Session frequency matters in neurofeedback training of athletes

• Published in: Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback Vol. 46; no. 2; pp. 195 - 204
• Main Authors: Domingos, Christophe, Peralta, Miguel, Prazeres, Pedro, Nan, Wenya, Rosa, Agostinho, Pereira, José G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer Nature 01.06.2021; Springer US; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Athletes; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Biofeedback; Biofeedback training; Cognition; Cognition & reasoning; EEG; Electroencephalography; Embryos; Exercise; Feedback; Health Psychology; Individual alpha band; Neurofeedback training; Physical fitness; Psychology; Psychotherapy and Counseling; Public Health; Session frequency; Athletes; Individual alpha band; Neurofeedback training; EEG; Session frequency
• ISSN: 1090-0586; 1573-3270
• DOI: 10.1007/s10484-021-09505-3

© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer Nature 2021. Neurofeedback training has been an increasingly used technique and is taking its first steps in sport. Being at an embryonic stage, it is difficult to find consensus regarding the applied methodology to achieve the best results. This study focused on understanding one of the major methodological issues—the training session frequency. The aim of the investigation was to understand if there are differences between performing two sessions or three sessions per week in enhancement of alpha activity and improvement of cognition; and in case there are differences, infer the best protocol. Forty-five athletes were randomly assigned to the three-session-training-per-week group, the two-session-training-per-week group and a control group. The results showed that neurofeedback training with three sessions per week was more effective in increase of alpha amplitude during neurofeedback training than two sessions per week. Furthermore, only the three-session-per-week group showed significant enhancement in N-back and oddball performance after training. The findings suggested more condensed training protocol lead to better outcomes, providing guidance on neurofeedback protocol design in order to optimize training efficacy.