Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Dec 21;12(1):5.
doi: 10.3390/brainsci12010005.

Cognitive Training with Neurofeedback Using NIRS Improved Cognitive Functions in Young Adults: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Rui Nouchi  1   2 , Haruka Nouchi  1 , Jerome Dinet  3   4 , Ryuta Kawashima  2   5
Affiliations

Cognitive Training with Neurofeedback Using NIRS Improved Cognitive Functions in Young Adults: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Rui Nouchi et al. Brain Sci. .

Abstract

(1) Background: A previous study has shown that cognitive training with neurofeedback (CT-NF) using down-regulation improves cognitive functions in young adults. Neurofeedback has two strategies for manipulating brain activity (down-regulation and upregulation). However, the benefit of CT-NF with the upregulation of cognitive functions is still unknown. In this study, we investigated whether the upregulation of CT-NF improves a wide range of cognitive functions compared to cognitive training alone. (2) Methods: In this double-blinded randomized control trial (RCT), 60 young adults were randomly assigned to one of three groups: CT-NF group, CT alone group, and an active control (ACT) group who played a puzzle game. Participants in the three groups used the same device (tablet PC and 2ch NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy)) and performed the training game for 20 min every day for four weeks. We measured brain activity during training in all groups, but only CT-NFs received NF. We also measured a wide range of cognitive functions before and after the intervention period. (3) Results: The CT-NF groups showed superior beneficial effects on episodic memory, working memory, and attention compared to the CT alone and ACT groups. In addition, the CT-NF group showed an increase in brain activity during CT, which was associated with improvements in cognitive function. (4) Discussion: This study first demonstrated that the CT-NF using the upregulation strategy has beneficial effects on cognitive functions compared to the CT alone. Our results suggest that greater brain activities during CT would enhance a benefit from CT.

Keywords: NIRS; cognitive improvement; cognitive training; dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; neurofeedback.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

This study was supported by NeU Corporation. NeU developed the two-channel portable NIRS device (HOT 1000) and cognitive training. Professor Ryuta Kawashima is CTO at NeU and developed the brain training game in collaboration with NeU. However, these companies were not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, or writing of the manuscript. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cognitive training with neurofeedback system. (A) The 2 channel NIRS devise set in the bilateral DLPFC. (B) The training device contained a tablet PC (MediaPad M3 lite, Huawei, Japan) and a portable NIRS device (HOT-1000, NeU, Japan). A tablet PC was used to perform the training and stored training performance. (C) The background color changed in real time from blue to red depending on the neurofeedback signals.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CONSORT diagram.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Examples of cognitive training games. (A) speed calculation, (B) number touch, (C) symbol touch, (D) name of key span, (E) dot matrix span, (F) digit number span, (G) concentration speed calculation, (H) triple circle timing touch, and (I) timing touch with a smile.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Takeuchi H., Taki Y., Nouchi R., Hashizume H., Sekiguchi A., Kotozaki Y., Nakagawa S., Miyauchi C.M., Sassa Y., Kawashima R. Effects of working memory training on functional connectivity and cerebral blood flow during rest. Cortex. 2013;49:2106–2125. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2012.09.007. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Nouchi R., Saito T., Nouchi H., Kawashima R. Small Acute Benefits of 4 Weeks Processing Speed Training Games on Processing Speed and Inhibition Performance and Depressive Mood in the Healthy Elderly People: Evidence from a Randomized Control Trial. Front. Aging Neurosci. 2016;8:302. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00302. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Nouchi R., Taki Y., Takeuchi H., Hashizume H., Akitsuki Y., Shigemune Y., Sekiguchi A., Kotozaki Y., Tsukiura T., Yomogida Y., et al. Brain Training Game Improves Executive Functions and Processing Speed in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PLoS ONE. 2012;7:e29676. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029676. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Nouchi R., Kawata N.Y.D.S., Saito T., Himmelmeier R.M., Nakamura R., Nouchi H., Kawashima R. Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Activity during a Brain Training Game Predicts Cognitive Improvements after Four Weeks’ Brain Training Game Intervention: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Brain Sci. 2020;10:560. doi: 10.3390/brainsci10080560. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Brehmer Y., Westerberg H., Bäckman L. Working-memory training in younger and older adults: Training gains, transfer, and maintenance. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 2012;6:63. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00063. - DOI - PMC - PubMed