While backed by documented evidence, neurofeedback is still a relatively new methodology. As such, this question continues to be asked and deserves to be answered: “Is there scientific evidence proving that neurofeedback works?”

What does science say about neurofeedback? In a nutshell, existing literature indicates there is sufficient and continuously growing evidence-based information on the use of neurofeedback as a treatment for specific neurological conditions. This collection of neurofeedback resources provideS a solid reference point for anyone interested in further study.

ADHD

• Neurofeedback and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD) in Children: Rating the Evidence and Proposed Guidelines. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback 45, 39–48 (2020).
• Efficacy of Neurofeedback Treatment in ADHD: The Effects on Inattention, Impulsivity and Hyperactivity: A Meta-Analysis. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 40(3). 
• Evidence-based information on the clinical use of neurofeedback for ADHD. Neurotherapeutics, 9(3), 588-98.
• Current status of neurofeedback for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Current Psychiatry Rep. 14(5), 536-42.
• Update on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 16(2), 217-226.
• Is neurofeedback an efficacious treatment for ADHD? A randomised controlled clinical trial. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50(7), 780-789.

ANXIETY

• Neurofeedback training improves anxiety trait and depressive symptom in GAD. Brain and Behavior. 11. 10.1002/brb3.2024.
• Using Neurofeedback to Lower Anxiety Symptoms Using Individualized qEEG Protocols: A Pilot Study. NeuroRegulation, 2(3), 137-148.
• Alpha Suppression and Symmetry Training for Generalized Anxiety Symptoms. Journal of Neurotherapy, 13, 146–155.
• Neurofeedback Treatment of Depression and Anxiety. Journal of Adult Development 12(2), 131-137.
• Neurofeedback with anxiety and affective disorders. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 14(1), 105-123.
• Treatment of Chronic Anxiety Disorder with Neurotherapy. Journal of Neurotherapy, 2(2).
• Neurofeedback training improves anxiety trait and depressive symptom in GAD.
• Treatment of Anxiety Disorder with Neurofeedback: Case Study
• Frontal alpha asymmetry neurofeedback for the reduction of negative affect and anxiety.
• Real-Time Functional Connectivity-Informed Neurofeedback of Amygdala-Frontal Pathways Reduces Anxiety.

DEPRESSION

• A Neurofeedback Protocol for Executive Function to Reduce Depression and Rumination: A Controlled Study. Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience. 2020;18(3):375-385.
• Neurofeedback and networks of depression. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 16 (1).
• Neurofeedback treatments for depression disorders- review of current advances. Journal of Computer Science and Technology, 7(3), 443-452.
• Neurofeedback as a Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder – A Pilot Study, PLoS One, 9(3).
• Neurofeedback Treatment of Depression with the Roshi. Journal of Neurotherapy, 4(2).
• Clinical Use of an Alpha Asymmetry Neurofeedback Protocol in the Treatment of Mood Disorders. Journal of Neurotherapy, 4(4).
• Review of EEG-based neurofeedback as a therapeutic intervention to treat depression.

PEAK PERFORMANCE

• Enhancing learning in a perceptual-cognitive training paradigm using EEG-neurofeedback. Scientific Reports, 11, 4061 (2021).
• The Relation Between Memory Improvement and QEEG Changes in Three Clinical Groups as a Result of EEG Biofeedback Treatment. Journal of Neurotherapy, 17(2).
• Neurofeedback training for peak performance. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 21(4), 871–875.
• Biofeedback Training for Peak Performance in Sport – Case Study. Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 3(2).
• Peak Performance Training Using Prefrontal EEG Biofeedback. Biofeedback, 40(1), 7–15.   
• Neurofeedback for Peak Performance Training. journal of Mental Health Counseling, 3(2), 116-123.

ADDICTION

• Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training: an effective treatment for male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms. J Clin Psychol, 51(5), 685-693.
• Applicability of brain wave biofeedback to substance use disorder in adolescents. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 14(1), 125-36.
• Neurofeedback Training for Opiate Addiction: Improvement of Mental Health and Craving. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback, 38, 133–141.
• Effects of an EEG Biofeedback Protocol on a Mixed Substance Abusing Population. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 31, 455-469.
• Neurofeedback in Alcohol and Drug Dependency. Introduction to Quantitative EEG and Neurofeedback, 239-267.

NEUROFEEDBACK AND THE HUMAN BRAIN

• Tuning pathological brain oscillations with neurofeedback: a systems neuroscience framework. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Article 1008.
• Neurofeedback Training Induces Changes in White and Gray Matter. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 265-272.
• Closed-loop brain training: the science of neurofeedback. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 18, 86-100.
• A Review of qEEG-Guided Neurofeedback. Neuroregulation, 2(3).
• Neurofeedback: A Comprehensive Review on System Design, Methodology and Clinical Applications. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 7(2), 143-158.

SLEEP

• Efficacy of Live Z-Score Neurofeedback Training for Chronic Insomnia: A Single-Case Study. NeuroRegulation. 6. 93-101.

MIGRAINES

• Comparing the Effectiveness of Neurofeedback and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Sleep Quality of Patients With Migraine. Basic Clinical Neuroscience. 2019;10(6):579-588.
• Clinical and Psychological Confirmation of Stabilizing Effect of Neurofeedback in Migraine | European Psychiatry | Cambridge Core
• QEEG-guided neurofeedback for recurrent migraine headaches. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience. 2011 Jan;42(1):59-61.