Smr Neurofeedback Training for Cognitive Enhancement: the Mediating Effect of Smr Baseline Levels
Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Abstract: In this study, 24 adults without any psychological or neurological disorders \nparticipated either in 10 neurofeedback training sessions to increase the amplitude of a \nfrequency band between 12 and 15 Hz (sensorimotor rhythm - SMR) or in ten mock \nneurofeedback sessions. Pre and post training measures of memory and executive \nfunctions were completed, along with quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) \nmeasurements in order to detect changes after the training course. Furthermore, \nmeasures of SMR amplitude were taken within and across sessions to determine \nwhether self-regulation of SMR had been achieved.\nThe data analysis performed shows no significant differences in cognitive \nperformance between the group who underwent neurofeedback training and the group \nwho underwent mock neurofeedback training. The groups did not show \nelectrophysiological changes after the training. Additionally, no significant changes in \nSMR amplitude or percent time above threshold across or within the 10 sessions were \nfound in the experimental group. Moreover, the data showed a tendency, which\nindicates that the higher the baseline amplitude and absolute power of SMR the less time was spent above threshold during the training and the less increase in SMR \namplitude between baseline and training periods.\nThe findings obtained indicate that neurofeedback training did not affect memory, \nexecutive functions or the QEEG. The absence of significant changes in SMR amplitude \nacross sessions might reflect failure in learning the neurofeedback task and may account \nfor the lack of cognitive improvement and QEEG changes. The fact that the ability to \nself-regulate SMR might be dependent on baseline amplitude has important \nimplications in setting thresholds. Setting thresholds according to baseline levels might \nincrease the difficulty in maintaining SMR above threshold when the baseline is higher.\nFuture research should also address whether baseline amplitude has a predictive value in \ndetermining successful self-regulation of brain activity.
Author: Berta Pacheco
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2149449837