Abstract
Neurofeedback (NF) is a tool that has proven helpful in the treatment of various disorders such as epilepsy or attention deficit disorder (ADHD). Depending on the respective application, a high number of training sessions might be necessary before participants can voluntarily modulate the electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms as instructed. In addition, many individuals never learn to do so despite numerous training sessions. Thus, we are interested in determining whether or not performance during the early training sessions can be used to predict if a participant will learn to regulate the EEG rhythms. Here, we propose an easy to use, but accurate method for predicting the performance of individual participants. We used a sample set of sensorimotor rhythm (SMR 12–15 Hz) NF training sessions (experiment 1) to predict the performance of the participants of another study (experiment 2). We then used the data obtained in experiment 2 to predict the performance of participants in experiment 1. We correctly predicted the performance of 12 out of 13 participants in the first group and all 14 participants in the second group; however, we were not able to make these predictions before the end of the eleventh training session.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arns, M., de Ridder, S., Strehl, U., Breteler, M., & Coenen, A. (2009). Efficacy of Neurofeedback Treatment in ADHD: The Effects on Inattention, Impulsivity and Hyperactivity: A Meta-Analysis. EEG and Clinical Neuroscience, 40(3), 180–189.
Dempster, T., & Vernon, D. (2009). Identifying indices of learning for alpha neurofeedback training. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 34(4), 309–328.
Doehnert, M., Brandeis, D., Straub, M., Steinhausen, H. C., & Drechsler, R. (2008). Slow cortical potential neurofeedback in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Is there neurophysiological evidence for specific effects? Journal of Neural Transmission, 115(10), 1445–1456.
Doppelmayr, M., Nosko, H., Pecherstorfer, T., & Fink, A. (2007). An attempt to increase cognitive performance after stroke with Neurofeedback. Biofeedback, 35(4), 126–130.
Egner, T., & Gruzelier, J. H. (2003). Ecological validity of neurofeedback: Modulation of slow wave EEG enhances musical performance. Neuroreport, 14(9), 1221–1224.
Egner, T., & Gruzelier, J. H. (2004). EEG Biofeedback of low beta band components: Frequency-specific effects on variables of attention and event-related brain potentials. Clinical Neurophysiology, 115(1), 131–139.
Egner, T., Strawson, E., & Gruzelier, J. H. (2002). EEG signature and phenomenology of alpha/theta neurofeedback training versus mock feedback. Applied Psychophysiology Biofeedback, 27(4), 261–270.
Gruzelier, J., Hardman, E., Wild, J., & Zaman, R. (1999). Learned control of slow potential interhemispheric asymmetry in schizophrenia. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 34(3), 341–348.
Hanslmayr, S., Sauseng, P., Doppelmayr, M., Schabus, M., & Klimesch, W. (2005). Increasing individual upper alpha power by neurofeedback improves cognitive performance in human subjects. Applied Psychophysiology Biofeedback, 30(1), 1–10.
Hoedlmoser, K., Pecherstorfer, T., Gruber, G., Anderer, P., Doppelmayr, M., Klimesch, W., et al. (2008). Instrumental conditioning of human sensorimotor rhythm (12–15 Hz) and its impact on sleep as well as declarative learning. Sleep, 31(10), 1401–1408.
Kotchoubey, B., Strehl, U., Uhlmann, C., Holzapfel, S., Koenig, M., Froescher, W., et al. (2001). Modification of slow cortical potentials in patients with refractory epilepsy: A controlled outcome study. Epilepsia, 42(3), 406–416.
Kouijzer, M. E. J., de Moor, J. M. H., Gerrits, B. J. L., Buitelaar, J. K., & van Schie, H. T. (in press). Long-term effects of neurofeedback treatment in autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3(2), 496–501.
Kouijzer, M. E. J., de Moor, J. M. H., Gerrits, B. J. L., Congedo, M., & van Schie, H. T. (2009). Neurofeedback improves executive functioning in children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3(1), 145–162.
Leins, U., Goth, G., Hinterberger, T., Klinger, Ch., Rumpf, N., & Strehl, U. (2007). Neurofeedback for Children with ADHD: A Comparison of SCP and Theta/Beta Protocols. Applied Psychophysiol Biofeedback, 32, 73–88.
Linden, M., Habib, T., & Radojevic, V. (1996). A controlled study of the effects of EEG biofeedback on the cognition and behavior of children with attention deficit disorder and learning disabilities. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 21(1), 35–48.
Pfurtscheller, G., & Lopes da Silva, F. (2005). EEG event-related desynchronization (ERD) and event-related sychronization (ERS). Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 5, 1003–1016.
Raymond, J., Sajid, I., Parkinson, L. A., & Gruzelier, J. H. (2005a). Biofeedback and dance performance: A preliminary investigation. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 30(1), 65–73.
Raymond, J., Varney, C., Parkinson, L. A., & Gruzelier, J. H. (2005b). The effects of alpha/theta neurofeedback on personality and mood. Cognitive Brain Research, 23(2–3), 287–292.
Rockstroh, B., Elbert, T., Birbaumer, N., Wolf, P., Duchting-Roth, A., Reker, M., et al. (1993). Cortical self-regulation in patients with epilepsies. Epilepsy Research, 14(1), 63–72.
Schenk, S., Lamm, K., & Ladwig, K. H. (2003). Effects of a neurofeedback-based alpha training on chronic tinnitus. Verhaltenstherapie, 13(2), 115–120.
Siniatchkin, M., Hierundar, A., Kropp, P., Kuhnert, R., Gerber, W. D., & Stephani, U. (2000). Self-regulation of slow cortical potentials in children with migraine: An exploratory study. Applied Psychophysiology Biofeedback, 25(1), 13–32.
Sterman, M. B., & Egner, T. (2006). Foundation and practice of neurofeedback for the treatment of epilepsy. Applied Psychophysiology Biofeedback, 31(1), 21–35.
Tan, G., Thornby, J., Hammond, D. C., Strehl, U., Canady, B., Arnemann, K., et al. (2009). Meta-analysis of EEG biofeedback in treating epilepsy. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 40(3), 173–179.
Thompson, L., & Thompson, M. (2005). Neurofeedback intervention for adults with ADHD. Journal of Adult Development, 12(2–3), 123–130.
Thompson, M., & Thompson, L. (2009). Asperger’s syndrome intervention: Combining neurofeedback, biofeedback and metacognition Introduction to Quantitative EEG and Neurofeedback (Second Edition) (pp. 365–415). San Diego: Academic Press.
Vernon, D., Egner, T., Cooper, N., Compton, T., Neilands, C., Sheri, A., et al. (2003). The effect of training distinct neurofeedback protocols on aspects of cognitive performance. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 47(1), 75–85.
Walker, J. E., & Kozlowski, G. P. (2005). Neurofeedback treatment of epilepsy. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 14(1), 163–176. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2004.07.009.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the OENB grant Jubiläumsfonds 12276.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Weber, E., Köberl, A., Frank, S. et al. Predicting Successful Learning of SMR Neurofeedback in Healthy Participants: Methodological Considerations. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 36, 37–45 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-010-9142-x
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-010-9142-x