Neurofeedback Training Research Articles

Cryptographic Algorithm Designed by Extracting Brainwave Patterns

A new authentication method based on EEG signal is proposed here. Biometric features such as fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, iris scanning, voice recognition, and even brainwave patterns can be used for authentication methods. Brainwave patterns, also known as brain biometrics, can be captured using technologies like electroencephalography (EEG) to authenticate a user based on their unique brain activity. This method is still in the research phase and is not yet commonly used for authentication purposes. Extracting EEG features for authentication typically involves signal processing techniques to analyze the brainwave patterns. Here, a method based on statistics for extracting EEG features is designed to extract meaningful information and patterns from the brainwave data for various applications, including authentication, brain–computer interface systems, and neurofeedback training.

Brain regulation training improves emotional competences in patients with alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined as the impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences and still represents one of the biggest challenges for society regarding health conditions, social consequences, and financial costs, including the high relapse rates after traditional alcohol rehabilitation treatment. Especially, the deficient emotional competence in AUD is said to play a key role in the development of AUD and hinders the interruption of substance compulsion, often leading to a viscous circle of relapse. Although the empirical evidence of a neurophysiological basis of AUD is solid and increases even further, clinical interventions based on neurophysiology are still rare for individuals with AUD. This randomized controlled trial investigates changes in emotional competences, alcohol-related cognitions, and drinking behavior before and after an established alcohol rehabilitation treatment (control group: nCG = 29) compared to before and after an optimized, add-on neurofeedback (NF) training (experimental group: nEG = 27). Improvements on the clinical-psychological level, i.e. increases in emotional competences as well as life satisfaction, were found after the experimental electroencephalography (EEG) NF training. Neurophysiological measurements via resting-state EEG indicate decreases in low beta frequency band, while alpha and theta bands remained unaffected.

There is No Supporting Evidence for a Far Transfer of General Perceptual or Cognitive Training to Sports Performance.

In this opinion piece I reiterate the concepts of near and far transfer as previously described in the psychological literature. I show that despite very limited evidence, many technologies, tools and methods make questionable claims of eliciting far transfer from generic perceptual and/or cognitive training to sports performance. Specifically, this commentary illustrates with studies on stroboscopic vision, neurofeedback training and executive functions that the claims made for the beneficial effects of these training methods are currently unsubstantiated. I conclude that greater scrutiny by researchers is needed in order to assist practitioners to make better-informed decisions about tools, methods and technologies that may aid sports performance.

Development of neurofeedback training competencies for counselors: A Delphi study

AbstractA three‐round Delphi method surveyed 17 experts, identifying 108 essential neurofeedback competencies for counselors‐in‐training. This research addresses concerns about the impact of neuro‐informed practices on counselor identity and scope of practice, providing a foundation for incorporating neurofeedback training into counselor education.

EEG decoding with spatiotemporal convolutional neural network for visualization and closed-loop control of sensorimotor activities: A simultaneous EEG-fMRI study.

Closed-loop neurofeedback training utilizes neural signals such as scalp electroencephalograms (EEG) to manipulate specific neural activities and the associated behavioral performance. A spatiotemporal filter for high-density whole-head scalp EEG using a convolutional neural network can overcome the ambiguity of the signaling source because each EEG signal includes information on the remote regions. We simultaneously acquired EEG and functional magnetic resonance images in humans during the brain-computer interface (BCI) based neurofeedback training and compared the reconstructed and modeled hemodynamic responses of the sensorimotor network. Filters constructed with a convolutional neural network captured activities in the targeted network with spatial precision and specificity superior to those of the EEG signals preprocessed with standard pipelines used in BCI-based neurofeedback paradigms. The middle layers of the trained model were examined to characterize the neuronal oscillatory features that contributed to the reconstruction. Analysis of the layers for spatial convolution revealed the contribution of distributed cortical circuitries to reconstruction, including the frontoparietal and sensorimotor areas, and those of temporal convolution layers that successfully reconstructed the hemodynamic response function. Employing a spatiotemporal filter and leveraging the electrophysiological signatures of the sensorimotor excitability identified in our middle layer analysis would contribute to the development of a further effective neurofeedback intervention.

Exploring the efficacy of neurofeedback training in modulating alpha-frequency band and its effects on functional connectivity and band power

Electroencephalogram (EEG) based neurofeedback training (NFT) has shown to be effective in clinical applications, but healthy participants can also benefit from NFT. This research investigates the effect of 20 NFT sessions with frontal alpha Band Power (α-BP) as feedback on healthy participants by analyzing physiological and behavioral changes. The study participants were divided into two groups (n = 25), i.e., the Training Group (TG) and the control group (CG). Participants performed cognitive tasks, (attention network task (ANT), STROOP, and N-Back), and behavioral tests (MMSE, PSS, and SAM) at three stages: pre-NFT, mid-NFT, and post-NFT. Although the changes were not statistically significant, the behavioral tests showed improvement from pre-to-post stages. The TG showed a significant post-NFT decrease in response time (RT) in the ANT, indicating improved attention. However, the N-Back and STROOP task results show a non-significant change. BP analysis revealed a significant increase in alpha (α) and beta (β) BP from pre-NFT to post-NFT. Attention and memory enhancement, cognitive inhibition, and induced relaxation were inferred by an increase in α-BP in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. Increased frontal and parietal β-BP show cognitive inhibition and auditory attention. Increased frontal lobe α Functional Connectivity (FC) represents enhanced attention, working memory, and decision-making. Increased temporal β-FC shows auditory perception and memory processing. The results signify the effectiveness of NFT in cognitive development.

Enhancing Working Memory and Reducing Anxiety in University Students: A Neurofeedback Approach.

(1) Background: Neurofeedback training (NFT) has emerged as a promising approach for enhancing cognitive functions and reducing anxiety, yet its specific impact on university student populations requires further investigation. This study aims to examine the effects of NFT on working memory improvement and anxiety reduction within this demographic. (2) Methods: A total of forty healthy university student volunteers were randomized into two groups: an experimental group that received NFT and a control group. The NFT protocol was administered using a 14-channel Emotiv Epoc X headset (EMOTIV, Inc., San Francisco, CA 94102, USA) and BrainViz software version Brain Visualizer 1.1 (EMOTIV, Inc., San Francisco, CA 94102, USA), focusing on the alpha frequency band to target improvements in working memory and reductions in anxiety. Assessment tools, including the Corsi Block and Memory Span tests for working memory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-2 (STAI-2) for anxiety, were applied pre- and post-intervention. (3) Results: The findings indicated an increase in alpha wave amplitude in the experimental group from the second day of NFT, with statistically significant differences observed on days 2 (p < 0.05) and 8 (p < 0.01). Contrary to expectations based on the previous literature, the study did not observe a concurrent positive impact on working memory. Nonetheless, a significant reduction in state anxiety levels was recorded in the experimental group (p < 0.001), corroborating NFT's potential for anxiety management. (4) Conclusions: While these results suggest some potential of the technique in enhancing neural efficiency, the variability across different days highlights the need for further investigation to fully ascertain its effectiveness. The study confirms the beneficial impact of NFT on reducing state anxiety among university students, underscoring its value in psychological and cognitive performance enhancement. Despite the lack of observed improvements in working memory, these results highlight the need for continued exploration of NFT applications across different populations and settings, emphasizing its potential utility in educational and therapeutic contexts.

Musical Neurofeedback Advancements, Feedback Modalities, and Applications: A Systematic Review.

The field of EEG-Neurofeedback (EEG-NF) training has showcased significant promise in treating various mental disorders, while also emerging as a cognitive enhancer across diverse applications. The core principle of EEG-NF involves consciously guiding the brain in desired directions, necessitating active engagement in neurofeedback (NF) tasks over an extended period. Music listening tasks have proven to be effective stimuli for such training, influencing emotions, mood, and brainwave patterns. This has spurred the development of musical NF systems and training protocols. Despite these advancements, there exists a gap in systematic literature that comprehensively explores and discusses the various modalities of feedback mechanisms, its benefits, and the emerging applications. Addressing this gap, our review article presents a thorough literature survey encompassing studies on musical NF conducted over the past decade. This review highlights the several benefits and applications ranging from neurorehabilitation to therapeutic interventions, stress management, diagnostics of neurological disorders, and sports performance enhancement. While acknowledged for advantages and popularity of musical NF, there is an opportunity for growth in the literature in terms of the need for systematic randomized controlled trials to compare its effectiveness with other modalities across different tasks. Addressing this gap will involve developing standardized methodologies for studying protocols and optimizing parameters, presenting an exciting prospect for advancing the field.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy-based neurofeedback training regulates time-on-task effects and enhances sustained cognitive performance.

Time-on-task effect is a common consequence of long-term cognitive demand work, which reflects reduced behavioral performance and increases the risk of accidents. Neurofeedback is a neuromodulation method that can guide individuals to regulate their brain activity and manifest as changes in related symptoms and cognitive behaviors. This study aimed to examine the effects of functional near-infrared spectroscopy-based neurofeedback training on time-on-task effects and sustained cognitive performance. A randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled study was performed: 17 participants received feedback signals of their own dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity (neurofeedback group), and 16 participants received feedback signals of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity from the neurofeedback group (sham-neurofeedback group). All participants received 5 neurofeedback training sessions and completed 2 sustained cognitive tasks, including a 2-back task and a psychomotor vigilance task, to evaluate behavioral performance changes following neurofeedback training. Results showed that neurofeedback relative to the sham-neurofeedback group exhibited increased dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation, increased accuracy in the 2-back task, and decreased mean response time in the psychomotor vigilance task after neurofeedback training. In addition, the neurofeedback group showed slower decline performance during the sustained 2-back task after neurofeedback training compared with sham-neurofeedback group. These findings demonstrate that neurofeedback training could regulate time-on-task effects on difficult task and enhance performance on sustained cognitive tasks by increasing dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity.

Pretraining alpha rhythm enhancement by neurofeedback facilitates short-term perceptual learning and improves visual acuity by facilitated consolidation.

Learning through perceptual training using the Gabor patch (GP) has attracted attention as a new vision restoration technique for myopia and age-related deterioration of visual acuity (VA). However, the task itself is monotonous and painful and requires numerous training sessions and some time before being effective, which has been a challenge for its widespread application. One effective means of facilitating perceptual learning is the empowerment of EEG alpha rhythm in the sensory cortex before neurofeedback (NF) training; however, there is a lack of evidence for VA. We investigated whether four 30-min sessions of GP training, conducted over 2 weeks with/without EEG NF to increase alpha power (NF and control group, respectively), can improve vision in myopic subjects. Contrast sensitivity (CS) and VA were measured before and after each GP training. The NF group showed an improvement in CS at the fourth training session, not observed in the control group. In addition, VA improved only in the NF group at the third and fourth training sessions, this appears as a consolidation effect (maintenance of the previous training effect). Participants who produced stronger alpha power during the third training session showed greater VA recovery during the fourth training session. These results indicate that enhanced pretraining alpha empowerment strengthens the subsequent consolidation of perceptual learning and that even a short period of GP training can have a positive effect on VA recovery. This simple protocol may facilitate use of a training method to easily recover vision.

Sensorimotor rhythm neurofeedback training in the treatment of borderline personality disorder: report of two cases

Sensorimotor rhythm neurofeedback training in the treatment of borderline personality disorder: report of two cases

Effects of School-Based Neurofeedback Training on Attention in Students with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities.

In this study we aimed to assess the influence of school-based neurofeedback training on the attention of students with autism and intellectual disabilities. We assessed 24 students of a special education center who attended neurofeedback training sessions during the schoolyear; we also assessed 25 controls from the same center. We used two computer tasks to assess sustained attention in simple and cognitively demanding test situations, and we used a pen-and-paper task to assess selective attention. Each student who took part in the study was tested at the beginning and at the end of the schoolyear. Students from the experimental group significantly improved their performance in the task related to sustained attention to simple stimuli. No performance improvement related to neurofeedback treatment was observed in either sustained attention in cognitively demanding situations or selective attention. School-based neurofeedback training may improve sustained attention to simple stimuli in students with developmental disabilities.

Mu-Suppression Neurofeedback Training Targeting the Mirror Neuron System: A Pilot Study

Neurofeedback training (NFT) is a promising adjuvant intervention method. The desynchronization of mu rhythm (8–13 Hz) in the electroencephalogram (EEG) over centro-parietal areas is known as a valid indicator of mirror neuron system (MNS) activation, which has been associated with social skills. Still, the effect of neurofeedback training on the MNS requires to be well investigated. The present study examined the possible impact of NFT with a mu suppression training protocol encompassing 15 NFT sessions (45 min each) on 16 healthy neurotypical participants. In separate pre- and post-training sessions, 64-channel EEG was recorded while participants (1) observed videos with various types of movements (including complex goal-directed hand movements and social interaction scenes) and (2) performed the "Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test" (RMET). EEG source reconstruction analysis revealed statistically significant mu suppression during hand movement observation across MNS-attributed fronto-parietal areas after NFT. The frequency analysis showed no significant mu suppression after NFT, despite the fact that numerical mu suppression appeared to be visible in a majority of participants during goal-directed hand movement observation. At the behavioral level, RMET accuracy scores did not suggest an effect of NFT on the ability to interpret subtle emotional expressions, although RMET response times were reduced after NFT. In conclusion, the present study exhibited preliminary and partial evidence that mu suppression NFT can induce mu suppression in MNS-attributed areas. More powerful experimental designs and longer training may be necessary to induce substantial and consistent mu suppression, particularly while observing social scenarios.

Neurofeedback training can increase the effectiveness of neuromuscular training on balance and limit of stability of athletes with chronic ankle instability: three arms and single-blind randomized control trial

Neurofeedback training can increase the effectiveness of neuromuscular training on balance and limit of stability of athletes with chronic ankle instability: three arms and single-blind randomized control trial

Addressing Motor Imagery Performance Bias in Neurofeedback Training to Improve BCI Performance

Addressing Motor Imagery Performance Bias in Neurofeedback Training to Improve BCI Performance

Comparative Effects of Exercise Interventions and Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Cognitive Impairment and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors During or After Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-analysis.

The aim of this network meta-analysis was to compare the improvement effects of various exercise interventions and mindfulness-based interventions to determine the best interventions for the improvement of cognitive impairment. Seven databases were searched to screen randomized controlled trials of exercise interventions and mindfulness-based interventions to improve cognitive impairment. The network meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.3, R 4.2.1 and ADDIS 1.16.8 software. Thirty-four randomized controlled trials involving 14 interventions were included in the study. In terms of cognitive function, except for mindfulness-based stress reduction, all interventions showed significantly greater improvement in cognitive function compared with conventional therapy. Physical activity and Qigong showed better effect in improving executive function. In terms of improving verbal memory, compensatory cognitive training, neurofeedback training, Qigong, and sham Qigong were more effective than other interventions. On performing surface under the cumulative ranking curve analysis, acceptance and commitment therapy, neurofeedback training, Qigong, and mediation had the best effects on cognitive function, quality of life, executive function, and processing speed, respectively. Mindfulness-based interventions were found to be more effective than exercise interventions for alleviating cognitive impairment. More robust randomized controlled trials focusing on acceptance and commitment therapy for cognitive impairment are required to support the current evidence.

User Experience in Neurofeedback Applications Using AR as Feedback Modality

Neurofeedback (NF) is a brain–computer interface in which users can learn to modulate their own brain activation while receiving real-time feedback thereof. To increase motivation and adherence to training, virtual reality has recently been used as a feedback modality. In the presented study, we focused on the effects of augmented reality (AR) based visual feedback on subjective user experience, including positive/negative affect, cybersickness, flow experience, and experience with the use of this technology, and compared it with a traditional 2D feedback modality. Also, half of the participants got real feedback and the other half got sham feedback. All participants performed one NF training session, in which they tried to increase their sensorimotor rhythm (SMR, 12–15 Hz) over central brain areas. Forty-four participants received conventional 2D visual feedback (moving bars on a conventional computer screen) about real-time changes in SMR activity, while 45 participants received AR feedback (3D virtual flowers grew out of a real pot). The subjective user experience differed in several points between the groups. Participants from the AR group received a tendentially higher flow score, and the AR sham group perceived a tendentially higher feeling of flow than the 2D sham group. Further, participants from the AR group reported a higher technology usability, experienced a higher feeling of control, and perceived themselves as more successful than those from the 2D group. Psychological factors like this are crucial for NF training motivation and success. In the 2D group, participants reported more concern related to their performance, a tendentially higher technology anxiety, and also more physical discomfort. These results show the potential advantage of the use of AR-based feedback in NF applications over traditional feedback modalities.

The potential of infra-low frequency neurofeedback training in peak performance: The first double-blinded placebo-controlled longitudinal study in healthy adults

Infra-low frequency neurofeedback training (ILF-NFT) has shown promise in addressing cognitive and affective distress symptoms across a range of psychiatric disorders. This study tested ILF-NFT's effects in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled longitudinal context in healthy psychology students.Across five weeks, forty-two healthy psychology students (aged 18–35) were randomly allocated into two groups, receiving ten sessions of 30 minutes of active and sham ILF-NFT. Dependent variables were measured before, following, and two months after the intervention and were comprised of: heartrate variability assessments as a measure of stress resilience; digit span, n-back, trail making and go-no-go task measures of executive functioning performance; and SCL-90-R, WHOQOL-Bref, and peak performance measures of subjective self-report. Statistical analysis was performed using an ANCOVA and compared across groups correcting for baseline differences and multiple comparisons.ANCOVA analyses revealed no significant differences across active and placebo groups in any dependent variables, when correcting for multiple comparisons. Thus, the remaining analyses focused on questionnaire correlations. Here, significant correlations were observed between the novel peak performance questionnaire with the SCL-90-R and WHOQOL-Bref, confirming its construct and retest validity.Despite several methodological limitations, including a potential type-2 error, this study highlights limited effects of ILF-NFT in healthy volunteers. Future research should thus focus on clinically driven experimental designs to explore ILF-NFT's potential in psychiatric contexts. Further research utilization of the novel peak performance questionnaire is recommended for measures of peak performance.

Alpha neurofeedback training improves visual working memory in healthy individuals.

Neurofeedback (NF) training is a closed-loop brain training in which participants learn to regulate their neural activation. NF training of alpha (8-12 Hz) activity has been reported to enhance working memory capacity, but whether it affects the precision in working memory has not yet been explored. Moreover, whether NF training distinctively influences performance in different types of working memory tasks remains unclear. Therefore, the present study conducted a randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled experiment to investigate how alpha NF training affected the capacity and precision of working memory, as well as the related neural change. Forty participants were randomly and equally assigned to the NF group and the sham control group. Both groups received NF training (about 30 min daily) for five consecutive days. The NF group received alpha (8-12 Hz) training, while the sham control group received sham NF training. We found a significant alpha increase within sessions but no significant difference across sessions. However, the behavioral performance and neural activity in the modified Sternberg task did not show significant change after alpha NF training. On the contrary, the alpha NF training group significantly increased visual working memory capacity measured by the Corsi-block tapping task and improved visual working memory precision in the interference condition in a color-recall task. These results suggest that alpha NF training influences performance in working memory tasks involved in the visuospatial sketchpad. Notably, we demonstrated that alpha NF training improves the quantity and quality of visual working memory.

Evaluation of a manualised neurofeedback training in psychosomatic-psychotherapeutic outpatient treatment (Neuro-pp-out): study protocol for a clinical mixed-methods pilot study

IntroductionElectroencephalographic neurofeedback (NFB), as a non-invasive form of brainwave training, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of various mental health disorders. However, only few results regarding manualised...