Neurofeedback of Beta band components: frequency specific effects on attention and reaction time of athletes

Previous research has established that high compared to low-frequency EEG oscillatory activity is related to better performance on attention and reaction time (RT) tasks. In the same vein, learning to enhance the power of the high frequency, i.e. Beta band, or inhibit the low frequency, i.e. Theta, or reducing the ratio of low to high frequency, called Theta/Beta ratio (TBR), by means of neurofeedback (NF) has been reported to improve the performance of attention and RT. The aim of this study was to explore the frequency-specific effects on different aspects of attention and RT performance: stimulus detection, attentional processing, and motor execution. To this end, NF training (NFT) of TBR (Theta: 4–7 Hz, mid Beta: 15–18 Hz) and low Beta (or sensory motor rhythm [SMR], 12–15 Hz) was compared. Participants (n538, soccer players), following 2 baseline measurements, were randomly allocated to train 10 sessions with either TBR, or SMR, or 1 session with sham protocols. The effect of the training was measured by simple RT (SRT), in which participants responded to the onset of one stimulus, and choice RT (CRT), in which participants responded differently to target among non-target stimuli. The TBR group showed a reduced TBR following NFT, whereas the SMR group showed no change in their trained frequency. Further, only the TBR group performed faster on the CRT task, supporting a protocol specific effect. A lack of change in SRT could be due to a floor effect in our sample of athletes. These findings suggest a role for NFT in optimizing some aspects of the athlete’s performance.     «

Previous research has established that high compared to low-frequency EEG oscillatory activity is related to better performance on attention and reaction time (RT) tasks. In the same vein, learning to enhance the power of the high frequency, i.e. Beta band, or inhibit the low frequency, i.e. Theta, or reducing the ratio of low to high frequency, called Theta/Beta ratio (TBR), by means of neurofeedback (NF) has been reported to improve the performance of attention and RT. The aim of this st...     »