Effects of feedback control on EEG alpha asymmetry during covert mental tasks

EEG alpha (8-12 Hz) was recorded bilaterally from O1-P3 and O2-P4 during two eyes-closed sessions in 40 women. During one session subjects performed two covert right-hemisphere activation tasks and two covert left-hemisphere activation tasks (no-biofeedback condition). During the other session subjects performed the same tasks while trying to control their EEG asymmetries, being provided with EEG asymmetry auditory feedback (biofeedback condition). The ratios of integrated EEG alpha amplitudes were calculated as measure of hemispheric asymmetry, and the number of times that the right and left alpha had the same phase angle was determined as index of hemispheric synchrony (alpha phase index). In both conditions, subjects rated orally after each task their degree of subjective fullfilment of the task. There were significant differences between the EEG asymmetry during right- and left-hemisphere tasks. Significant differences of integrated alpha amplitudes and ratios between the no-biofeedback and biofeedback condition were also found. There was more hemispheric asymmetry in the biofeedback than in the no-biofeedback condition, and a significantly higher alpha phase index. There was no correlation between fullfilment ratings and alpha ratios in the no-biofeedback condition, but there was such correlation during right and left hemisphere tasks in the biofeedback condition. The study demonstrated that biofeedback regulation and covert mental activity can have effects on EEG alpha asymmetry which are cumulative.