Abstract
BackgroundEffect of neurofeedback training (NFT) on enhancement of cognitive function or amelioration of clinical symptoms is inconclusive. The trainability of brain rhythm using a neurofeedback system is uncertainty because various experimental designs are used in previous studies. The current study aimed to develop a portable wireless NFT system for alpha rhythm and to validate effect of the NFT system on memory with a sham-controlled group.MethodsThe proposed system contained an EEG signal analysis device and a smartphone with wireless Bluetooth low-energy technology. Instantaneous 1-s EEG power and contiguous 5-min EEG power throughout the training were developed as feedback information. The training performance and its progression were kept to boost usability of our device. Participants were blinded and randomly assigned into either the control group receiving random 4-Hz power or Alpha group receiving 8–12-Hz power. Working memory and episodic memory were assessed by the backward digital span task and word-pair task, respectively.ResultsThe portable neurofeedback system had advantages of a tiny size and long-term recording and demonstrated trainability of alpha rhythm in terms of significant increase of power and duration of 8–12 Hz. Moreover, accuracies of the backward digital span task and word-pair task showed significant enhancement in the Alpha group after training compared to the control group.ConclusionsOur tiny portable device demonstrated success trainability of alpha rhythm and enhanced two kinds of memories. The present study suggest that the portable neurofeedback system provides an alternative intervention for memory enhancement.
Highlights
Effect of neurofeedback training (NFT) on enhancement of cognitive function or amelioration of clinical symptoms is inconclusive
A portable system based on low-power wireless Bluetooth technology was developed for NFT of EEG’s alpha rhythm
The findings demonstrate the effect of alpha rhythm on both working memory and episodic memory, which extends the findings on enhancement of working memory and attention in before and after the neurofeedback training of the two groups. *p < 0.05 when compared with the pretest; #p < 0.05 when compared with the Control with Bonferroni correction previous studies [9, 10, 26]
Summary
Effect of neurofeedback training (NFT) on enhancement of cognitive function or amelioration of clinical symptoms is inconclusive. The current study aimed to develop a portable wireless NFT system for alpha rhythm and to validate effect of the NFT system on memory with a sham-controlled group. Users can learn to control their brain activities through a neurofeedback apparatus. Neurofeedback training (NFT) of alpha rhythm is employed quite frequently as a treatment for several clinical disorders such as anxiety [5] or depression [6]. In addition to clinical application, NFT of alpha rhythm is assessed on cognitive function in healthy subjects [2]. Some studies have no enhancement in memory or cognitive function with altered amplitude or peak frequency of alpha rhythm [11,12,13]. Can we develop and validate a possible NFT apparatus for a long-term training with a great usability? That will be very important to increase training sessions of the NFT under laboratory/clinical settings or daily environment
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