![low energy neurofeedback system lens ware ii low energy neurofeedback system lens ware ii](https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/see.jpg)
A criteria list developed by La Vaque et al. Only few of them were devoted to evidence levels that are a gross evaluation of methodology implemented in the studies on the problem and reflect the degree of our current confidence in effectiveness of existing biofeedback and neurofeedback practices for depression treatment. A number of reviews and meta-analyses were published to date summarizing data on effectiveness of certain modalities and protocols in treating depression, with most of them assessed effect sizes and other measures of biofeedback- or neurofeedback-related benefits. Over 100 studies are dedicated to depression and view it either as a mental disorder or as a subclinical personality trait or emotional state, and nearly 25 trials deal with clinical depression per se figuring out biofeedback or neurofeedback utility as an adjunct treatment. A number of electroencephalographic (EEG) and real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) protocols were developed alongside biofeedback approaches. Over the approximately 60-year-long history of neurofeedback, depression has received much attention from researchers and clinicians. The greatest complication preventing certain protocols from reaching higher evidence levels is a relatively high number of uncontrolled studies and an absence of accurate replications arising from the heterogeneity in protocol details, course lengths, measures of improvement, control conditions, and sample characteristics. Thus, neurofeedback specifically targeting depression is moderately supported by existing studies (all fit level 2/5, “possibly efficacious”). Finally, the two most influential real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback protocols targeting the amygdala and the frontal cortices both demonstrate some effectiveness, though lack replications (level 2/5, “possibly efficacious”). Electroencephalographic (EEG) neurofeedback protocols, namely, alpha-theta, alpha, and sensorimotor rhythm upregulation, all qualify for level 2/5, “possibly efficacious.” Frontal alpha asymmetry protocol also received limited evidence of effect in depression (level 2/5, “possibly efficacious”). Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback was found to be moderately supportable as a treatment of MDD while outcome measure was a subjective questionnaire like Beck Depression Inventory (level 3/5, “probably efficacious”). criteria endorsed by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback and International Society for Neuroregulation & Research were accepted as a means of study evaluation. This article is aimed at showing the current level of evidence for the usage of biofeedback and neurofeedback to treat depression along with a detailed review of the studies in the field and a discussion of rationale for utilizing each protocol.