Silvia Erika Kober1, Daniela Pinter2, Christian Enzinger3, Anna Damulina4, Heiko Duckstein5, Siegrid Fuchs6, Christa Neuper7, Guilherme Wood8. 1. University of Graz, Institute of Psychology, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria. Electronic address: silvia.kober@uni-graz.at. 2. Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria. Electronic address: daniela.pinter@medunigraz.at. 3. Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria; Medical University of Graz, Division of Neuroradiology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Graz, Austria. Electronic address: chris.enzinger@medunigraz.at. 4. Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria. Electronic address: anna.damulina@medunigraz.at. 5. HASOMED GmbH, Magdeburg, Germany. Electronic address: Heiko.Duckstein@hasomed.de. 6. Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria. Electronic address: siegrid.fuchs@klinikum-graz.at. 7. University of Graz, Institute of Psychology, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria; Graz University of Technology, Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interfaces, Institute of Neural Engineering, Graz, Austria. Electronic address: christa.neuper@uni-graz.at. 8. University of Graz, Institute of Psychology, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria. Electronic address: guilherme.wood@uni-graz.at.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of EEG-based neurofeedback training, in which one can learn to self-regulate one's own brain activity, on cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). METHODS: Fourteen pwMS performed ten neurofeedback training sessions within 3-4 weeks at home using a tele-rehabilitation system. The aim of the neurofeedback training was to increase voluntarily the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR, 12-15 Hz) in the EEG over central brain areas by receiving visual real-time feedback thereof. Cognitive function was assessed before and after all neurofeedback training sessions using a comprehensive standardized neuropsychological test battery. RESULTS: Half of the pwMS (N = 7) showed cognitive improvements in long-term memory and executive functions after neurofeedback training. These patients successfully learned to self-regulate their own brain activity by means of neurofeedback training. The other half of pwMS (N = 7) did neither show any cognitive changes when comparing the pre- and post-assessment nor were they able to modulate their own brain activity in the desired direction during neurofeedback training. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this interventional study provide first preliminary evidence that successful self-regulation of one's own brain activity may be associated with cognitive improvements in pwMS. SIGNIFICANCE: These promising results should stimulate further studies. Neurofeedback might be a promising and alternative tool for future cognitive rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of EEG-based neurofeedback training, in which one can learn to self-regulate one's own brain activity, on cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). METHODS: Fourteen pwMS performed ten neurofeedback training sessions within 3-4 weeks at home using a tele-rehabilitation system. The aim of the neurofeedback training was to increase voluntarily the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR, 12-15 Hz) in the EEG over central brain areas by receiving visual real-time feedback thereof. Cognitive function was assessed before and after all neurofeedback training sessions using a comprehensive standardized neuropsychological test battery. RESULTS: Half of the pwMS (N = 7) showed cognitive improvements in long-term memory and executive functions after neurofeedback training. These patients successfully learned to self-regulate their own brain activity by means of neurofeedback training. The other half of pwMS (N = 7) did neither show any cognitive changes when comparing the pre- and post-assessment nor were they able to modulate their own brain activity in the desired direction during neurofeedback training. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this interventional study provide first preliminary evidence that successful self-regulation of one's own brain activity may be associated with cognitive improvements in pwMS. SIGNIFICANCE: These promising results should stimulate further studies. Neurofeedback might be a promising and alternative tool for future cognitive rehabilitation.
Authors: Iahn Cajigas; Kevin C Davis; Benyamin Meschede-Krasa; Noeline W Prins; Sebastian Gallo; Jasim Ahmad Naeem; Anne Palermo; Audrey Wilson; Santiago Guerra; Brandon A Parks; Lauren Zimmerman; Katie Gant; Allan D Levi; W Dalton Dietrich; Letitia Fisher; Steven Vanni; John Michael Tauber; Indie C Garwood; John H Abel; Emery N Brown; Michael E Ivan; Abhishek Prasad; Jonathan Jagid Journal: Brain Commun Date: 2021-10-21