Can neurofeedback training enhance performance? An evaluation of the evidence with implications for future research - PubMed

Review

Can neurofeedback training enhance performance? An evaluation of the evidence with implications for future research

David J Vernon. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2005 Dec.

Abstract

There have been many claims regarding the possibilities of performance enhancement training. The aim of such training is for an individual to complete a specific function or task with fewer errors and greater efficiency, resulting in a more positive outcome. The present review examined evidence from neurofeedback training studies to enhance performance in a particular area. Previous research has documented associations between specific cortical states and optimum levels of performance in a range of tasks. This information provides a plausible rationale for the use of neurofeedback to train individuals to enhance their performance. An examination of the literature revealed that neurofeedback training has been utilised to enhance performance from three main areas; sport, cognitive and artistic performance. The review examined evidence from neurofeedback training studies within each of these three areas. Some suggestive findings have been reported with regard to the use of neurofeedback training to enhance performance. However, due to a range of methodological limitations and a general failure to elicit unambiguous changes in baseline EEG activity, a clear association between neurofeedback training and enhanced performance has yet to be established. Throughout, the review highlights a number of recommendations to aid and stimulate future research.

Similar articles

• The effects of neurofeedback training on the spectral topography of the electroencephalogram.

  Egner T, Zech TF, Gruzelier JH. Egner T, et al. Clin Neurophysiol. 2004 Nov;115(11):2452-60. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2004.05.033. Clin Neurophysiol. 2004. PMID: 15465432 Clinical Trial.

• Ecological validity of neurofeedback: modulation of slow wave EEG enhances musical performance.

  Egner T, Gruzelier JH. Egner T, et al. Neuroreport. 2003 Jul 1;14(9):1221-4. doi: 10.1097/01.wnr.0000081875.45938.d1. Neuroreport. 2003. PMID: 12824763

• Validating the efficacy of neurofeedback for optimising performance.

  Gruzelier J, Egner T, Vernon D. Gruzelier J, et al. Prog Brain Res. 2006;159:421-31. doi: 10.1016/S0079-6123(06)59027-2. Prog Brain Res. 2006. PMID: 17071246 Review.

• [Neurofeedback for children with ADHD: a comparison of SCP- and theta/beta-protocols].

  Leins U, Hinterberger T, Kaller S, Schober F, Weber C, Strehl U. Leins U, et al. Prax Kinderpsychol Kinderpsychiatr. 2006;55(5):384-407. Prax Kinderpsychol Kinderpsychiatr. 2006. PMID: 16869483 Clinical Trial. German.

• Critical validation studies of neurofeedback.

  Gruzelier J, Egner T. Gruzelier J, et al. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2005 Jan;14(1):83-104, vi. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2004.07.002. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2005. PMID: 15564053 Review.

Cited by

• 'My Virtual Dream': Collective Neurofeedback in an Immersive Art Environment.

  Kovacevic N, Ritter P, Tays W, Moreno S, McIntosh AR. Kovacevic N, et al. PLoS One. 2015 Jul 8;10(7):e0130129. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130129. eCollection 2015. PLoS One. 2015. PMID: 26154513 Free PMC article.

• Neurofeedback Treatment on Depressive Symptoms and Functional Recovery in Treatment-Resistant Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: an Open-Label Pilot Study.

  Lee YJ, Lee GW, Seo WS, Koo BH, Kim HG, Cheon EJ. Lee YJ, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2019 Nov 4;34(42):e287. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e287. J Korean Med Sci. 2019. PMID: 31674161 Free PMC article.

• Neural substrates of cognitive control under the belief of getting neurofeedback training.

  Ninaus M, Kober SE, Witte M, Koschutnig K, Stangl M, Neuper C, Wood G. Ninaus M, et al. Front Hum Neurosci. 2013 Dec 26;7:914. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00914. eCollection 2013. Front Hum Neurosci. 2013. PMID: 24421765 Free PMC article.

• Mapping the evolution of neurofeedback research: a bibliometric analysis of trends and future directions.

  Wider W, Mutang JA, Chua BS, Pang NTP, Jiang L, Fauzi MA, Udang LN. Wider W, et al. Front Hum Neurosci. 2024 May 10;18:1339444. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1339444. eCollection 2024. Front Hum Neurosci. 2024. PMID: 38799297 Free PMC article.

• Spectral Modification by Operant Conditioning of Cortical Theta Suppression in Rats.

  Roh M, Jang IS, Suk K, Lee MG. Roh M, et al. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2019 Feb 28;17(1):93-104. doi: 10.9758/cpn.2019.17.1.93. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2019. PMID: 30690944 Free PMC article.

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources

• Full Text Sources

  • Ovid Technologies, Inc.
  • Springer