title: Neurotherapy As a Catalyst in the Treatment of Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivorship.
abstract: Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) have produced mixed and often disappointing results. Treatment using the Flexyx Neurotherapy System (FNS), a novel variant of electroencephalograph biofeedback that involves minutely pulsed electromagnetic (EM) stimulation of brainwave functioning, was explored to determine utility for alleviating CRF in a 45-year-old woman who had debilitating fatigue with onset during chemotherapy for stage II infiltrating right breast cancer, who had been free of signs of disease for over five years, and who had been struggling to increase her activity level and engage in regular exercise without benefit. FNS was administered in 10 weekly sessions. Alleviation of fatigue and other potentially interrelated symptoms (cognitive clouding, sleep disturbance, pain, and negative mood/emotions) and overall greater activity level was sustained at six-month follow-up. Very low energy EM brainwave stimulation therapies such as FNS may contribute to an enlivening of drive to engage in greater energized activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Box 2447, Huntsville, TX 77341. Electronic address: nelsondv@shsu.edu.
authors.forename: David V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Brain Wellness and Biofeedback Center of Washington, Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: Mary Lee
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Esty
mesh_terms: D058256:Brain Waves; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy; D060733:Electromagnetic Radiation; D015444:Exercise; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D058765:Neurofeedback; D010146:Pain; D011788:Quality of Life; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D017741:Survivors
keywords: EEG biofeedback; breast cancer; exercise; fatigue; neurofeedback; neurotherapy