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Do Miniature Eye Movements Affect Neurofeedback Training Performance? A Combined EEG-Eye Tracking Study.
Silvia Erika Kober1,2, Guilherme Wood3,4, Sarah Schuster3
1Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 2/III, 8010, Graz, Austria. silvia.kober@uni-graz.at.
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
|March 16, 2024
Summary
Neurofeedback training can enhance brain activity, but eye movements can interfere. Miniature eye movements, though hard to detect, significantly impact Gamma frequency power during training, yet may not hinder overall performance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biofeedback
- Signal Processing
Background:
- Electroencephalography (EEG)-based neurofeedback modulates brain activity.
- Artifacts like eye movements can confound neurofeedback performance.
- Involuntary miniature eye movements are difficult to detect and correct using conventional methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate self-control of EEG power during neurofeedback.
- Determine if miniature eye movements provoke changes in EEG power.
- Assess the impact of miniature eye movements on neurofeedback training outcomes.
Main Methods:
- 24 participants underwent SMR and Gamma neurofeedback training sessions.
- Sham feedback sessions were included for comparison.
- An eye tracker monitored miniature eye movements (<1°) during training.
Main Results:
- Two-thirds of participants increased SMR power; one-third increased Gamma power.
- Miniature eye movements strongly increased Gamma power.
- No significant relationship was found between eye movements and neurofeedback training performance.
Conclusions:
- Miniature eye movements significantly influence Gamma power during neurofeedback.
- While not significantly impacting performance, miniature eye movements warrant attention.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
