J Korean Acad Nurs.  2022 Feb;52(1):36-51. 10.4040/jkan.21155.

Effects of Electroencephalogram Biofeedback on Emotion Regulation and Brain Homeostasis of Late Adolescents in the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Park W
• Cho M
• Park S

• KMID: 2526887
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.21155

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback training for emotion regulation and brain homeostasis on anxiety about COVID-19 infection, impulsivity, anger rumination, meta-mood, and self-regulation ability of late adolescents in the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic situation.
Methods
A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The participants included 55 late adolescents in the experimental and control groups. The variables were evaluated using quantitative EEG at pre-post time points in the experimental group. The experimental groups received 10 sessions using the three-band protocol for five weeks. The collected data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, t-test and paired t-test using the SAS 9.3 program. The collected EEG data used a frequency series power spectrum analysis method through fast Fourier transform.
Results
Significant differences in emotion regulation between the two groups were observed in the anxiety about COVID-19 infection (W = 585.50, p = .002), mood repair of meta-mood (W = 889.50, p = .024), self-regulation ability (t = - 5.02, p < .001), self-regulation mode (t = - 4.74, p < .001), and volitional inhibition mode (t = - 2.61, p = .012). Neurofeedback training for brain homeostasis was effected on enhanced sensory-motor rhythm (S = 177.00, p < .001) and inhibited theta (S = - 166.00, p < .001).
Conclusion
The results demonstrate the potential of EEG biofeedback training as an independent nursing intervention that can markedly improve anxiety, mood-repair, and self-regulation ability for emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keyword

Biofeedback; Emotional Regulation; Anxiety; Adolescent; COVID-19