The Impact of Neurotherapy on College Students' Cognitive Abilities and Emotions

Abstract

Background. In past research, several case studies and five controlled-group studies explored the effect of electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback on intelligence, attention, and behavior in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but no studies have explored the effects of EEG biofeedback in nonclinical adults on measures of response control, mood, emotional intelligence, and self-efficacy.Method. Sixteen nonclinical college students were randomly assigned to receive Beta=Sensory Motor Rhythm EEG biofeedback to increase 12 to 15 Hz activity while inhibiting 4 to 7 Hz and 22 to 36 Hz activity. A control group received placebo EEG biofeedback. All participants completed pre-and postmeasures assessing intelligence scores, attention, impulse control, mood, emotional intelligence, and self-efficacy to assess the effect of EEG biofeedback.Results. Results showed significant improvements in response control but no improvements in attention. Measures of intelligence and emotional functioning did not change after EEG biofeedback.Conclusions. This study indicates that response control may improve in a few as 20 EEG biofeedback sessions. Implications and shortcomings discussed.

What is Neurofeedback: An Update

“…Neurofeedback also has documented results for cognitive and memory enhancement in normal individuals (Angelakis et al, 2007;Boulay, Sarnacki, Wolpaw, & McFarland, 2011;Egner, Strawson, & Gruzelier, 2002;Fritson, Wadkins, Gerdes, & Hof, 2007;Gruzelier, Egner, & Vernon, 2006;Hanslmayer, Sauseng, Doppelmayr, Schabus, & Klimesch, 2005;Hoedlmoser et al, 2008;Keizer, Verment, & Hommel, 2010;Rasey, Lubar, McIntyre, Zoffuto & Abbott, 1996;Vernon et al, 2003;Zoefel, Huster, & Herrmann, 2010). Neurofeedback to enhance cognitive functioning and to counter the effects of aging has been referred to as ''brain brightening'' (Budzynski, 1996).…”

Cognitive Performance Enhancement: Do Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Work?

“…Low beta NFB training was associated with faster reaction times and increased target P300 amplitudes, whereas no changes were evident in the control group (Egner and Gruzelier 2004). Nevertheless, Fritson et al (2008) did not find beneficial effects in attention of a simultaneous SMR NFB training and theta/high beta inhibition. They found a significant posttraining change in the experimental group regarding response control but no significant changes in attention for either the control or treatment group.…”

“…Beta augment NFB training can be used to enhance attentional processing . And more recent research has shown that SMR augment training can enhance attentional (Doppelmayer and Weber 2011;Gruzelier 2001, 2004;Fritson et al 2008) and declarative memory performance (Hoedlmoser et al 2008), facilitate semantic processing in a working memory task and familiarity-based processes in working memory (Guez et al 2015), improve surgical technique while considerably reducing time on task , and reduce sensorimotor interference . Finally, augment gamma NFB training was positively correlated with a decrease of selectively retrieving binding costs and an increase in intelligence score (Keizer et al 2010a, b).…”

“…Although the rationale of EEG NFB and HRV BFB training is based on the association between particular optimal states or behaviors and certain EEG or cardiorespiratory patterns, quite some studies did not include a pre-and posttraining physiological status measurement to evaluate the efficacy of the NFB training (e.g., Egner and Gruzelier 2004;Fritson et al 2008. It goes without saying that not including an EEG or cardiorespiratory analysis within and between sessions implies that one cannot guarantee a direct association between certain behavioral modifications and the applied NFB/BFB training.…”

Sporti̇f Performans Açisindan Nöro-Geri̇bi̇ldi̇ri̇m

“…Seans sayıları ise yine spor bilimleri alanında uygulanan protokollere bağlı olmakla birlikte en az 10-15 seans arasındadır. Ancak Fritson ve arkadaşları sağlıklı bireylerde NGB antrenmanının etkisinden söz edilebilmesi için en az 20 seanslık NGB antrenmanının uygulanması gerektiğini bildirmişlerdir [37].…”