Improving cognitive control: Is theta neurofeedback training associated with proactive rather than reactive control...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Neurofeedback

Background:

• Frontal-midline (FM) theta activity (4-8 Hz) is linked to cognitive control processes like working memory and interference resolution.
• Previous neurofeedback training (NFT) studies show mixed results regarding transfer to different cognitive control types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if FM theta NFT enhances performance and modulates EEG in proactive (DMTS) and reactive (Stroop) control tasks.
• To examine the temporal dynamics of transfer effects over two posttests.

Main Methods:

• Participants underwent seven 30-min NFT sessions, with a training group upregulating FM theta and a control group upregulating random frequencies.
• Performance on DMTS and Stroop tasks was assessed at one day and 13 days post-training.

Main Results:

• The FM theta training group showed improved retention in the DMTS task 13 days post-training, linked to theta increase.
• No significant behavioral or EEG changes were observed in the Stroop task, suggesting NFT benefits proactive, not reactive, control.
• Early transfer (1 day post-training) was not significant for either task, and behavioral improvements lacked accompanying EEG modulation.

Conclusions:

• FM theta NFT may support cognitive control enhancement that manifests late after training.
• The findings suggest NFT is associated with improvements in proactive control, with potential contributions from training-unspecific factors.