The effect of neurofeedback on a brain wave and visual perception in stroke: a randomized control trial

Abstract

[Purpose] This study investigated a brain wave and visual perception changes in stroke subjects using neurofeedback (NFB) training. [Subjects] Twenty-seven stroke subjects were randomly allocated to the NFB (n = 13) group and the control group (n=14). [Methods] Two expert therapists provided the NFB and CON groups with traditional rehabilitation therapy in 30 thirst-minute sessions over the course of 6 weeks. NFB training was provided only to the NFB group. The CON group received traditional rehabilitation therapy only. Before and after the 6-week intervention, a brain wave test and motor free visual perception test (MVPT) were performed. [Results] Both groups showed significant differences in their relative beta wave values and attention concentration quotients. Moreover, the NFB group showed a significant difference in MVPT visual discrimination, form constancy, visual memory, visual closure, spatial relation, raw score, and processing time. [Conclusion] This study demonstrated that NFB training is more effective for increasing concentration and visual perception changes than traditional rehabilitation. In further studies, detailed and diverse investigations should be performed considering the number and characteristics of subjects, and the NFB training period.

Neurofeedback as a Form of Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy Following Stroke: A Systematic Review

“…Five of the interventions were case studies [41][42][43][44][45]. Three controlled trials were also included [6,46]; two were non-randomized and non-blinded (experiment 1 n = 32, experiment 2 n = 17) [6], and one was randomized but non-blinded (n = 27) [46].…”

“…Two studies indicated participants were recruited from an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, possibly implying these participants were still in the sub-acute phase (i.e. 15 days to 6 months post-stroke) [6,46]. One study included participants whom bordered the sub-acute/chronic phase [46], another included a sub-acute participant [44].…”

“…15 days to 6 months post-stroke) [6,46]. One study included participants whom bordered the sub-acute/chronic phase [46], another included a sub-acute participant [44]. One study did not indicate time since stroke [44].…”

“…Individuals suffered from various lesions (see Table 1) and exhibited a number of cognitive deficits. NFT interventions directly targeted memory [6,41,44], emotional issues [41,43,45], concentration and distraction issues [41,43,45,46], fatigue and energy deficits [41,43], communication and speech deficits [41,42,45], visual perception deficits [45,46] and motivation [45]. Two patients complained of visual tracking deficits, [41,42] in addition to one of them suffering from tinnitus [41].…”

“…See Table 1. A few of the participants opted to try NFT after already having participated in conventional forms of stroke rehabilitation therapy; additional therapies included speech therapy [41], physical therapy [41,46], group and individual therapy [42], talk therapy [43] and neuropsychological therapy [45]. Participants in one study completed additional computer training (targeting attention, language, and memory) for 30 minutes immediately prior to their group-specific intervention [6].…”