Working memory training using EEG neurofeedback in normal young adults

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that working memory (WM) performance can be improved by intensive and adaptive computerized training. Here, we explored the WM training effect using Electroencephalography (EEG) neurofeedback (NF) in normal young adults. In the first study, we identified the EEG features related to WM in normal young adults. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the power ratio of the theta-to-alpha rhythms in the anterior-parietal region, accurately classified a high percentage of the EEG trials recorded during WM and fixation control (FC) tasks. Based on these results, a second study aimed to assess the training effects of the theta-to-alpha ratio and tested the hypothesis that upregulating the power ratio can improve working memory behavior. Our results demonstrated that these normal young adults succeeded in improving their WM performance with EEG NF, and the pre-and post-test evaluations also indicated that WM performance increase in experimental group was significantly greater than control groups. In summary, our findings provided preliminarily evidence that WM performance can be improved through learned regulation of the EEG power ratio using EEG NF.

Tuning pathological brain oscillations with neurofeedback: a systems neuroscience framework

“…Here, the specificity of NFB control could be tested on both the spatial and temporal dimensions of feedback signals, which might include brain regions predefined via inverse-source localization (Congedo et al, 2004 ) or rhythms that need to be controlled for a particular temporal duration/dynamic (Congedo et al, 2004 ; Hoedlmoser et al, 2008 ). In this regard, future NFB studies could also take inspiration from recent BCI approaches which have exploited machine-learning methods (Lotte et al, 2007 ) for identifying the individual-specific EEG patterns for training, and that may be based on a priori behavioral performance (Xiong et al, 2014 ).…”

EEG Theta/Beta Ratio Neurofeedback Training in Healthy Females

“…Thirdly, the number of sessions used in NFT varies widely in the literature, and is usually dependent on the trained population as well as the specific protocol that is used (for a review see Enriquez-Geppert et al 2017 ). Reiner et al (2014) found posterior theta to change already after one session, followed by some studies that observed clear changes in alpha after only one neurofeedback training (Escolano et al 2014 ; Ros et al 2014 ; Xiong et al 2014 ). Also, Enriquez-Geppert et al ( 2014 ) found frontal-midline theta to change after eight sessions of NFT, making it difficult to explain the absence of changes in theta after 14 training sessions in the current study.…”

Short-Delay Neurofeedback Facilitates Training of the Parietal Alpha Rhythm

“…According to the existing literature and our own results [41], parietal alpha rhythm easy to isolate (in contrast to the sensorimotor rhythm, for example) and is easy to train with NFB practically in all subjects. Moreover, NFB that is based on the parietal alpha rhythms has been suggested as the approach to gaining a range of functional improvements, including improvements in cognition [61], [1], [19], attention [4], [39], [40], [8], working memory [11], [67], mood [42], [13], [43], and relaxation [5].…”