Short-Form, Comedy Improv Affects the Functional Connectivity in the Brain of Adolescents with Complex Developmental Trauma as Measured by qEEG: A Single Group Pilot Study
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Study at a glance
- Area
- PTSD & Trauma
- Study type
- Pilot / open study
- Authors
- DeMichele M, Kuenneke S
- Journal
- NeuroRegulation
- Year
- 2021
- Participants
- 32
- Population
- Adolescents
- Protocol
- Short-form improv games (One Rule Improv); QEEG and LORETA before and after
- Sessions
- 1 (20 minutes)
Key findings
- 32 adolescents with complex developmental trauma; one 20-minute improv session
- Coherence increased in delta, theta, alpha and beta; phase lag decreased
- LORETA changes at Brodmann areas 6, 10 and 24, among others
- Single group, measured straight after one session; no follow-up
A single-group pilot study of 32 adolescents with complex developmental trauma, recorded with eyes-open QEEG before and after one 20-minute session of short-form improv games. After the session, coherence rose across the delta to beta bands, phase lag fell, and LORETA showed changes in motor, frontal and cingulate regions. The authors read this as early evidence that improv may support connection and neuroplastic change in this group; there was no comparison group and no follow-up.