The Effects of Neurofeedback Training in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent degenerative disorder impacting the central nervous system. PD manifests through both motor and non-motor symptoms, including rest tremors, bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, neuropsychiatric distress, anosmia, and deficits in executive function and memory. Neurofeedback (NFB) is a psychophysiological technique aimed at enabling individuals to self-regulate their brain activity by utilizing instruments that provide real-time feedback on cerebral activity. The present chapter aims to state the theory that has been produced about Neurofeedback in Parkinson’s disease. To achieve that, firstly, the conceptualization of PD has been made; secondly, the neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric symptoms were described; thirdly, the neurophysiology of PD was presented; and finally, the neurofeedback applied in PD was analyzed. Most of the studies are related to the improvement of motor performance, although the non-motor symptoms might be another aim to improve the quality of life of those patients.