Neurofeedback Training Improves the Dual-Task Performance Ability in Stroke Patients

Abstract

Owing to the reduced capacity for information processing following a stroke, patients commonly present with difficulties in performing activities of daily living that combine two or more tasks. To address this problem, in the present study, we investigated the effects of neurofeedback training on the abilities of stroke patients to perform dual motor tasks. We randomly assigned 20 patients who had sustained a stroke within the preceding 6 months to either a pseudo-neurofeedback (n = 10) or neurofeedback (n = 10) group. Both groups participated in a general exercise intervention for 8 weeks, three times a week for 30 min per session, under the same conditions. An electrode was secured to the scalp over the region of the central lobe (Cz), in compliance with the International 10-20 System. The electrode was inactive for the pseudotraining group. Participants in the neurofeedback training group received the 30-min neurofeedback training per session for reinforcing the sensorimotor rhythm. Electroencephalographic activity of the two groups was compared. In addition, selected parameters of gait (velocity, cadence [step/min], stance phase [%], and foot pressure) were analyzed using a 10-m walk test, attention-demanding task, walk task and quantified by the SmartStep system. The neurofeedback group showed significantly improved the regulation of the sensorimotor rhythm (p < 0.001) and ability to execute dual tasks (p < 0.01). Significant improvements on selected gait parameters (velocity and cadence; p < 0.05) were also observed. We thus propose that the neurofeedback training is effective to improve the dual-task performance in stroke patients.

Wearable Devices for Biofeedback Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to Design Application Rules and Estimate the Effectiveness on Balance and Gait Outcomes in Neurological Diseases

“…Table 2 shows participant characteristics, wearable devices, type of sensors and placement, experimental and control intervention, timing of the intervention, balance and gait outcomes, and finally time points of the included studies. The selected RCTs were performed in people with PD (n = 6) [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ], stroke (n = 13) [ 41 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ] and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 1) [ 58 ]. The total sample consists of 513 PwND with mean age ranging from 46 to 79 years.…”

Neurophysiologic Correlates of Post-stroke Mood and Emotional Control

“…The observed qEEG findings and its relationship with measurements of mood and emotions offers the possibility to be used as markers for treatment by EEG biofeedback entrainment, as it has been shown to be useful in stroke and memory impairment (Nelson, 2007), information processing (Lee et al, 2015), and motor function rehabilitation (Yilmaz et al, 2014). …”

Changes of Motor Function according to Attention Differences in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Pilot Study

“…Plummer-D'Amato et al (2007) reported positive effects on velocity, stride length and cadence applying gait training with three cognitive tasks in stroke patients [36]. Lee et al (2015) showed that gait ability (velocity, cadence, stance phase) was improved in the group treated neurofeedback training with visual stimulation in stroke patients [11].…”

“…Interventions such as neurofeedback training and action observation training have been reported to improve the concentration of brain injured patients [11][12][13][14]. These interventions have been reported to improve motor function through improved concentration, but the application of these interventions in clinical practice is not easy [6].…”