Neurofeedback in Decreasing Acute Radiotherapy-Induced Pain in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the effects of an individualized LORETA (low resolution electromagnetic tomography) Z score neurofeedback program on changes in brain function using EEG (electroencephalography), qEEG (quantitative electroencephalography), and LORETA from immediately before to after each session in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy and experiencing pain. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. Examine the effects of an individualized LORETA Z score neurofeedback program on perceptions of radiation-induced pain in head and neck cancer patients from immediately before neurofeedback training to immediately after neurofeedback training. II. Identify brain regions from qEEG and LORETA that are associated with a non-pain state and then an acute pain state. III. Examine the relationship between the patient and their spouse or primary caregiver. OUTLINE: Beginning at weeks 4 and 5 or 5 and 6 of radiotherapy, patients undergo neurofeedback training once per day (QID) three times per week (TIW) for up to 6 treatments. Patients also complete questionnaires over 10 minutes at baseline and after neurofeedback training. After completion of study, patients are followed up at 1 week.