Abstract
Neurofeedback is a form of neuromodulation based on learning to modify some aspects of cortical activity. Sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) oscillation is one of the most used frequency bands in neurofeedback. Several studies have shown that subjects can learn to modulate SMR power to control output devices, but little is known about possible related changes in brain networks. The aim of this study was to investigate the enhanced performance and changes in EEG power spectral density at somatosensory cerebral areas due to a bidirectional modulation-based SMR neurofeedback training. Furthermore, we also analyzed the functional changes in somatosensory areas during resting state induced by the training as exploratory procedure. A six-session neurofeedback protocol based on learning to synchronize and desynchronize (modulate) the SMR was implemented. Moreover, half of the participants were enrolled in two functional magnetic resonance imaging resting-state sessions (before and after the training). At the end of the training, participants showed a successful performance enhancement, an increase in SMR power specific to somatosensory locations, and higher functional connectivity between areas associated with somatosensory activity in resting state. Our research increases the better understanding of the relation between EEG neuromodulation and functional changes and the use of SMR training in clinical practice.
Highlights
IntroductionSeveral studies have shown that subjects can learn to selfregulate different parameters of the EEG activity (i.e., amplitude, frequency, and/or coherence of EEG signal) through neurofeedback training [1, 2]
Several studies have shown that subjects can learn to selfregulate different parameters of the EEG activity through neurofeedback training [1, 2]
Neither were there any group differences on age (F 2, 14 = 1 018, p = 0 390, ηp2 = 0 145), Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) (F 2, 14 = 1 715, p = 0 221, ηp2 = 0 222), Movement Image Questionnaire (MIQ-R) (F 2, 14 = 0 767, p = 0 486, ηp2 = 0 113), STAI (F 2, 12 = 0 988, p = 0 401, ηp2 = 0 141), concentration (F 2, 12 = 3 810, p = 0 052, ηp2 = 0 388), or fatigue (F 2, 12 = 0 190, p = 0 829, ηp2 = 0 031) when subjects participating in the fMRI assessment sessions were separately analyzed (Table 3)
Summary
Several studies have shown that subjects can learn to selfregulate different parameters of the EEG activity (i.e., amplitude, frequency, and/or coherence of EEG signal) through neurofeedback training [1, 2]. SMR refers to oscillations between 8 and 30 Hz recorded mostly over somatosensory areas [4]. Their amplitude decreases during real movement [5] or during motor imagination [6]. A left/right hand motor imagery task shows a contralateral desynchronization (decreased amplitude) and ipsilateral synchronization (augmented amplitude) over somatosensory areas [7]. Several studies have shown that subjects can learn to self-modulate SMR amplitudes through motor imagery tasks to control output devices [8, 9]. Bidirectional modulation-based SMR neurofeedback training based on synchronization and desynchronization of the SMR during the same task has been
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