Does Double Biofeedback Affect Functional Hemispheric Asymmetry and Activity? A Pilot Study

Valeriia Demareva,Elena Mukhina,Ildar Abitov,Tatiana Bobro

doi:10.3390/sym13060937

Abstract

In the current pilot study, we attempt to find out how double neurofeedback influences functional hemispheric asymmetry and activity. We examined 30 healthy participants (8 males; 22 females, mean age = 29; SD = 8). To measure functional hemispheric asymmetry and activity, we used computer laterometry in the ‘two-source’ lead-lag dichotic paradigm. Double biofeedback included 8 min of EEG oscillation recording with five minutes of basic mode. During the basic mode, the current amplitude of the EEG oscillator gets transformed into feedback sounds while the current amplitude of alpha EEG oscillator is used to modulate the intensity of light signals. Double neurofeedback did not directly influence the asymmetry itself but accelerated individual sound perception characteristics during dichotic listening in the preceding effect paradigm. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of double neurofeedback training on functional brain activity and asymmetry, taking into account participants’ age, gender, and motivation.

Highlights

We will be referring to the dynamic nature of functional hemispheric asymmetry which is expressed in the asymmetry of hemispheric relations conditioned by the distribution of neuronal activity over symmetrical brain structures in the right and in the left hemisphere
We suggest that biofeedback can be used as a noninvasive way to change functional hemispheric asymmetry and activity for the following reasons
The analysis of functional hemispheric activity was performed by three criteria: (1) hemispheric dominance before and after the biofeedback; (2) statistical significance of functional brain asymmetry coefficient changes by lability, excitability, and stability; (3) individual analysis of the dynamics of hemispheric activity dominance as to lability, excitability, stability

Summary

Introduction

Modern cognitive science should develop technologies that could exploit functional brain asymmetry and activity. Functional hemispheric asymmetry describes functional difference between symmetric brain structures. The asymmetry of functional brain relations can be modulated under different manipulations [4]. Right-handers may have a greater level of nonspecific activation in the right or in the left hemisphere in a particular state. Functional brain asymmetry is determined by a person’s functional state, which is defined as the dynamic nature of functional hemispheric asymmetry [4]. We will be referring to the dynamic nature of functional hemispheric asymmetry which is expressed in the asymmetry of hemispheric relations conditioned by the distribution of neuronal activity over symmetrical brain structures in the right and in the left hemisphere

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion