Setting Factors Associated With Licensed Psychotherapists' Interest in the Implementation of Electroencephalogram Neurofeedback Into Practice.

Abstract

Neurofeedback has been utilized to treat a variety of mental health issues by influencing brainwave patterns using auditory and/or visual feedback. Despite a plethora of research, there is a significant gap regarding why neurofeedback is not more commonly utilized in mental health care practice. This study sought to address this gap by posing the question: What factors are associated with psychotherapists' self-reported interest in adopting neurofeedback into their current practice? This study utilized the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to explore factors associated with outpatient psychotherapists' interest in implementing neurofeedback in their practices. The primary variables of interest were years in practice, cost as the main barrier to implementation, and type of practice setting. Surveys were completed online by licensed psychotherapists (N = 500). A logistic regression analysis found that, compared to those practicing in a solo private practice, psychotherapists practicing in community mental health clinics/agencies (adjusted OR: 1.77, 95% confidence interval, CI, [0.99, 3.15], p = .0524) and other outpatient settings (adjusted OR: 1.81, 95% CI [0.95, 3.44], p = .0708) had higher odds of being interested in neurofeedback. Finally, compared to those who did not believe that neurofeedback would be welcome in their practice setting or were unsure, those who reported believing neurofeedback would be welcome (adjusted OR: 3.38, 95% CI [2.18, 5.26], p < .0001) had much higher odds of being interested in neurofeedback. This study found that inner setting factors had the most significant association with psychotherapists' interest in implementing neurofeedback. These findings point to potential areas of focus to increase the uptake of neurofeedback in mental health care settings.