Use of neurofeedback to enhance attention after brain injury
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Effect of Neurofeedback Training on Sustained Attention and Mind Wandering Events in Patients with Brain Injury: A pilot randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
199664
Contact name
Gabriela Paz Cruz San Martin
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 31 days
Research summary
People who have undergone brain injury are more prone to lapses of attention than neurologically healthy population, reducing their ability to successfully engage in goal-directed behaviour. To deal with attentional difficulties is at the core of cognitive rehabilitation programs, but improvement is moderated. The present research proposal aims at improving sustained attention and reducing mind-wandering events by means of self-regulating brain activity using neurofeedback. Neurofeedback allows the voluntary regulation of electrical brain activity based on online feedback received from electrodes attached to the scalp. For this study, participants will learn to decrease alpha power (typically between 8 and 12 Hz) during neurofeedback training. Decrease in alpha power is related to improved sensory attentional processing (i.e. externally oriented attention). We hypothesise that practicing alpha desynchronization can improve sustained attention and reduce mind-wandering events by making externally oriented attentional tasks (e.g. follow a conversation) more resistant to interference (e.g. unrelated internal thoughts). In addition, to investigate the mechanisms underlying neurofeedback, we will evaluate the extent to which successful alpha down-regulation relates to measures of alpha variability, considered a general markers of healthy brain function. However, before assessing the effectiveness of the intervention, it is necessary to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability thereof. In the present pilot randomised controlled trial we will recruit 14 participants and randomly assign them to two groups: a NFB group and a video games control group. To finally evaluate whether a full-scale efficacy trial is recommendable.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
17/WS/0211
Date of REC Opinion
5 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion