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The Effect of Neurofeedback on Attention Networks

Jamie J. Gallagher1, Áine Maher1 and Michael A. Keane1*
  • 1 Dublin City University, Nursing and Human Sciences, Ireland

The present study aimed to examine the effect of Z-score LORETA Neurofeedback Training (NFT) on attention. Participants (N=20, 10 males) were quasi-randomly assigned to either the NFT group (n=10, 5 males) or the Control group (n=10, 5 males). In the experimental group, the participants first completed the Attention Network Test (ANT). Following this, they completed five sessions of NFT where 4-8 Hz theta activity in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) was trained. It was hypothesised that training theta activity in the ACC would lead to improved attentional executive function as measured by the ANT while not affecting alerting or orienting scores. Following the five NFT sessions the experimental group completed the ANT again. The control group, who did not perform any NFT, completed the ANT twice with a gap of two weeks. As hypothesised, there was a statistically significant improvement in attentional executive function scores by the NFT group compared to the control group with no change in alerting or orienting scores. There was also a significant change in theta activity following EEG analysis. The findings of this study are discussed in relation to the literature.

References

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Keywords: Neurofeedback, LORETA, Z-score Neuorfeedback, electroencephalogram (EEG), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), theta activity, Attention Network Test, Executive Function, Brodmann area 24

Conference: Neuroscience Ireland Young Neuroscientists Symposium 2014 , Dublin, Ireland, 20 Sep - 20 Sep, 2014.

Presentation Type: Poster Presentation

Topic: Early Career Neuroscience

Citation: Gallagher JJ, Maher Á and Keane MA (2014). The Effect of Neurofeedback on Attention Networks. Front. Neurosci. Conference Abstract: Neuroscience Ireland Young Neuroscientists Symposium 2014 . doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2014.87.00044

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Received: 19 Sep 2014; Published Online: 19 Sep 2014.

* Correspondence: Dr. Michael A Keane, Dublin City University, Nursing and Human Sciences, Dublin, Leinster, Dublin 9, Ireland, mikeakeane@gmail.com