Specific effects of EEG based neurofeedback training on memory functions in post-stroke victims

Abstract

BackgroundUsing EEG based neurofeedback (NF), the activity of the brain is modulated directly and, therefore, the cortical substrates of cognitive functions themselves. In the present study, we investigated the ability of stroke patients to control their own brain activity via NF and evaluated specific effects of different NF protocols on cognition, in particular recovery of memory.MethodsN = 17 stroke patients received up to ten sessions of either SMR (N = 11, 12–15 Hz) or Upper Alpha (N = 6, e.g. 10–12 Hz) NF training. N = 7 stroke patients received treatment as usual as control condition. Furthermore, N = 40 healthy controls performed NF training as well. To evaluate the NF training outcome, a test battery assessing different cognitive functions was performed before and after NF training.ResultsAbout 70 % of both patients and controls achieved distinct gains in NF performance leading to improvements in verbal short- and long-term memory, independent of the used NF protocol. The SMR patient group showed specific improvements in visuo-spatial short-term memory performance, whereas the Upper Alpha patient group specifically improved their working memory performance. NF training effects were even stronger than effects of traditional cognitive training methods in stroke patients. NF training showed no effects on other cognitive functions than memory.ConclusionsPost-stroke victims with memory deficits could benefit from NF training as much as healthy controls. The used NF training protocols (SMR, Upper Alpha) had specific as well as unspecific effects on memory. Hence, NF might offer an effective cognitive rehabilitation tool improving memory deficits of stroke survivors.

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Neurofeedback (NFB) Training Method and Fernald’s Multisensory Approach on Dictation Performance among Students Suffering from Dictation Disorder (Dysgraphia)

“…One of these important factors is long-term memory. Recent studies have shown that neurofeedback training method is an effective intervention in improving decreased levels of student's memory struggled with dictation disorder [6,9,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37].…”

The Effect of Beta and Alpha Neurofeedback on Memory: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled, Clinical Trial

“…The underlying mechanism for memory improvement may be related to inhibition of irrelevant information (9) in cortical storage and thalamocortical neural activity (10). Increasing high (upper) alpha frequency suppresses distracting stimuli and inhibits unnecessary and conflicting processes, thus, facilitating memory and task performance (35). However, several studies supported that upper alpha frequency training has enhanced memory performance in diverse population (10-14).…”

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Neurofeedback (NFB) Training Method and Fernald’s Multisensory Approach on Dictation Performance among Students Suffering from Dictation Disorder (Dysgraphia)

“…One of these important factors is long-term memory. Recent studies have shown that neurofeedback training method is an effective intervention in improving decreased levels of student's memory struggled with dictation disorder [6,9,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37].…”