Abstract
The neuromodulation induced by neurofeedback training (NFT) remains a matter of debate. Investigating the modulation of brain activity specifically associated with NF requires controlling for multiple factors, such as reward, performance, congruency between task and targeted brain activity. This can be achieved using sham feedback (FB) control condition, equating all aspects of the experiment but the closed-loop between brain activity and FB. We aimed at investigating the modulation of individual alpha EEG activity induced by NFT in a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study. Forty-eight healthy participants were assigned to either NF (n=25) or control (n=23) group and performed 12 NFT sessions of alpha upregulation with a wearable EEG device. Participants of the NF group received FB based on their individual alpha activity. The control group received the auditory FB of participants of the NF group. An increase of alpha activity across training sessions was observed in the NF group only (p<0.001). This neuromodulation was selective in that it was not observed for theta (4-8Hz) and low beta (13-18Hz) activities. It was associated with an increased feeling of control (p<0.001), more marked for NF than control group. Anxiety level decreased and relaxation feeling increased with training in both groups. NFT across multiple sessions can induce specific brain modulation, suggesting a neuroplasticity selective of the targeted brain activity. Our results pave the way to self-learnt, NF-based neuromodulation with light-weighted, wearable EEG systems for various applications (e.g. epilepsy, sleep, attention).
Competing Interest Statement
MyBrain Technologies provided the mobile EEG device used in the present study. F.G, A.B., X.W., G.S., Y.A., X.N.-S. are or were full-time employees of myBrain Technologies and had a role in the study conceptualization, methodology, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, supervision, visualization, project administration and/or writing the manuscript. More precisely, F.G. was financially supported by myBrain Technologies during her PhD studies, and she is now a full-time employee of myBrain Technologies as G.S. and X.N.-S are. Y.A. is the Chief Executive Officer and a co-founder of myBrain Technologies, and had a role in the study conceptualization, methodology and supervision and in writing the manuscript. N.G. and L.H. have a collaboration agreement with myBrain Technologies for the development of the experimental protocol and the dry wearable mobile EEG system used in the study and the ICM has granted a license to myBrain Technologies for the development of this EEG device. The authors L.Y.-C., P.F., and M.C. declare having no competing interests.
Footnotes
Minor changes in the main text; Title updated; Abstract updated; 2 references added; Conflicts of interest updated; Acknowledgments updated
