Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

[Rob Longo]

Colleagues:

Has anyone worked with Complex Reginal Pain Syndrome using neurofeedback, AVE, or Photobiomodulation/Near Infrared? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Be Well, Stay Safe

Rob

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[Saul Rosenthal]

I’ve worked with CRPS with neurofeedback, biofeedback, and CBT. It’s a tough nut to crack and cases can really vary from person to person. 

Despite early published reports, temperature training is not a good intervention. EMG downtraining, along with other ANS “de-activating” approaches can help.

I’ve used qEEG-informed neurofeedback. Almost universally I’ve used T3-T4, inhibiting theta and high beta and enhancing high alpha-low beta, based on qEEG and response. I’ve found that can be helpful. I understand that ILF has been used with success, but I’m not aware of anything published.

In fact, one of the only published neurofeedback studies is Jensen et al (2007): Neurofeedback Treatment for Pain Associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I

That’s published in the Journal of Neurotherapy, 11, 45-53. They used different combinations of bipolar training (T3-T4, P3-P4, etc.) based on symptom report.

I hope this is helpful.

Saul

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---------------------------------------
Saul Rosenthal, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Fellow, Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
Board Certified in Biofeedback, HRV Biofeedback, Neurofeedback, and Quantitative EEG

advancedbehavioral.care

Enjoy the podcast Healthy Brain Happy Body



617 340-2180

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[Lanier Fly]

Rob,

I have used neurofeedback in several cases of CRPS in the past and gotten good results and am currently using PBM in a few cases. My caseload is down to 10 -12 folks (an allowance for my age of almost 84) and my focus is on bringing NFB to Central and South America. If anyone wants to give me a call and talk over their cases, I am glad to share my experience. 

Lanny Fly

757-291-5808

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[Rob Longo]

Thank you Saul.   Much appreciated.

 

Rob

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[Rob Longo]

Thank you Lanny… much appreciated.

 

Rob

 

From: 'Lanier Fly' via ISNR_Members_Forum <isnr_memb...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 4:09 PM
To: isnr_memb...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

 

Rob,

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/isnr_members_forum/811782109.6849029.1778098144030%40mail.yahoo.com.

[JEFF CARMEN]

Rob,

I agree with Saul. In my early work with non contact infrared sensors, my first application was an attempt to help with RSD which was the previous term for CRPS. Since physical skin contact was painful, I wondered if training for increased blood flow using a non contact sensor would work. It did work in terms of increasing blood flow, but backfired in terms of also increasing pain levels.

Jeff Carmen

> On May 6, 2026, at 3:45 PM, Rob Longo <nfb...@outlook.com> wrote:
>

> Colleagues:

[Siegfried Othmer]

The study on CRPS that Saul referred to utilized our protocol schema from the 2006 time frame, just when we were making the transition to Infra-Low Frequency training. The published data refer solely to training done within the EEG spectral range, albeit largely at low EEG frequency, individualized on the basis of the Optimal Response Frequency Principle. 

The study was performed at a Chronic Pain Treatment Center, on the campus of the UCLA Medical School at the time, which has been using our method for over a quarter century in a multi-modal treatment program that also includes medical treatments, psychotherapy, and Alpha-Theta training. The NF training there was conducted over the years by Victoria Ibric, then Caroline Grierson, and currently Evvy Shapero. Under the guidance of Joshua Prager, MD, prior approval has been obtained from insurance companies to utilize these methods in parallel rather than sequentially, and that paid off for the insurance companies. 

Extension of the training into the ILF regime improved outcomes further, as a predominant fraction of patients also had a history of profound trauma. When it comes to such extreme cases of chronic pain, we may not able to remediate the chronic pain per se, which remains pegged at a rating of ten. However, we are able to improve the quality of life substantially. In such cases, it may transpire that the level of pain will no longer be queried, and the conversation going forward is about quality of life issues. 

This phenomenon was described by Reynolds Price in his book titled “A Whole New Life: An Illness and a Healing” (1994). He had suffered cancer of the spine and become wheel-chair bound. After conventional biofeedback, he was able to write (as best I recall): “If my pain were suddenly transferred to you, it would have you writhing on the floor, and yet it bothers me only about ten minutes a day.” 

In one instance, the individual found complete relief with a training session, but it did not last. With a morning session, the relief lasted only into the afternoon. A second session carried him the rest of the day. He ended up doing daily sessions at home, and then also discovered that marijuana extended the benefits of the training further.  

Siegfried Othmer, Ph.D.

Chief Scientist, The EEG Institute

Los Angeles

www.eeginfo.com

www.eeginstitute.com

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[KENNY, PETER]

Successful NFB treatment of 54 yo male with CRPS of lower extremity:  Z Score NFB protocol was utilized in 15 sessions over 10 weeks,  He had prior treatment with gabapentin, lamotrigine, amitriptyline, oxycontin, Physical Therapy, hypnosis and relaxation therapy.  He had prior treatments over a period of 3 years and was considered disabled from work.  None of these treatments resulted in improvement in functioning although he reported very mild improvement in subjective feeling.  NFB resulted in significant improvement in functioning and subjective pain perception.  He was able to return to work and  resume almost all premorbid activities including rigorous canoeing and portaging, yardwork, etc.

 

From: 'Lanier Fly' via ISNR_Members_Forum <isnr_memb...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 3:09 PM
To: isnr_memb...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

 

Rob,I have used neurofeedback in several cases of CRPS in the past and gotten good results and am currently using PBM in a few cases. My caseload is down to 10 -12 folks (an allowance for my age of almost 84) and my focus is on bringing NFB to Central and South America. If anyone wants to give me a

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/isnr_members_forum/BN9PR11MB545194C582...@BN9PR11MB5451.namprd11.prod.outlook.com.

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[lrob...@gmail.com]

Thank you Jeff

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From: isnr_memb...@googlegroups.com <isnr_memb...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of JEFF CARMEN
Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 4:27 PM
To: isnr_memb...@googlegroups.com
Cc: Members Forum ISNR <isnr_memb...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

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