The validity of individual frontal alpha asymmetry EEG neurofeedback

Abstract

Frontal asymmetry in alpha oscillations is assumed to be associated with psychopathology and individual differences in emotional responding. Brain-activity-based feedback is a promising tool for the modulation of cortical activity. Here, we validated a neurofeedback protocol designed to change relative frontal asymmetry based on individual alpha peak frequencies, including real-time average referencing and eye-correction. Participants (N = 60) were randomly assigned to a right, left or placebo neurofeedback group. Results show a difference in trainability between groups, with a linear change in frontal alpha asymmetry over time for the right neurofeedback group during rest. Moreover, the asymmetry changes in the right group were frequency and location specific, even though trainability did not persist at 1 week and 1 month follow-ups. On the behavioral level, subjective stress on the second test day was reduced in the left and placebo neurofeedback groups, but not in the right neurofeedback group. We found individual differences in trainability that were dependent on training group, with participants in the right neurofeedback group being more likely to change their frontal asymmetry in the desired direction. Individual differences in trainability were also reflected in the ability to change frontal asymmetry during the feedback.

Limbic Activity Modulation Guided by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Inspired Electroencephalography Improves Implicit Emotion Regulation

“…Figure 2C shows that as hypothesized, following amyg-EFP NF only the EFP-Test group showed reduced reactivity of the amygdala relative to before training (EFP- Test: F(1,11 groups (F(1,11)=0.01, p>0.92). However, the ANOVA did not reveal a significant Group*Time-Point interaction (F (1,11)=1.44, p>0. 25), preventing a definite dissociation between the groups.…”

“…Electroencephalography (EEG) on the other hand, is a relatively inexpensive and mobile brain imaging technique that can be easily implemented at any location. Albeit, the clinical benefit of EEG-NF, particularly for affective disturbances such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), remains dubious (10,11); possibly due to poor spatial resolution, which hampers the targeting of deep limbic areas such as the amygdala (12). The current study conducted a first of its kind investigation of the neurobehavioral implications of a novel imaging approach that allows for the bed-side monitoring of amygdala activity using fMRI-inspired EEG; hereby termed, "amygdala-EEG Finger Print" (amyg-EFP).…”

On the role of asymmetric frontal cortical activity in approach and withdrawal motivation: An updated review of the evidence

“…That is, participants who received neurofeedback training to increase relative right frontal activity showed a significant increase in relative right frontal activity from Day 1 to Day 3 and 4. In contrast, individuals who received training to increase relative left frontal activity did not show a significant increase in relative left frontal activity, but they did differ significantly from those who had received relative right frontal training (for a replication, see Quaedflieg et al, ). As predicted, this manipulated change in asymmetric frontal cortical activity caused changes in affective responses.…”

Combining frontal gamma asymmetry neurofeedback with virtual reality: A proof of concept case study

“…For example, Baehr and colleagues used an alpha asymmetry protocol in two different sets of case studies to successfully treat depression in patients also being treated with psychotherapy (Baehr & Baehr, 1997;Baehr, Rosenfeld, Baehr, & Earnest, 1999). Quaedflieg et al (2016) showed that frontal alpha asymmetry neurofeedback can result in changes in relative frontal asymmetry at rest, suggesting it is potentially a powerful tool for use in the treatment of depression. Mennella, Patron, and Palomba (2017) extended these findings by showing that frontal alpha asymmetry neurofeedback led to significant changes in resting asymmetry as well as changes in negative mood and anxiety.…”