Sensorimotor rhythm neurofeedback training and auditory perception

Abstract

Background/Aim. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) (12-15 Hz) neurofeedback (NFB) training on auditory cognition measured by achievement on the QuickSIN test, changes in the amplitudes and latencies of evoked potentials in auditory oddball discrimination task and changes in the spectral power of the sensorimotor rhythm. Methods. Each of 16 healthy participants aged 25-40 years (8 male) had 20 daily sessions of SMR neurofeedback training. Auditory cognitive functions and electrophysiological correlates of cognitive processing were recorded 5 times: before NFB, after 5, 10, and 20 sessions, and one month after the last session. Results. The results showed a statistically significant decrease in N200 and P300 latencies at Fz, Cz, and Pz regions, improvement on the QuickSIN test and increase in EEG SMR rhythm spectral power in Cz region as a result of NFB SMR training. No significant effect of NFB training on the amplitude of N100, N200 and P300 on Fz, Cz and Pz was found. Conclusion.The obtained results suggest that sensorimotor rhythm training (SMR) neurofeedback (NFB) affects auditory perception in terms of shorter latencies of evoked potentials and better performance on QuickSIN test.