The Impact of Upper Alpha Neurofeedback Training on Executive Functions of the Female Students of Kurdistan University with Academic Burnout Syndrome and Depression Symptoms

This study was conducted to examine the impact of upper alpha neurofeedback training on executive functions of the female students of the University of Kurdistan with academic burnout syndrome and depression symptoms. A semi-experimental method designed with control and experimental groups, undergoing pre-test and post-test used. The subjects were selected from the female students of the University of Kurdistan in academic year 2015-2016, and using the volunteer sampling. In terms of method, first screening test of Beck depression and Maslach academic burnout among students 19 to 25 years old were distributed, and then based on score questionnaire, students who were average scores in both questionnaires were selected and among those who were eligible for the study, 34 people have volunteered to participate in this study, and the subjects were placed randomly in experimental (n = 17), and control (n = 17) groups, and then responded to theStroop color- word and Wisconsin card sorting computer trials and letter – number span test. Neurofeedback sessions was held for the experimental group in psychology laboratory at the University of Kurdistan, and for each person over a period of 10 sessions (2 times a week for 45 minutes). Neurofeedback protocols were using upper alpha waves in the parieto- occipital area (P3, PZ, P4, O1, 02) of the scalp and particular point PZ. After three sessions, two members of the experimental group withdrew from further cooperation. After the end of sessions both groups were assessed and data were analyzed using analysis of MANCOVA and SPSS18 software. The results showed that upper alpha neurofeedback training has a significant effect on executive functions in the female students of the University of Kurdistan academic burnout syndrome and depression symptom (p