Changes in Spectral Power and Functional Connectivity of Response-Conflict Task After Neurofeedback Training

Rab Nawaz,Yap Vooi Voon,Humaira Nisar

doi:10.1109/access.2020.3012565

Rab Nawaz, Yap Vooi Voon + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2020.3012565

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Abstract

Neurofeedback training (NFT) teaches self-control of brain activity to the subjects by measuring brain waves and providing a feedback signal in real time. NFT is considered to be a promising tool for healthy people to enhance cognition, however its specific effects on response-conflict are unknown. This study employed 50 healthy participants into two groups (NFT group = 25, control group = 25), in order to explore the NFT effects towards response-conflict resolution phenomenon. Changes in Absolute power and functional connectivity in different bands of response-conflict EEG, were investigated. The EEG of each participant was recorded while performing a response-conflict task before and after NFT. The results show an increase in theta and alpha band powers and functional connectivity. No training specific modulation is observed in beta band functional connectivity. A significant improvement in theta and alpha band functional connectivity is observed in the NFT group that is not present in the control group. These findings provide a strong rationale for the use of NFT in the resolution of response-conflict phenomenon in healthy human beings.

Highlights

A balanced control over brain activity is very important for better cognitive ability and is required for accurate and fast performance
In the control group the main significant effect was observed only by congruency condition [F(3, 69) = 48.644, p < 0.000, ηp2 = 0.679] and not by the training factor [F(1, 23) = 2.552, p = 0.124, ηp2 = 0.100]. These results suggest that the increase in alpha Inter-Site Phase Clustering (ISPC) in the Neurofeedback training (NFT) group was driven by training as this effect was absent in the control group
Overall in theta band, fronto-parietal connectivity increased after neurofeedback training in the NFT group, which is not observed in the control group

Summary

Introduction

A balanced control over brain activity is very important for better cognitive ability and is required for accurate and fast performance The level of this control among different people is different and is studied by the changes in response time (RTs) and response accuracy (RA) in response-conflict tasks, such as the Stroop task [1]. The task’s irrelevant features (incongruent features) embedded in the stimulus structure tries to divert the attention of the performer resulting in slower RTs and less RA [2]. This effect is called; the congruency effect.

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