Effects of Neurofeedback Training on Attentional Deficits in Patients With Acquired Brain Injury

Summary

The goal of this study is to investigate new neuromodulation therapies for attention deficits following acquired brain injury. Brain damage can affect various domains, including motor and cognitive functions. However, cognitive deficits have many consequences on the functionality and independence of patients, and attention is an essential requirement for most of daily activities. After brain damage, cognitive rehabilitation is generally the first treatment option for attention deficits. Some studies have shown that cognitive rehabilitation is sometimes not very effective.

For this reason, new therapies such as neuromodulation techniques are being investigated. Neurofeedback is a non-invasive neuromodulation therapy involving a type of computer-based training and learning, and some studies have shown that it is a promising tool to treat cognitive deficits in patients with brain injuries.

In the present study, the investigators will evaluate the effects of neurofeedback as a therapy for attentional deficits after brain injury. Participants undergoing neurofeedback and cognitive therapy will be compared to participants only receiving cognitive therapy.

Conditions

• Brain Injuries
• Attention Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Neurofeedback training

Neurofeedback (NF) or electroencephalographic feedback (EEG) training refers to a type of computerized cognitive training that changes EEG patterns through operant conditioning. NF is a computerized rehabilitation technique but also a non-invasive neuromodulation approach, as it alters brain activity by delivering a stimulus. It is well-established for the treatment of conditions such as anxiety and ADHD. During NF rehabilitative training, the subject is provided with real-time EEG feedback, usually with a visual or auditory stimulus, with the aim of normalizing brain oscillations. Rehabilitation through NF training generally targets EEG frequencies that are affected and underlie the observed behavioral deficit (e.g., attentional dysfunctions).

BEHAVIORAL

Standard cognitive therapy

This is the control intervention and it involves standard practice cognitive therapy in neurorehabilitation. Neuropsychologists and other clinicians test and train the patients' cognitive specific aspect (in this case, attention) with some validated tools and/or games

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Horizon 2020 - European Commission

  collaborator OTHER

• Hospitales Nisa

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

85 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-10-01

Primary Completion

2025-06-30

Completion

2025-10-01

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations