Auditory Phantom Perceptions (Tinnitus) and Neurofeedback Training ‘In the Wild’: A Feasibility Study on Home Treatment

Tinnitus (TI) is a disease of the brain with high prevalence and often severe consequences for which no causal therapy approach has been established so far. Neurofeedback Training (NFT) is considered a promising approach to treat TI based on studies applying the Dohrmann-protocol reporting reduced TI loudness and distress. As the current method is relatively laborious and expensive, home-based NFT could make this promising approach accessible to a larger number of patients. However, it is still unclear whether and how NFT can be carried out at home. This study evaluated the feasibility of the Dohrmann-protocol in a home-based, sham-controlled, single blind, longitudinal cross-over wash-out design with <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\mathrm{N}=9$</tex> TI patients. EEG was recorded during 30 NFT or sham feedback sessions and acceptance of the at-home treatment was measured longitudinally. Ordinary acceptance, especially in response to veritable NFT in comparison to sham feedback and a dropout rate of 22.20 % were observed. Home-based NFT produced impedances <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$&lt;10 \text{kOhm}$</tex>, indicating acceptable EEG contact quality. TI distress was reduced, and NFT increased the alpha delta ratio. We conclude, the feasibility of a methodologically sound home-based NFT study was demonstrated. Limitations discuss the small sample size. Future directions include optimizing hard- and software procedures to enhance system usability and user interaction.