fNIRS neurofeedback facilitates emotion regulation: Exploring individual differences over the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex

Abstract

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 VLPFCNF 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 VLPFCNF training efficiency exhibited greater engagement of the VLPFC during emotion regulation, leading to superior emotional outcomes. Additionally, VLPFCNF training efficiency was linked to the habitual use of reappraisal strategies in daily life. This study provides novel causal evidence that VLPFCNF 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.