Neurofeedback Treatment of Pain in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

During this phase of the study, research personnel will provide up to 15 of the subjects
with SCI-related pain with a full course (up to 40 sessions) of NF training to determine the
effects of this treatment on (a) chronic daily pain, (b) EEG-assessed frequency band
amplitudes, and (c) other measures of quality of life (specifically, sleep quality, fatigue,
and pain interference).

Standard NF training procedures will be used that involve simply asking participants to
relax while looking at the feedback screen and to "Do whatever is necessary to make and keep
the color bar wide." EEG bandwidth activity that is associated with being pain-free or with
experiencing less pain will be reinforced. This protocol will be repeated for up to 40
30-minute sessions, scheduled at least weekly (but more often if the participant and study
PI can arrange this with their schedules. Brain wave activity will be measured three times
during the study: once before treatment begins, once immediately after treatment ends, and
three months following treatment. Research staff will collect data regarding pain intensity
and quality of life from subjects via the telephone three times: before treatment,
immediately after treatment, and three months after treatment ends.