Active role of participants in neuroempowerment training and supportive neurotechnologies: a theoretical-methodological perspective

Benedetta VignatiDavide Crivelli^*

• Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milano, Italy

This perspective paper examines the relevance and implications of fostering an active role for participants in neuroempowerment and applied healthcare research, particularly within remote, home-based intervention protocols. Anchored in key psychological constructs -self-efficacy, selfdetermination, and agency -we argue that the intentional engagement of individuals in their own self-care and enhancement processes is critical to both intervention success and the ecological validity of research outcomes. These constructs provide a framework through which participants are not only involved but become co-agents in shaping their health trajectories. Advances in mobile health technologies and wearable neurotechnologies, such as neurofeedback and biofeedback systems, may further enable participants to access real-time insights into their physiological and neurocognitive states. These tools translate internal processes into actionable feedback, supporting self-regulation, sustained motivation, and embodied learning. Such interactive feedback mechanisms may help bridging unconscious or pre-reflective bodily signals with conscious awareness, thus promoting neurocognitive autonomy. We propose that empowerment-based interventionsespecially those incorporating wearable systems -should be intentionally designed to reinforce autonomy, competence, and relatedness, fostering engagement and long-term behavioral change. This participatory model moves beyond traditional therapist-centered approaches, emphasizing personalized, scalable, and self-directed care. Additionally, we highlight the need for research methodologies that recognize participants as co-constructors of their own empowerment paths, encouraging future studies to adopt inclusive, action-oriented frameworks. By integrating psychological theory, neuroscientific models, and digital health innovations, this perspective outlines a multidimensional approach to neuroempowerment, aimed at promoting self-awareness, agency, and meaningful transformation in both clinical and non-clinical populations.