The Effectiveness of Cognitive Rehabilitation on Anxiety Reduction and Brainwave Pattern in Patients with Anxiety Disorder

Studies have shown that brain waves are anomalously active in anxiety patients, but so far, no interventional studies have been performed. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation on reducing anxiety and brain wave pattern in patients with anxiety. Anxiety disorder was widespread.

This study was quasi-experimental. The statistical population of this study was that all patients with generalized anxiety disorder referred to Tabriz psychiatric centers in 2018. Thirty anxious patients were selected after the psychiatristchr('39')s diagnosis and were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. Then both groups were assessed for alpha and theta wave PZ area as well as anxiety severity (Beck Anxiety Inventory) (pre-test). Then the experimental group underwent cognitive rehabilitation for 12 sessions of 60 minutes. They received the relevant training, and in the end, in order to assess the differences, the above tests were repeated on both experimental and control groups (post-test). Data were analyzed using Neuroguid and SPSS 23 software.

The analysis of the present data showed that cognitive rehabilitation reduced anxiety scores in patients with a generalized anxiety disorder (P < 0/01) and also reduced the alpha wave and theta wave of anxiety in PZ patients (P < 0/01).

Based on results, cognitive rehabilitation can be used as an effective treatment for reducing anxiety.