Work

Toward neuroscientific understanding in posttraumatic growth: Scoping review identifying electrophysiological neurofeedback training targets for brain-based research

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Improved neural understanding of posttraumatic growth (PTG) is required for effective trauma care. PTG is the advantageous psychological change some individuals derive from their struggle to overcome trauma. This comprehensive review critically examined the limited neural PTG research, to identify electrophysiological training targets for future research examining neurofeedback to enhance PTG, and provides novel insights into the emerging neural theory of PTG. PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) informed the process. Findings from the studies N =8 (participants N =765) revealed PTG was correlated with left-lateralised alpha frequency power patterns. Specifically, PTG was associated with lower left frontal alpha power, higher left central alpha power, and lower parietal alpha power. Differences between studies may identify different components of PTG-related neural circuitry, or represent variations in PTG and sub-factor strength, mechanistic differences between studies, or the potential confounding presence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While lower alpha power has been associated with higher PTSD in existing literature, higher left central alpha power was associated with lower PTSD. Therefore, alpha upregulation neurofeedback delivered over the sensorimotor cortices of the brain, around left central EEG electrode C3, presented the most promising neurofeedback target. • Reviews evidence of PTG-related brain activity to identify training targets for future EEG neurofeedback research. • PTG is the advantageous psychological transformation some individuals derive from the struggle to overcome trauma. • PTG is correlated with alpha power patterns in the left hemisphere of the brain. • Alpha up-regulation at EEG location C3, located on the left over the sensorimotor cortices, was deemed an ideal training target to enhance PTG.

Source: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105926

Authors: AJ Glazebrook, Jane Shakespeare-Finch, Brooke Andrew, Johan van der Meer

Institutions: Queensland University of Technology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers

Language: English

Topic: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,720