Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, Vol. 20, No. 3, 1995

NEUROTHERAPY FOR STROKE REHABILITATION:
A SINGLE CASE STUDY

George R. Rozelle and Thomas H. Budzynski
Anabasis, Sarasota, Florida, and Center for Behavioral Medicine, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida

ABSTRACT

A 55 year old male subject was treated with a two-tiered neurotherapy approach for a period of six months beginning approximately one year after a left-side CVA. Medical evaluation revealed left posterior temporal/parietal infarctions secondary to occlusion of the left internal carotid artery.

The patient complained of hesitant speech with word finding difficulty and paraphasia, difficulty focusing his right eye, lack of balance and coordination, poor short-term memory, poor concentration, anxiety, depression, and tinnitus. A Quantitative Electroencephalograph (QEEG) analysis revealed increased left-side 4-7 Hz. activity and alpha persistence on eye opening. Two neurotherapy approaches were used beginning with Electroencephalographic Entrainment Feedback (EEF). This was followed by neurofeedback to inhibit 4-7 Hz and increase 15-21 Hz over sensorimotor and speech areas. At the conclusion of treatment there was significant reductions in slow-wave activity. Improvement was evident in speech fluency, word finding, balance and coordination, attention and concentration. Depression, anxiety, and tinnitus were greatly reduced.

1. This study was made possible through a grant from Margaret S. Buzzelli to support the study of Innovation in the Restoration and Development of the Sense of Self at Anabasis. The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of Timothy Hallinan, Ph.D., for providing neuropsychological testing; Phyllis Joseph, M.S., C.C.C., and Nelda Foster, Speech Language Pathologist, for providing speech evaluations; and Phillip Reed and Tom Allen, who provided invaluable technical assistance. Preparation of this manuscript was supported in part by grant No. NS-29855 from The National Instutite of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

2. Address all correspondence to Dr. George Rozelle, 2800 Bahia Vista Street, Suite 400, Sarasota, FL 34239

3. Dr. Thomas Budzynski is a Visiting Scholar/Scientist at the Center for Behavioral Medicine, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida.