Specific effects of EEG based neurofeedback training on memory functions in post-stroke victims

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) based neurofeedback (NF) directly modulates brain activity and its cortical substrates.
• Investigated stroke patients' ability to control brain activity via NF and its effects on cognitive recovery, particularly memory.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of different NF protocols in stroke patients.
• To assess the impact of NF on memory recovery and other cognitive functions post-stroke.

Main Methods:

• 17 stroke patients underwent up to ten sessions of either Sensorimotor Rhythm (SMR) or Upper Alpha NF training.
• A control group of 7 stroke patients received treatment as usual.
• 40 healthy controls also performed NF training for comparison.
• Cognitive functions were assessed using a test battery before and after NF training.

Main Results:

• Approximately 70% of both stroke patients and healthy controls showed improved NF performance and enhanced verbal memory.
• SMR NF group demonstrated specific improvements in visuo-spatial short-term memory.
• Upper Alpha NF group showed specific improvements in working memory.
• NF training effects on memory were more pronounced than traditional cognitive training methods in stroke patients.

Conclusions:

• Stroke survivors with memory deficits can benefit from NF training comparably to healthy individuals.
• Specific and unspecific memory improvements were observed with SMR and Upper Alpha NF protocols.
• NF presents a potential effective cognitive rehabilitation strategy for post-stroke memory impairments.