Neurofeedback

Several neurofeedback protocols exist, with potential additional benefit from use of quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to localize and personalize treatment.

[3][4][5] Neurofeedback has been shown to trigger positive behavioral outcomes, such as relieving symptoms related to psychiatric disorders or improving specific cognitive functions in healthy participants.

[citation needed] In 1924, the German psychiatrist Hans Berger connected several electrodes to a patient's scalp and detected a small current by using a ballistic galvanometer.

[5] Ming-Yang Cheng was instrumental in advancing research on EEG neurofeedback, specifically targeting enhancements in SMR power among skilled golfers.

In this study, half an hour of voluntary control of brain rhythms led to a lasting shift in cortical excitability and intracortical function.

Nonetheless, further distinctions are crucial even within the realm of EEG neurofeedback, as different methodologies of analysis can be chosen, some of which are backed up by a higher number of peer-reviewed studies, whereas for others, scientific literature is scarce, and explanatory models are entirely missing.

The activity involves training the amplitude of a certain frequency band on a defined location on the scalp to higher or lower values.

Thus, EEG wave components that are expected to be beneficial to the training goal are rewarded with positive feedback when appearing and/or increasing in amplitude.

[31][32][33] In the sports domain, SMR training has garnered attention, with a substantial body of research suggesting that enhancing it could improve performance.

[34] This improvement is particularly evident after multiple training sessions[14] designed to enhance motor skills critical for precise movements.

As neurofeedback is explained mostly based on the model of operant conditioning,[38] the sensitivity of the feedback (the difficulty to receive a reward) also plays a role.

[39] Other publications have not found any effect of neurofeedback, apart from placebo, when using automatic thresholds that update every thirty seconds in order to maintain a constant success rate of 80%.