in residential substance use treatment for at least 4 weeks before joining the study Were randomly assigned to receive Standard Care plus MCN or Standard Care alone Those receiving MCN attended 12 sessions over 12 weeks, each lasting 30-45 minutes Completed questionnaires about cravings, depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms at the start of the study, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks
Inclusion Criteria:
Age 18 to 65 years at enrollment Current substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis of any substance type Active enrollment in a residential SUD treatment program, with a minimum of 4 weeks of program enrollment completed prior to study enrollment (stabilization period) Medically stable English proficiency Willingness and ability to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
Severe cognitive impairment Active psychosis or acute psychiatric instability Neurological disorder likely to interfere with neurofeedback Concurrent enrollment in another interventional study Current receipt of another form of neurofeedback therapy
Participants received Standard Care (medications for opioid or alcohol use disorder where indicated, individual/group CBT, 12-step facilitation, and psychosocial support) plus 12 sessions of Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN) over 12 weeks, delivered twice weekly during alternating weeks. Sessions lasted 30-45 minutes and were conducted in a private room by trained, certified personnel using the IASIS device (Synaptic Tech, LLC), an FDA-cleared Class 2 biofeedback device. The device delivers sub-sensory-threshold electrical pulses via scalp sensors, with protocols individualized to each participant's EEG profile.
Participants received Standard Care only, consisting of medications for opioid or alcohol use disorder where clinically indicated (MOUD), individual and group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), 12-step facilitation, and psychosocial support services, per routine clinical practice at the residential treatment facility. Program structure was consistent across participants, though utilization of individual components, particularly medication receipt, varied by clinical need.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, United States
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