Effects of neurofeedback therapy in healthy young subjects

Abstract

Effects of neurofeedback therapy in healthy young subjects Abstract Purpose: Neurofeedback refers to a form of operant conditioning of electrical brain activity, in which desirable brain activity is rewarded and undesirable brain activity is inhibited. The research team aimed to examine the efficacy of neurofeedback therapy on electroencephalogram (EEG) for heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG) and galvanic skin resistance (GSR) parameters in a healthy young male population.Methods: Forty healthy young male subjects aged between 18 to 30 years participated in this study. Neurofeedback application of one session was made with bipolar electrodes placed on T3 and T4 (temporal 3 and 4) regions and with reference electrode placed on PF1 (prefrontal 1). Electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG) and galvanic skin resistance (GSR) were assessed during Othmer neurofeedback application of one session to regulate slow wave activity for forty minutes thorough the session. Data assessed before neurofeedback application for 5 minutes and during neurofeedback application of 30 minutes and after neurofeedback application for 5 minutes throughout the session of 40 minutes. Means for each 5 minutes, that is to say, a total 8 data points for each subjects over 40 minutes, were assessed.Results: Galvanic skin resistance increased and heart rate decreased after neurofeedback therapy. Beta activity in EEG increased and alfa activity decreased after neurofeedback therapy.Conclusions: These results suggest that neurofeedback can be used to restore sympathovagal imbalances. Also, it may be accepted as a preventive therapy for psychological and neurological problems.SUPPLEMENT

Benefits of EEG-Neurofeedback on the Modulation of Impulsivity in a Sample of Cocaine and Heroin Long-Term Abstinent Inmates: A Pilot Study

“…The improvement of clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression is also crucial in preventing relapse in cocaine- and heroin-abstinent patients (Corominas et al, 2010; DiGirolamo et al, 2017; Hasin et al, 2002). The current results are in line with a previous study reporting that the Othmer method was useful in restoring sympathetic imbalance in the general population (Altan et al, 2016).…”

Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback: A Systematic Mixed Studies Review

“…It should be noted that the control group also showed changes in brain connectivity, indicating that the Sham-Neurofeedback cannot be assumed to be a completely neutral condition (see also the discussion in MMAT Quality Assessment). Altan et al (2016) observed an increased Beta activity and diminished alpha activity in the qEEG parameters during and after a single ILF-Neurofeedback session, highlighting the role of ILF-Training in restoring the neurovegetative balance. These studies suggest that objective changes occur in brain activity as a result of ILF-Neurofeedback training.…”

“…Altan et al ( 2016 ) observed an increased Beta activity and diminished alpha activity in the qEEG parameters during and after a single ILF-Neurofeedback session, highlighting the role of ILF-Training in restoring the neurovegetative balance. These studies suggest that objective changes occur in brain activity as a result of ILF-Neurofeedback training.…”

“…Altan et al ( 2016 ) observed an increase in galvanic skin resistance and a decrease in heart rate in 40 healthy subjects, with a single session of ILF-Neurofeedback using T3-T4 electrode positioning.…”

“…Several studies have investigated the effects of neurofeedback by measuring physiological parameters and stress-related symptomatology (1, 2, 3, 9). Altan et al (2016) observed an increase in galvanic skin resistance and a decrease in heart rate in 40 healthy subjects, with a single session of ILF-Neurofeedback using T3-T4 electrode positioning. Balt et al (2020) showed significant changes in several neurophysiological parameters in a group of twenty adults with anxiety problems after 10 Infra-low frequency neurofeedback training sessions with electrode placement in T3-T4 or T4-P4.…”