Research · studies on NeuroFit technologies
Research behind the technology.
The research behind NeuroFit technologies.
An editorial selection of relevant studies for each technology. We also include neutral results, because an honest library shows the limits too.
Area investigated marks clinical research. It shows what science has investigated, not NeuroFit medical services or therapeutic promises.
01tPBM
Transcranial photobiomodulation
tPBM
Transcranial photobiomodulationPsychological benefits 2 and 4 weeks after a single treatment with near infrared light to the forehead: a pilot study of 10 patients with major depression and anxietyArea investigated
RESULTIn 10 patients with major depression, 9 of whom also had anxiety, a single session of near-infrared light to the forehead was followed by significant decreases in depression and anxiety scores at 2 weeks. A very small feasibility study.
Transcranial Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. The ELATED-2 Pilot TrialArea investigated
RESULTIn 21 adults with major depression, 8 weeks of tPBM were associated with a greater reduction in depression scores than sham in some analyses, but not all. The authors call for replication in larger samples.
Transcranial Photobiomodulation with Near-Infrared Light for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot StudyArea investigated
RESULTIn 15 adults with generalised anxiety, 8 weeks of tPBM were associated with a drop in anxiety scores from about 17 to 8 points. Open-label study, no sham group.
Transcranial laser stimulation as neuroenhancement for attention bias modification in adults with elevated depression symptoms
RESULTIn 51 young adults with elevated depressive symptoms, tPBM over the right frontal area amplified the benefit of an attention training exercise in those who responded to the exercise.
Photobiomodulation improves depression symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsArea investigated
RESULTAcross 11 randomised studies with 407 participants, photobiomodulation was associated with a moderate reduction in depressive symptoms compared with control groups. The authors note that the number of studies is still small.
02Neurofeedback
NeurOptimal® and the broader research
Neurofeedback
NeurOptimal® and the broader researchResearch specific to NeurOptimal®
Research still limited, mostly observational and pilotDynamical Neurofeedback® NeurOptimal®: A New Approach to Improve the Perception of Tinnitus Through Cerebral Self-RegulationArea investigated
RESULTIn 115 people with tinnitus who completed 30 sessions, stress, anxiety and depression scores fell by 22–29%. Observational study, with no control group for the main outcomes.
Exploring the effect of neurofeedback on postcancer cognitive impairment and fatigue: A pilot feasibility studyArea investigated
RESULTIn 16 breast cancer survivors, 20 sessions were followed by a decrease in reported psychological symptoms, fatigue and sleep problems. Pilot study with no separate control group.
Broader neurofeedback research
Classic EEG protocols, not direct evidence for NeurOptimal®A Randomized Controlled Study of Neurofeedback for Chronic PTSDArea investigated
RESULTIn 52 adults with chronic PTSD, after 24 sessions 73% of the neurofeedback group no longer met PTSD criteria, compared with 32% in the waitlist group. The study had no sham group.
Efficacy of bio- and neurofeedback for depression: a meta-analysisArea investigated
RESULTBio- and neurofeedback were associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms, with larger effects in major depression. The authors stress that the rigour of studies in the field can still be improved.
A Meta-Analysis of Neurofeedback for Treating Anxiety-Spectrum DisordersArea investigated
RESULTAcross 26 studies, reported anxiety symptoms decreased on average by about one standard deviation after neurofeedback.
03taVNS
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation
taVNS
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulationAuricular transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in depressed patients: a randomized controlled pilot studyArea investigated
RESULTIn 37 patients with major depression, the self-rated depression score fell by an average of 12.6 points in the active group, compared with 4.4 in the sham group. The clinician-rated score did not change significantly.
Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on major depressive disorder: A nonrandomized controlled pilot studyArea investigated
RESULTThe taVNS group reported greater reductions in depression scores than the sham stimulation group. Non-randomised study.
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation reduces spontaneous but not induced negative thought intrusions in high worriers
RESULTIn 97 people with a strong tendency to worry, taVNS was associated with fewer spontaneous intrusive negative thoughts. After worry was induced, the effects were mixed.
Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in healthy humans reduces sympathetic nerve activity
RESULTIn healthy adults, stimulating the ear area reduced sympathetic nerve activity, the part of the nervous system associated with the stress response, and changed heart rate variability.
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in treating major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysisArea investigated
RESULTAcross 4 studies with 222 participants, taVNS reduced depression scores more than sham stimulation, with no obvious adverse effects. The authors call for larger, more rigorous studies.
04CES
Cranial electrotherapy stimulation
CES
Cranial electrotherapy stimulationA pilot study of cranial electrotherapy stimulation for generalized anxiety disorderArea investigated
RESULTIn 12 adults with generalised anxiety, after 6 weeks half had at least a 50% reduction in anxiety scores. Pilot study with no control group.
A clinical trial of cranial electrotherapy stimulation for anxiety and comorbid depressionArea investigated
RESULTIn 115 participants with anxiety disorders, after 5 weeks anxiety scores fell by 55% in the active group, compared with 27% in the sham group. Associated depressive symptoms also decreased.
Clinical effectiveness and cost minimisation model of Alpha-Stim cranial electrotherapy stimulation in treatment seeking patients with moderate to severe generalised anxiety disorderArea investigated
RESULTIn 161 adults with generalised anxiety in England's public services, about 45% reached remission at 12 weeks. Non-randomised study, no control group.
Military service member and veteran self reports of efficacy of cranial electrotherapy stimulation for anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, insomnia, and depressionArea investigated
RESULTIn a survey of 145 service members and veterans, about two thirds reported at least a 25% improvement in anxiety. Self-reported data; study funded by the device manufacturer.
Benefits and Harms of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Chronic Painful Conditions, Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia
RESULTLow-quality evidence of a modest benefit for anxiety and insufficient evidence for depression and sleep. The authors call for more rigorous studies.
05tDCS
Transcranial direct current stimulation
tDCS
Transcranial direct current stimulationThe sertraline vs electrical current therapy for treating depression clinical study: results from a factorial, randomized, controlled trialArea investigated
RESULTIn 120 patients with major depression, after 6 weeks tDCS was superior to sham stimulation, and combining it with an antidepressant had the largest effect.
Trial of Electrical Direct-Current Therapy versus Escitalopram for DepressionArea investigated
RESULTIn 245 patients, tDCS was superior to placebo but less effective than antidepressant medication. An important result for understanding the technology's limits.
Efficacy and acceptability of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for major depressive disorder: An individual patient data meta-analysisArea investigated
RESULTAcross 9 studies with 572 patients, the response rate was 31% with active tDCS versus 19% with sham, and remission 20% versus 12%. Dropout rates did not differ between groups.
Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation treatment for major depressive disorder: a fully remote phase 2 randomized sham-controlled trialArea investigated
RESULTIn 174 adults with depression, 10 weeks of self-administered tDCS at home were associated with a 45% remission rate, compared with 22% in the sham group.
Neuromodulation Treatments of Pathological Anxiety in Anxiety Disorders, Stressor-Related Disorders, and Major Depressive Disorder: A Dimensional Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisArea investigated
RESULTNeurostimulation had a moderate overall effect on anxiety, but for tDCS the effect was not statistically significant. We include this neutral result for transparency.