Neurofeedback Practice Research Articles

Neurofeedback on twitter: Evaluation of the scientific credibility and communication about the technique

Neurofeedback is a popular technique to induce neuroplasticity with a controversial reputation. The public discourse on neurofeedback, as a therapeutic and neuroenhancement technique, encompasses scientific communication, therapeutic expectations and outcomes, as well as complementary and alternative practices. We investigated twitter publications from 2010 to 2022 on the keyword “neurofeedback”. A total of over 138 k tweets were obtained, which originated from over 42 k different users. The communication flow in the neurofeedback community is mainly unidirectional and non-interactive. Analysis of hashtags revealed application fields, therapy provider and neuroenhancement to be the most popular contents in neurofeedback communication. A group of 1221 productive users was identified, in which clinicians, entrepreneurs, broadcasters, and scientists contribute. We identified reactions to critical publications in the twitter traffic and an increase in the number of tweets by academic users which suggest an increase in the interest on the scientific credibility of neurofeedback. More intense scientific communication on neurofeedback in twitter may contribute to promote a more realistic view on challenges and advances regarding good scientific practice of neurofeedback.

Both Sensorimotor Rhythm Neurofeedback and Self-Controlled Practice Enhance Motor Learning and Performance in Novice Golfers.

A major concern voiced by motor behavior scientists is to find useful practice techniques that can be effective in improving motor learning and performance. Neurofeedback and self-controlled practice are among the techniques that have recently drawn attention from specialists in this area. The present study examined the additive and individual effects of sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) neurofeedback as well as self-controlled practice on motor learning and performance in novice golfers. In this semi-empirical study, forty adults (20 females, Meanage = 26.10, SD = 5.56 years) were conveniently selected and randomly assigned to four groups: (1) neurofeedback/self-controlled practice, (2) neurofeedback/yoked practice, (3) sham/self-controlled practice, and (4) sham/yoked practice. The participants performed golf putting task in four stages, namely pretest (12 trials), intervention (one day after pretest; 6 sessions, 36 trails each), post-test (one day after intervention; 12 trials), and follow-up (two weeks after interventions; 12 trials). In addition, the participants had their EEG (SMR wave in Cz point) recorded during pretest, post-test, and follow-up. The results indicated that, although no additive effect was observed for the two practices during different stages of the experiment (p > 0.05), in acquisition and post-test stages, SMR neurofeedback and self-controlled practice independently facilitated golf putting (p ≤ 0.05). However, in the follow-up test, only the neurofeedback practice maintained its positive effects (p ≤ 0.05). The results also showed that participation in SMR neurofeedback practice can enhance the power of the SMR wave (p ≤ 0.05), regardless of the type of the self-controlled practice used. In sum, the two practice techniques seem to be independently effective in facilitating motor learning in instructional settings, particularly for golfers.

Task Modelling of Sports Event for Personalized Video Streaming Data in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

BCI games are widely familiar and accessible for brain stimulation; however, scientific research is insufficient to justify their effectiveness. Practical BCI game implementations are desperately required in concrete situations. Neurofeedback practice proposes a task modeling of a sports event in the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (TMSE-AAC) framework. People with autism will face new intellectual, engine, compartmental, and focus difficulties, which current techniques for other people cannot overcome. The game aims to keep children’s focus beyond a level to monitor a rider looking for missing farms. To monitor the viewer’s attention, TMSE-AAC uses BCI headphones. Via a 4-week implementation study of 12 autism students, TMSE-accessibility AAC’s and user interface were assessed. Our statistical findings indicate that TMSE-AAC is superior to a consumer BCI game used only to train guidance. TMSE-AAC can help children with autism effectively engage in guidance testing sessions by increasing their concentration and decreasing anxiety. Researchers focus closely on our architecture aspects and explore future job strategies.

IN PURSUE OF A SHORT-TERM EEG NEUROFEEDBACK THEORY: RESEARCH OUTLINE AND FIRST RESEARCH OUTCOMES

This paper presents an overview of the methodological road map constructed to clarify several reoccurring issues in EEG neurofeedback (NF) research, namely the problems with small samples and with a vast multitude of variables. Data, both qualitative and quantitative, from three studies (n=3, n=7, and n=16) and design of two research steps yet to be completed are presented to illustrate our methodological standing point. Furthermore, we aim to explore the usefulness of conceptualizing neurofeedback experience as a “game” in a research context, in contrast to the prevalent “neurofeedback as treatment” conceptualization. Overview of performed and planned research steps relying on mixed methods work with introspective data and EEG recordings as well as suggestions for direction of future research in the field of EEG neurofeedback are presented together with a brief description of an open-source application for neurofeedback practice and research, an application developed to help to build the short-term EEG neurofeedback theory.

Neurocognitive Enhancement Effects of Combined Mindfulness–Neurofeedback Training in Sport

To foster performance across all levels of sports practice, physical training has been integrated with various mental training practices. Recently, an integrative approach to neurocognitive enhancement tried to combine the strengths of mental practices (i.e. mindfulness) and of training with neurofeedback devices. Based on previous validation studies showing the effect of a combined mindfulness–neurofeedback program on neurocognitive efficiency and stress/anxiety levels, we aimed at testing the feasibility and potential of that intensive combined program for improving psychological well-being and attention regulation in sport contexts. 50 participants (sportspeople and volunteers not regularly involved in sports) were divided into groups undergoing experimental and active control training programs. The experimental one was based on breathing-awareness practices supported by a wearable neurofeedback, while the active control one included only breathing practices. Before and after training participants underwent standardized neuropsychological and electrophysiological assessment. Data analysis highlighted a significant reduction of response times and false alarms at computerized cognitive tasks in sportspeople who completed the training, as well as a consistent improvement of the N2 event-related potential — a marker of attention regulation processes. We have also observed a general reduction of perceived stress and increased ability to keep a non-evaluative stance. Findings extend available observations on cognitive and neural effects of combined mindfulness–neurofeedback practice by showing that it is possible to observe training effects even after a limited period of practice among sportspeople. Such early training effects might mirror optimized implicit learning curves due to peculiar sensitivity to bodily signals and awareness.

Care for Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Instrumentation

Hagedorn (2014) has highlighted the infection risks in biofeedback and neurofeedback practice and identified broad strategies for mitigating infection risk. In the age of Clostridum difficile, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and human immunodeficiency virus, infection risk cannot be ignored in any health discipline that attaches sensors to patients' skin in most treatments. The present article discusses specific guidelines for care and hygiene of biofeedback and neurofeedback instruments, encoders, cables, and sensors. Attention to practice standards can greatly reduce the risk to practitioner and client alike.

Across-subject offline decoding of motor imagery from MEG and EEG

Long calibration time hinders the feasibility of brain-computer interfaces (BCI). If other subjects’ data were used for training the classifier, BCI-based neurofeedback practice could start without the initial calibration. Here, we compare methods for inter-subject decoding of left- vs. right-hand motor imagery (MI) from MEG and EEG. Six methods were tested on data involving MEG and EEG measurements of healthy participants. Inter-subject decoders were trained on subjects showing good within-subject accuracy, and tested on all subjects, including poor performers. Three methods were based on Common Spatial Patterns (CSP), and three others on logistic regression with l1 - or l2,1 -norm regularization. The decoding accuracy was evaluated using (1) MI and (2) passive movements (PM) for training, separately for MEG and EEG. With MI training, the best accuracies across subjects (mean 70.6% for MEG, 67.7% for EEG) were obtained using multi-task learning (MTL) with logistic regression and l2,1-norm regularization. MEG yielded slightly better average accuracies than EEG. With PM training, none of the inter-subject methods yielded above chance level (58.7%) accuracy. In conclusion, MTL and training with other subject’s MI is efficient for inter-subject decoding of MI. Passive movements of other subjects are likely suboptimal for training the MI classifiers.

Current Practice of Neurofeedback: Where We Are and How We Got There

This article tracks the evolution of the practice of neurofeedback over the past quarter century from the perspective of services offered at a private clinic. It describes why and how the authors changed their practices from interventions including medication, psychotherapy, and tutoring to biofeedback interventions. Their evolving practices required complex assessments including single- and two-channel quantitative electroencephalograph (QEEG) and later 19-channel QEEG combined with evoked potentials, heart rate variability, continuous performance testing, and neuropsychological assessment. The article stresses that interventions require a multimodal approach. The neuroanatomical rationale for combining neurofeedback and heart rate variability (HRV) training is provided as well as a discussion of how a systems theory of neural synergy helps explain how neurofeedback influences brain networks. Assessment procedures are described in some detail because that information is used to develop effective interventions that typically combine neurofeedback (single-channel or LORETA Z-score neurofeedback, as indicated) with HRV training. The authors stress using evidence-based approaches, basing intervention on assessment, and keeping current with new developments in applied neuroscience.

Special Issue: Current Practice in Neurofeedback Assessment and Treatment

Special Issue: Current Practice in Neurofeedback Assessment and Treatment

Wireless EEG with individualized channel layout enables efficient motor imagery training

ObjectiveThe study compared two channel-reduction approaches in order to investigate the effects of systematic motor imagery (MI) neurofeedback practice in an everyday environment using a very user-friendly EEG system consisting of individualized caps and highly portable hardware. MethodsSixteen BCI novices were trained over four consecutive days to imagine left and right hand movements while receiving feedback. The most informative bipolar channels for use on the subsequent days were identified on the first day for each individual based on a high-density online MI recording. ResultsOnline classification accuracy on the first day was 85.1% on average (range: 64.7–97.7%). Offline an individually-selected bipolar channel pair based on common spatial patterns significantly outperformed a pair informed by independent component analysis and a standard 10–20 pair. From day 2 to day 4 online MI accuracy increased significantly (day 2: 69.1%; day 4: 73.3%), which was mostly caused by a reduction in ipsilateral event-related desynchronization of sensorimotor rhythms. ConclusionThe present study demonstrates that systematic MI practice in an everyday environment with a user-friendly EEG system results in MI learning effects. SignificanceThese findings help to bridge the gap between elaborate laboratory studies with healthy participants and efficient home or hospital based MI neurofeedback protocols.

Standards of Practice for Neurofeedback and Neurotherapy: A Position Paper of the International Society for Neurofeedback & Research

This position paper of the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR) sets forth standards and guidelines for the practice of neurofeedback and neurotherapy. Issues discussed include competency, qualifications of practitioners, scope of practice, informed consent, pretreatment assessment, standards for remote training, record keeping and billing, accountability, standards for practitioner training and qualifications to be trained, adequate supervision and coaching of training sessions, ethical advertising, standards for professional societies, and standards for those who sell and manufacture neurofeedback equipment.

Neurofeedback Around the World

Neurofeedback practices around the world were surveyed. Information was received from 47 practitioners in 27 countries. Time spent in the practice of neurofeedback, training, licensing and certification requirements, professional neurofeedback associations, types of disorders treated and acceptance of neurofeedback in each country are provided and discussed.

QEEG-Guided Neurofeedback for Children with Histories of Abuse and Neglect: Neurodevelopmental Rationale and Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Background. Poor self-regulation of arousal is central to the behavioral difficulties experienced by children with traumatic caretaker attachment histories. EEG biofeedback teaches children to self-regulate brain rhythmicity, which may in turn affect global improvements in the areas of attention, aggression, impulse control, and trust formation. Research literature reports successful use of neurofeedback for children with ADHD, autism, asthma, stroke, and migraine. This study extends current research by investigating the effectiveness of neurofeedback in reducing behavioral problems commonly observed in abused/neglected children. Methods. Treatment records of twenty adopted children with histories of removal from their biological home by Child Protective Services were obtained from a private neurofeedback practice. All of the children were assessed prior to treatment using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) and again after 30 sessions of individualiz...

Foundation and Practice of Neurofeedback for the Treatment of Epilepsy

This review provides an updated overview of the neurophysiological rationale, basic and clinical research literature, and current methods of practice pertaining to clinical neurofeedback. It is based on documented findings, rational theory, and the research and clinical experience of the authors. While considering general issues of physiology, learning principles, and methodology, it focuses on the treatment of epilepsy with sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) training, arguably the best established clinical application of EEG operant conditioning. The basic research literature provides ample data to support a very detailed model of the neural generation of SMR, as well as the most likely candidate mechanism underlying its efficacy in clinical treatment. Further, while more controlled clinical trials would be desirable, a respectable literature supports the clinical utility of this alternative treatment for epilepsy. However, the skilled practice of clinical neurofeedback requires a solid understanding of the neurophysiology underlying EEG oscillation, operant learning principles and mechanisms, as well as an in-depth appreciation of the ins and outs of the various hardware/software equipment options open to the practitioner. It is suggested that the best clinical practice includes the systematic mapping of quantitative multi-electrode EEG measures against a normative database before and after treatment to guide the choice of treatment strategy and document progress towards EEG normalization. We conclude that the research literature reviewed in this article justifies the assertion that neurofeedback treatment of epilepsy/seizure disorders constitutes a well-founded and viable alternative to anticonvulsant pharmacotherapy.

The Role of Aspirational Ethics and Licensing Laws in the Practice of Neurofeedback

Health Care practitioners are increasingly being held accountable for what they do and for what they fail to do. Licensing laws provide guidance for what the state expects of practitioners. It is in the best interests of all practitioners of neurofeedback services, licensed and unlicensed alike, to be aware of and adhere to both the letter and intent of these laws. Adherence has several advantages, including: it serves as an indicator that practitioners are striving for the highest level of ethical functioning by focusing in the client’s best interests, and that they are obtaining the guidance needed to meet or exceed the expected standards of care as specified in the law. In addition, awareness and adherence to licensing laws serves practitioners well if an ethical complaint or lawsuit is filed, since existing laws and other regulations are increasingly being used by the courts to make decisions about what is expected of practitioners.