Shaping inter-brain plasticity: A feasibility study of enhancing inter-brain synchrony with dyadic neurofeedback

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Social Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Inter-brain synchrony, or coordinated brain activity between individuals, is crucial for social connection.
• Understanding the plasticity of inter-brain synchrony is key to developing interventions for social deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if dyadic neurofeedback can enhance inter-brain synchrony in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG).
• To determine if enhanced IFG synchrony causally increases feelings of social connectedness.

Main Methods:

• Developed a real-time neurofeedback platform using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
• Unacquainted dyads participated in three training sessions with either real or sham neurofeedback.
• Measured changes in inter-brain synchrony, intra-brain co-activation, and self-reported connectedness.

Main Results:

• The neurofeedback group showed significant IFG inter-brain synchrony enhancement by the third session.
• Neural changes correlated with increased feelings of connectedness and altered intra-brain co-activation.
• Effects extended to additional brain regions beyond the IFG.

Conclusions:

• Dyadic neurofeedback demonstrates the plasticity of inter-brain synchrony.
• This training approach shows potential for improving social outcomes and connectedness.
• Further research is needed to clarify regulation strategies and learning trajectories.