Key result
Participants with high prognostic expectations showed better improvement in reaction time scores after neurofeedback training, with a marginally significant interaction between pre- and post-tests and prognostic expectations (p=0.055).
Why the study?
The study evaluated whether subjects' expectations and neurofeedback training performance predict neurofeedback efficacy in cognitive training by controlling both factors as statistical variables.
Does neurofeedback training improve cognitive performance in psychology students based on prognostic expectations?
Does neurofeedback training improve cognitive performance in psychology students based on prognostic expectations?
High prognostic expectations, rather than actual neurofeedback performance, predict better improvement in reaction time during cognitive training.
Expectations may drive cognitive training gains; hypothesis-generating for neurofeedback efficacy in larger trials.
The present study evaluated whether subjects’ expectations and neurofeedback training performance predict neurofeedback efficacy in cognitive training by controlling both factors as statistical variables. Twenty-two psychology students underwent neurofeedback training, employing beta/theta protocol to enhance beta1 power (13–21 Hz) and suppress theta (4–7 Hz) power. Neurofeedback efficacy was evaluated by behavioral components measured on pre-tests and post-tests employing a visual continuous performance task. The results revealed a significant interaction term between change in reaction time from pre-test to post-test and expectancy effect, indicating that participants with high prognostic expectations showed better improvement in reaction time scores. The data did not reveal that actual neurofeedback performance influenced the post-test measurements of the visual continuous performance task. No significant differences were found for reaction time variability, omission, or commission errors. Possible factors contributing to the results are discussed, and directions for future research are suggested.
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Damanskyy et al. (2021) studied Healthy (n=22). Neurofeedback training (beta/theta protocol) vs. Pre-test (within-subject) was evaluated on Change in reaction time from pre-test to post-test moderated by prognostic expectations (F = 3.68, 95% CI -0.00, 0.04, p=0.055). Participants with high prognostic expectations showed better improvement in reaction time scores after neurofeedback training, with a marginally significant interaction between pre- and post-tests and prognostic expectations (p=0.055).
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