Dubin Clinic-NFL Study

Preliminary Findings

For part of 2013 and most of 2014 The Dubin Clinic ran a formal, Independent Review Board (IRB) approved research study. Dr. David Dubin was the primary investigator and George Rozelle, Ph.D., Michael Mark, Ph.D., and Meg Stuppy BS were Co-Investigators.

The study, which has not yet been submitted for publication, compared the clinical status of 10 former NFL players with varying degrees of post-concussive syndrome both before and after treatment with Direct Neurofeedback (vs traditional, or indirect neurofeedback.

All ten players improved both clinically and statistically in terms of symptoms, cognitive findings and brain maps (quantitative EEGs).

Comments on the effects by 3 of the former NFL players.

The pre and post testing included the Rivermead Post Concussion Questionnaire, the King-Devick test and the ImPact test for cognitive functioning, the Sway/Balance for equilibrium and brain maps (qEEEG).

Although only ten players were treated, initial evaluations were done on twenty players. The frequencies of symptoms are in the charts.

Even though this was not a double blind study, the fact that ten out of ten players significantly improved (both statistically and clinically) is quite remarkable. This is particularly true because the treatment is for a disorder–traumatic brain injury (TBI)–for which there has essentially been no effective and consistent treatment.

More results of the study will be available in the near future. We are, while very optimistic, not very surprised at the results. In our clinical practice using Direct Neurofeedback and in the practice of others using earlier versions of this technology, improvement is the rule, rather than the exception, in treating mild to medium to medium/severe TBI.