The effect of alpha theta brainwave production on self-efficacy in the treatment of substance abuse

Two new brief treatments, Alpha Theta Brainwave Training (ATBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) were compared to Systematic Muscle Relaxation (SMR) training during the treatment of 45 hospitalized veterans in the Chemical Dependency Treatment Program of the Fresno Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Fifteen veterans were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, ATBT, EMDR, and SMR, to investigate whether these treatments affected self-efficacy, or confidence in the ability to resist the urge to drink. In behavioral change, self-efficacy levels are consistent predictors of short and long-term success. It was hypothesized that the greater the amount of time spent in theta brainwave frequency (4-8 Hz) during treatment, the greater the increase in self-efficacy. Brainwave activity, temperature, skin conductance and electromyographic levels were recorded during the treatment sessions. Measures of self-efficacy, self-efficacy expectancy, outcome expectancy, and level of overall physical and emotional symptoms were taken before and after treatment. Results indicated that all treatments increased self-efficacy and decreased overall physical and emotional symptoms in alcoholic subjects. Overall, there was no significant difference in the amount of time spent in theta brainwave frequency between groups, but results indicated that the treatments did produce a significant difference in the amount of time spent in theta brainwave frequency between the first and last treatment sessions in the groups.

Dissertation/Thesis

English

Frances Josephine Cole

Cole, F. J. (1997, November). The effect of alpha theta brainwave production on self-efficacy in the treatment of substance abuse. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 58(5-B), 2667