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Short and long-term effects of sham-controlled prefrontal EEG-neurofeedback training in healthy subjects

Authors:
D. Eichhorn, D. Keeser, E. M. Suiker, H. J. Engelbregt, J. B. Deijen, L. Van Eijk, O. Pogarell, S. Karch
Publication date:
2016-04-01
Journal/Publication:
Clinical Neurophysiology
Tags:
Brain modulation Electroencephalography Long-term effects Neurofeedback

Abstract

Objective In this study we evaluated long-term effects of frontal beta EEG-neurofeedback training (E-NFT) on healthy subjects. We hypothesized that E-NFT can change frontal beta activity in the long-term and that changes in frontal beta EEG activity are accompanied by altered cognitive performance. Methods 25 healthy subjects were included and randomly assigned to active or sham E-NFT. On average the subjects underwent 15 E-NFT training sessions with a training duration of 45min. Resting-state EEG was recorded prior to E-NFT training (t1) and in a 3-year follow-up (t3). Results Compared to sham E-NFT, which was used for the control group, real E-NFT increased beta activity in a predictable way. This increase was maintained over a period of three years post training. However, E-NFT did not result in significantly improved cognitive performance. Conclusion Based on our results, we conclude that EEG-NFT can selectively modify EEG beta activity both in short and long-term. Significance This is a sham controlled EEG neurofeedback study demonstrating long-term effects in resting state EEG.