Effect of the neurofeedback/emotion-focused combination couple therapy on brain wave activities and marital adjustment in Anxious-Avoidant Couples (a comparative study)

This research compares the effect of neurofeedback and the neurofeedback and emotion-focused combination couple therapy on brain waves and marital adjustment in avoidant-anxious couples. The research was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design, and control and follow-up group. Its statistical population included all anxious-avoidant couples referring to medical and counseling centers in Ahvaz in 2018. For this purpose, we selected 30 couples with anxious and avoidant attachment styles through sampling at convenience. For data collection, the Collins and Reed Attachment Questionnaire, and the Locke – Wallace Marital Adjustment Questionnaire along with the QEEG was appropriate.

We applied repeated measurement statistical tests to analyze the data and compare the two research variables.

In short, the results of this research showed that both neurofeedback and combination therapies had a significant effect on brain waves and marital adjustment. The increase in mean brain waves and marital adjustment of avoidant couples was more than that of anxious ones. A comparison of experimental groups with the Bonferroni test showed that the group receiving combination therapy showed more changes in brain waves and marital adjustment. Because the effect of neurofeedback therapy significantly was lower compared to combination one in terms of brain waves and marital adjustment. We should note that these results continued in the follow-up phase. According to the results, the combination of neurofeedback therapy with emotion-focused one has increased the effectiveness of treatment and improved brain waves and marital adjustment. Avoidant couples had better results than anxious ones. Overall, emotion-focused and neurofeedback combination therapy was more effective than specific therapies in improving brainwaves and adjustment among couples with avoidant attachment styles. Accordingly, we recommend the development of appropriate intervention programs to strengthen the marital adjustment of avoidant and anxious couples for solving their difficulties.