Neurofeedback in old age - increasing mental performance
Neurofeedback and age - sustainably increasing mental performance
Neurofeedback for ageing and mental performance - innovative, scientifically sound
Who is Neuroflex suitable for?
For senior citizens who want to maintain or improve their memory, attention and mental flexibility.
Do you know that?
Names slip your mind faster, multitasking becomes more difficult? Neurofeedback can act as mental fitness training and strengthen cognitive reserves.
How does neurofeedback help?
- Targeted alpha peak frequency training increases processing speed;
- SMR stimulation improves sleep quality, which in turn promotes memory consolidation.
Study situation:
Randomized studies (e.g. Reis et al. 2023) show significant improvements in working memory tests after 20 sessions with maintenance effects after 6 months.
Procedure of the training, which combines mobile neurofeedback and in-practice training
Start - initial consultation, trial training, cognitive screening and qEEG
Phase 1 - Initial phase
(10 sessions)
Phase 2 - In-depth phase
(further 15-20 sessions)
Phase 3 - Transfer phase incl. home training
Studies on neurofeedback for age and mental performance
In her article:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-018-9415-9
Lavy Y, Dwolatzky T, Kaplan Z, Guez J, Todder D. Neurofeedback improves memory and peak alpha frequency in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2018 Oct 4.
Lavy and colleagues (2018) investigated the extent to which EEG-based neurofeedback (NF) influences memory performance and brain activity in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The focus was particularly on the so-called peak alpha frequency (PAF), i.e. the individual maximum amplitude in the alpha frequency band (approx. 8-12 Hz).
Study design and method
Participants: The study included people with diagnosed MCI who had memory difficulties but did not yet have manifest dementia.
Intervention: Over a period of five weeks (ten sessions in total), the participants received neurofeedback training in which they learned to specifically modulate their brain waves in the alpha range.
Measurements: Before and after the training phase, the study team recorded both neuropsychological data (memory tests) and EEG parameters. There was a particular focus on the peak alpha frequency (PAF).
Results
Memory performance
After the neurofeedback training, there was a significant improvement in memory functions. In particular, tests that measured verbal memory and recall performance showed higher values compared to the baseline measurement.
Peak alpha frequency
The PAF was in a slightly higher frequency range after training than before. Since a lower PAF is often associated with cognitive impairment, this increase indicates a possible normalization or strengthening of alpha activity.
Sustainability and mechanisms
A follow-up study showed that the effects on memory and PAF were still observable. The authors attribute this to the participants’ learned ability to better regulate their brain activity.
Mechanistically, the training could support neuronal network connectivity in the frequency range that is relevant for memory and attention processes.
Conclusion
This study provides initial evidence that neurofeedback could be a useful non-drug supplement to improve memory and neuronal activity in MCI patients. The increased peak alpha frequency is seen as an indicator of a favorable change in brain activity. However, the authors emphasize the need for further, larger-scale studies to clearly demonstrate the efficacy and long-term effects.
In the article
Jirayucharoensak_2019_Agamebasedneurofeedbacktrainigforhealthysubjectsandmildcognitiveimpairmentpatients-211101-153936.pdf
presents a neurofeedback-based training system (NFT) designed to improve the cognitive performance of older people – both healthy individuals and those affected by amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). A total of 119 female participants were examined (65 with aMCI, 54 healthy controls).
The test subjects were divided into three groups:
- Routine care only (Care as Usual, CAU)
- CAU plus exergame training
- CAU plus neurofeedback training (NFT)
All participants completed various cognitive tests (e.g. from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery – CANTAB) at the beginning and after around three months.
The results showed that
neurofeedback training (NFT) led to a significant improvement in spatial working memory performance (measured by spatial working memory, including strategy use) and an increase in the ability to sustain visual attention (rapid visual processing). These positive effects occurred in both the healthy older participants and the aMCI patients.
Exergame training, on the other hand, particularly improved attention span and working memory in the sense of the “spatial span” task.
Before the study began, patients with aMCI showed deficits in various areas of memory and attention (e.g. spatial working memory and pattern recognition). However, NFT significantly improved the use of strategies in spatial memory tasks in particular.
Pattern recognition and short-term memory (e.g. “pattern recognition memory”), on the other hand, remained largely unchanged by the NFT.
The group of authors concludes that the playful neurofeedback concept can be used to specifically improve certain cognitive areas – in particular strategic ability, working memory and sustained attention. Exergames, on the other hand, address attention span and cognitive processing speed to a greater extent. In the future, a combined application of neurofeedback and exergame approaches could be promising for further improvement of several performance facets. Neuroflex offers the combination, please ask.
In this pilot study
JungHee_2019_Betawaveenhancementneurofeedbackmildcognitiveimpairment-211101-153936.pdf
This study investigated whether neurofeedback (NF) training to increase beta-wave activity (12-15 Hz) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) can improve cognitive functions in five patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The training consisted of a total of 16 sessions (twice a week for eight weeks). The Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K) served as the primary measure. In addition, neurocognitive tests (CNS Vital Signs) and hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) were recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during a working memory task with emotional distraction.
Most important results:
- Improved cognitive performance
- After completing the training, the total MoCA-K values increased significantly.
- In particular, the participants’ working memory, attention and reaction time, as measured by the CNS Vital Signs, improved.
Increase in beta wave activity
Over the course of the 16 training sessions, there was an increase in beta wave activity (electroencephalogram, EEG) in the target region (dlPFC). At the same time, the individual threshold above which people received positive feedback increased.
These results indicate that the participants learned to modulate their beta activity themselves (“operant conditioning”).
fNIRS results (PFC activation)
In some patients, reduced oxygen saturation (oxy-Hb) was observed in the prefrontal cortex before training, particularly when emotionally stressful images were presented (distraction during the memory task).
After completing the NF training, one participant showed a normalization or recovery of this PFC activation during emotional distraction, which suggests a possible stabilization of brain activity in distraction situations. However, there were individual differences: Not everyone reacted in the same way.
Conclusion:
The study suggests that beta-wave-based neurofeedback training could improve cognitive functions in individuals with MCI, particularly working memory, attention and executive functions. The fNIRS data suggest that activation in the prefrontal cortex – especially during emotional distraction – can be positively influenced by NF training. However, due to the small sample size and lack of a control group, larger, randomized studies are required to clearly demonstrate the effectiveness and sustainability of this method.
In this study
Luijmes RE, Pouwels S, Boonman J. The effectiveness of neurofeedback on cognitive functioning in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: preliminary results. Neurophysiol Clin. 2016;46(3):179-187.
Luijmes and colleagues investigated the extent to which EEG-based neurofeedback (NF) can positively influence the cognitive performance of Alzheimer’s patients. As part of a preliminary results study, they carried out a training program aimed primarily at reducing theta waves and strengthening certain beta and alpha components in the EEG. The participants’ cognitive performance was tested before and after the NF treatment.
Study design and method
- This was a small sample of patients who had already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia.
- The participants received neurofeedback sessions over several weeks in which they were to learn to regulate their brain activity in the target areas (e.g. reduction of excessive theta activity).
- Various cognitive tests (e.g. on memory performance, attention and executive functions) were used to record changes.
Most important results
- The study provided initial evidence that neurofeedback could improve memory and other cognitive domains in Alzheimer’s patients.
- There was a slight but measurable improvement after the NF intervention, particularly with regard to memory functions (e.g. memory and recall ability).
- However, the effects were not equally pronounced in all cognitive areas; in some areas no significant changes were observed.
- Even if the exact neural mechanisms are not conclusively clarified, the results indicate that training can modify brain activity in frequency ranges that play a role in cognitive processes in Alzheimer’s disease.
Conclusion
The preliminary data show that neurofeedback could possibly be a complementary method to slow down cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients or at least support individual cognitive functions. However, as this is a preliminary study with a small number of participants, the authors emphasize the need for larger, controlled studies in order to comprehensively test the effectiveness and the specific mechanisms of action.
Learning difficulties - even in adulthood
In this article
Becerra J, Fernández T, Roca-Stappung M, et al. Neurofeedback in healthy elderly human subjects with electroencephalographic risk for cognitive disorder. J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;28(2):357-367.
PubMed:
DOI link (IOS Press):
https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2011-110777
Becerra and colleagues (2012) report on a study in which they carried out neurofeedback training in older, supposedly healthy people with an “EEG risk for cognitive disorders” in order to intercept possible cognitive deficits at an early stage or to reduce their progression. The EEG risk manifested itself in increased theta and reduced alpha/beta activity, for example, which can be interpreted as an indication of impending cognitive losses in previous studies.
Structure of the study and procedure
Participant selection
The subjects were older adults who had no clinical diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive deficit, but who showed abnormalities in the EEG analysis (e.g. elevated theta band).
Neurofeedback training
- Over several sessions (typically one or two per week), the participants learned to regulate their brain activity in a targeted manner with the help of real-time EEG feedback.
- The training goal was to reduce certain slow frequencies (e.g. theta) and promote alpha and beta bands, which are associated with better cognitive performance.
Measurement and assessment
- EEG recordings were made before and after the training to record the changes in the target frequency bands.
- In addition, the test subjects underwent cognitive test batteries that assessed memory functions, attention and executive performance, among other things.
Central results
EEG modulation: After the neurofeedback training, a significant reduction in theta activity and an increase in alpha and beta frequencies was observed in the test subjects – particularly in the frontal and parietal regions.
Cognitive improvement: At the same time, the results in cognitive tests improved, especially in the areas of memory and attention.
Preventive approach: The authors interpret these changes as an indication that timely EEG-based intervention can counteract potential cognitive decline processes before a clinically manifest disorder (e.g. MCI or dementia) develops.
Significance and outlook
The findings suggest that neurofeedback in older adults without overt dementia but with an EEG risk profile could be an effective, non-pharmacological measure to prevent possible deterioration in cognitive function. However, the authors recommend follow-up studies with larger samples and long-term designs to validate the sustainability of these effects and optimal training parameters.
Do you have any questions? I am here for you.
Wolfgang Maier
MA in Special Education HfH
MAS in Neuropsychology UZH
Wolfgang Maier
MA in Special Education HfH
MAS in Neuropsychology UZH