| Managing the symptoms of chronic disorders such as diabetes mellitus has always been a challenge, both for the patients and for the professionals in the medical and behavioral sciences. Individuals with diabetes mellitus work to reduce the fluctuations of their blood glucose levels as a critical factor to help prevent or delay the onset of its long-term complications, such as nerve, eye, and kidney damage. Applying medical care plans, such as insulin therapy, seems inadequate to manage the disease symptoms satisfactorily.; Diabetes mellitus affects the individual's quality of life profoundly. Many diabetics are overwhelmed by the complications of their disease, leading to poorer self-care and an increased risk for complications. Psychosocial factors, including depression and anxiety, are strong predictors of the medical treatment outcomes among diabetic individuals. Stressful life events are associated with elevated blood glucose levels and poor self-care among these individuals.; Advancements in the areas of computer and EEG have made it possible for researchers to empirically quantify biological activities and to teach people how to control the autonomic activities of their bodies. Biofeedback and neurofeedback training have helped diabetic individuals deal with their disease symptoms, thus improving their quality of life through stress management.; The present study is a qualitative research project, utilizing multiple-case study design. Two adult female participants with type I diabetes mellitus, who were on insulin pumps, received 20 sessions of neurofeedback training. The goal was to find out how the participants would describe their quality of life experiences from receiving the training. They report their experiences as rewarding ones that helped improve their quality of life. The quantitative data show some improvement in the participants' blood glucose levels, fluctuations, and symptoms. The results also demonstrate some decrease in the dosages of insulin taken by the participants during the study. In addition, the study examines the effectiveness and the specifics of the neurofeedback training protocols. The researcher utilized two monopolar (C3, C4) and interhemispheric (C3-C4) protocols, which were found to be useful in training these participants. |
