VLPFC neurofeedback training significantly reduced negative emotions and increased VLPFC activity during emotion regulation in the high-efficacy group compared to low-efficacy and sham groups.
RCT (n=90)
Randomly assigned
Does VLPFC neurofeedback training improve emotion regulation in participants?
VLPFC neurofeedback training using fNIRS can effectively enhance emotion regulation, with outcomes heavily dependent on individual training efficiency.
• Neurofeedback (NF) training targeting the VLPFC enhances emotion regulation, but individual differences influence outcomes. • Efficiency in NF training is a strong predictor of improved emotion regulation performance. • Increased VLPFC activity during emotion regulation fully mediates the relationship between NF training efficiency and emotion regulation success. • Frequent use of reappraisal strategies in daily life is linked to higher NF training efficiency. The ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) plays a pivotal role in emotion regulation, yet the effectiveness of neurofeedback (NF) training targeting the VLPFC remains uncertain, suggesting significant individual differences in outcomes. In this study, we aimed to clarify these differences by enrolling 90 participants, randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a sham group ( n = 48/42). Participants in the experimental group underwent VLPFC NF training over eight sessions across two consecutive days, while those in the sham group received random signals from functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). To investigate individual variability, participants in the experimental group were further categorized as high or low-efficacy groups based on their training efficiency, determined by the regression slope of VLPFC activity over the sessions. Our results revealed a significant reduction in negative emotions and increased VLPFC activity during emotion regulation in the high-efficacy group, compared to both the low-efficacy group and sham group. Importantly, the benefit in emotion regulation, as reflected by decreased negativity ratings, was predicted by NF training efficiency. Furthermore, the enhancement of VLPFC activity during emotion regulation fully mediated the relationship between NF training efficiency and emotion regulation benefits. Participants with higher VLPFC NF training efficiency exhibited greater engagement of the VLPFC during emotion regulation, leading to superior emotional outcomes. Additionally, VLPFC NF training efficiency was linked to the habitual use of reappraisal strategies in daily life. This study provides novel causal evidence that VLPFC NF training can effectively enhance emotion regulation, highlighting the importance of individual differences in training outcomes. Our findings suggest that NF training targeting the VLPFC offers a promising and personalized intervention strategy for improving emotion regulation, with potential applications for treating emotional disorders. This research underscores the potential of personalized NF approaches, offering new avenues for tailored therapeutic interventions in the future.
Li et al. (Sat,) conducted a rct in Emotion regulation (n=90). VLPFC neurofeedback (NF) training vs. Sham fNIRS signals was evaluated on Reduction in negative emotions and increased VLPFC activity during emotion regulation. VLPFC neurofeedback training significantly reduced negative emotions and increased VLPFC activity during emotion regulation in the high-efficacy group compared to low-efficacy and sham groups.