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The Analysis of Electroencephalography Changes Before and After a Single Neurofeedback Alpha/Theta Training Session in University Students

Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback volume 44, pages 173–184 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

The underlying mechanisms of alpha/theta neurofeedback training have not been fully determined. Therefore, this study aimed to test the changes in the brain state feedback during the alpha/theta training. Twenty-seven healthy participants were trained during a single session of the alpha/theta protocol, and the resting quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) was assessed before and after training. QEEG was recorded at eight scalp locations (F3, F4, C3, C4, T3, T4, O1, and O2), and the absolute power, relative power, ratio of sensory-motor rhythm beta (SMR) to theta (RST), ratio of SMR-mid beta to theta (RSMT), ratio of mid beta to theta (RMT), ratio of alpha to high beta (RAHB), and scaling exponent of detrended fluctuation analysis by each band were measured. The results indicated a significant increase of absolute alpha power, especially the slow alpha band, at all electrodes except T3 and T4. Moreover, the relative alpha power, especially the slow alpha band, showed a significant increase at all electrodes. The relative theta power showed a significant decrease at all electrodes, except T3. A significant decrease in relative beta power, relative lower beta power and relative mid beta power was observed at O1. RST (at C4, O1, and O2), RSMT and RMT (at F4, C4, O1 and O2), and RAHB (at all electrodes) showed significant increase. Scaling exponents at all electrodes except T3 showed a significant decrease. These findings indicate that a one-time session of alpha/theta training might have the possibility to enhance both vigilance and concentration, thus stabilizing the overall brain function.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the 2015 Yeungnam University Research Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, 11, Samjeongja-ro, Seongsan-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea

    Young-Ji Lee

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Yeungnam University Medical Center, 317-1, Daemyeong 5-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea

    Hye-Geum Kim, Eun-Jin Cheon & Bon-Hoon Koo

  3. Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea

    Kiseong Kim

  4. Department of Neurology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University, 875, Haeun-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea

    Joong-Hyeon Choi

  5. Department of Psychology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Yeungnam University Medical Center, 317-1, Daemyeong 5-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea

    Ji-Yean Kim

  6. The Graduate School of Public Health and Social Welfare, Kyungil University, 50, Gamasil-gil, Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea

    Jin-Mi Kim

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Lee, YJ., Kim, HG., Cheon, EJ. et al. The Analysis of Electroencephalography Changes Before and After a Single Neurofeedback Alpha/Theta Training Session in University Students. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 44, 173–184 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-019-09432-4

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