Abstract
Neurofeedback (NF) is being successfully applied, among others, in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and as a peak performance training in healthy subjects. However, the neuronal mechanisms mediating a successful NF training have not yet been sufficiently uncovered for both theta/beta (T/B), and slow cortical potential (SCP) training, two protocols established in NF in ADHD. In the present, randomized, controlled investigation in adults without a clinical diagnosis (n = 59), the specificity of the effects of these two NF protocols on attentional processes and motor system excitability were to be examined, focusing on the underlying neuronal mechanisms. Neurofeedback training consisted of 10 double sessions, and self-regulation skills were analyzed. Pre- and post-training assessments encompassed performance and event-related potential measures during an attention task, and motor system excitability assessed by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Some NF protocol-specific effects have been obtained. However, due to the limited sample size medium effects did not reach the level of significance. Self-regulation abilities during negativity trials of the SCP training were associated with increased contingent negative variation amplitudes, indicating improved resource allocation during cognitive preparation. Theta/beta training was associated with increased response speed and decreased target-P3 amplitudes after successful theta/beta regulation suggested reduced attentional resources necessary for stimulus evaluation. Motor system excitability effects after theta/beta training paralleled the effects of methylphenidate. Overall, our results are limited by the non-sufficiently acquired self-regulation skills, but some specific effects between good and poor learners could be described. Future studies with larger sample sizes and sufficient acquisition of self-regulation skills are needed to further evaluate the protocol-specific effects on attention and motor system excitability reported.
Highlights
During neurofeedback (NF) training individuals learn to acquire self-regulation skills of particular brain activity patterns by receiving positive feedback on brain activity changes in the desired direction
Theta/beta training was associated with increased response speed and decreased target-P3 amplitudes after successful theta/beta regulation suggested reduced attentional resources necessary for stimulus evaluation
Our study revealed a trend for training effects on short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), which was related to an increase in SICI after theta/beta training as indicated by a large effect size for the T/B vs. control training (CON) and by a medium effect size for T/B vs. slow cortical potential (SCP) group
Summary
During neurofeedback (NF) training individuals learn to acquire self-regulation skills of particular brain activity patterns by receiving positive feedback on brain activity changes in the desired direction. By training to acquire a specific brain state, NF aims at enhancing the mental state associated with this brain state, and thereby improving behavioral self-regulation in daily life situations (Gevensleben et al, 2012; Moriyama et al, 2012). A whole variety of NF protocols has been developed in order to target different mental states and associated behavior. Two basic types of NF protocols can be distinguished: frequency band training and training of slow cortical potentials (SCPs). One established frequency band training is the theta/beta training which aims at enhancing a state of sustained attention by reinforcing reductions in theta (4–8 Hz) and increases in beta (13–20 Hz) amplitudes recorded at the vertex (Cz)
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