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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Clinical, hemispheric, and autonomic changes associated with use of closed-loop, allostatic neurotechnology by a case series of individuals with self-reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress

Authors: Charles H. Tegeler, Jared F. Cook, Catherine L. Tegeler, Joshua R. Hirsch, Hossam A. Shaltout, Sean L. Simpson, Brian C. Fidali, Lee Gerdes, Sung W. Lee

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

The objective of this pilot study was to explore the use of a closed-loop, allostatic, acoustic stimulation neurotechnology for individuals with self-reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress, as a potential means to impact symptomatology, temporal lobe high frequency asymmetry, heart rate variability (HRV), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS).

Methods

From a cohort of individuals participating in a naturalistic study to evaluate use of allostatic neurotechnology for diverse clinical conditions, a subset was identified who reported high scores on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL). The intervention entailed a series of sessions wherein brain electrical activity was monitored noninvasively at high spectral resolutions, with software algorithms translating selected brain frequencies into acoustic stimuli (audible tones) that were delivered back to the user in real time, to support auto-calibration of neural oscillations. Participants completed symptom inventories before and after the intervention, and a subset underwent short-term blood pressure recordings for HRV and BRS. Changes in temporal lobe high frequency asymmetry were analyzed from baseline assessment through the first four sessions, and for the last four sessions.

Results

Nineteen individuals (mean age 47, 11 women) were enrolled, and the majority also reported symptom scores that exceeded inventory thresholds for depression. They undertook a median of 16 sessions over 16.5 days, and 18 completed the number of sessions recommended. After the intervention, 89% of the completers reported clinically significant decreases in post-traumatic stress symptoms, indicated by a change of at least 10 points on the PCL. At a group level, individuals with either rightward (n = 7) or leftward (n = 7) dominant baseline asymmetry in temporal lobe high frequency (23–36 Hz) activity demonstrated statistically significant reductions in their asymmetry scores over the course of their first four sessions. For 12 individuals who underwent short-term blood pressure recordings, there were statistically significant increases in HRV in the time domain and BRS (Sequence Up). There were no adverse events.

Conclusion

Closed-loop, allostatic neurotechnology for auto-calibration of neural oscillations appears promising as an innovative therapeutic strategy for individuals with symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Trials registration

ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02709369, retrospectively registered on March 4, 2016.
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Metadata
Title
Clinical, hemispheric, and autonomic changes associated with use of closed-loop, allostatic neurotechnology by a case series of individuals with self-reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress
Authors
Charles H. Tegeler
Jared F. Cook
Catherine L. Tegeler
Joshua R. Hirsch
Hossam A. Shaltout
Sean L. Simpson
Brian C. Fidali
Lee Gerdes
Sung W. Lee
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1299-x

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