Introduction Findings of recent studies indicate that it is possible to enhance cognitive capacities of healthy individuals by means of individual upper alpha neurofeedback training (NFT). Although these results are promising, most of this research was conducted based on high-priced EEG systems developed for clinical and research purposes. This study addresses the question whether such effects can also be shown with an easy to use and comparably low-priced Emotiv Epoc EEG headset available for the average consumer. In addition, critical voices were raised regarding the control group designs of studies addressing the link between neurofeedback training and cognitive performance. Based on an extensive literature review revealing considerable methodological issues in an important part of the existing research, the present study addressed the question whether individual upper alpha neurofeedback has a positive effect on alpha amplitudes (i.e. increases alpha amplitudes) and short-term memory performance focussing on a methodologically sound, single-blinded, sham controlled design. Method Participants (N = 33) took part in four test sessions over four consecutive days of either neurofeedback training (NFT group) or sham feedback (SF group). In the NFT group, five three-minute periods of visual neurofeedback training were administered each day whereas in the SF group (control group), the same amount of sham feedback was presented. Performance on eight digit-span tests as well as participants’ affective states were assessed before and after each of the daily training sessions. Results NFT did not show an effect on individual upper alpha and cognitive performance. While performance increased in both groups over the course of time, this effect could not be explained by changes in individual upper alpha. Additional analyses however revealed that participants in the NFT group showed faster and larger increase in alpha compared to the SF group. Surprisingly, exploratory analyses showed a significant correlation between the initial alpha level and the alpha improvement during the course of the study. This finding suggests that participants with high initial alpha levels benefit more from alpha NFT interventions. In the discussion, the appearance of the alpha enhancement in the SF group and possible reasons for the absence of a connection between NFT and short-term memory are addressed.
12 Introduction 13 Findings of recent studies have proposed that it is possible to enhance cognitive capacities of healthy 14 individuals by means of individual upper alpha (around 10 to 13.5 Hz) neurofeedback training. 15 Although these results are promising, most of this research was conducted based on high-priced EEG 16 systems developed for clinical and research purposes only. This study addresses the question whether 17 such effects can also be shown with an easy to use and comparably low priced Emotiv Epoc EEG 18 headset available for the average consumer. In addition, critical voices were raised regarding the control 19 group designs of studies addressing the link between neurofeedback training and cognitive performance. 20 Based on an extensive literature review revealing considerable methodological issues in an important 21 part of the existing research, the present study addressed the question whether individual upper alpha 22 neurofeedback has a positive effect on alpha amplitudes (i.e. increases alpha amplitudes) and short-term 23 memory performance focussing on a methodologically sound, single-blinded, sham controlled design.24 Method 25 Participants (N = 33) took part in four test sessions over four consecutive days of either neurofeedback 26 training or sham feedback (control group). In the experimental group, five three-minute periods of visual 27 neurofeedback training were administered each day whereas in the control group, the same amount of 28 sham feedback was presented. Performance on eight digit-span tests as well as participants' affective 29 states were assessed before and after each of the daily training sessions.30 Results 31 Participants in the neurofeedback training (NFT) group showed faster and greater alpha enhancement 32 compared to the control group. Contrary to the authors' expectations, alpha enhancement was also 33 observed in the control group. Surprisingly, exploratory analyses showed a significant correlation 34 between the initial alpha level and the alpha improvement during the course of the study. This finding 35 suggests that participants with high initial alpha levels profit more from alpha NFT interventions. digit-36 span performance increased in both groups over the course of time. However, the increase in individual 37 upper relative alpha did not explain significant variance of digit-span improvement. In the discussion, 38 the authors explore the appearance of the alpha enhancement in the control group and possible reasons 39 for the absence of a connection between NFT and short-term memory. 40-2-41
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