EEG‐neurofeedback and executive function enhancement in healthy adults: A systematic review

Viviani, Giada; Vallesi, Antonino · 2021 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13874

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Summary

This systematic review investigates whether electroencephalographic neurofeedback training (EEG-NFT) effectively enhances executive functions in healthy adults. While EEG-NFT is widely used for clinical conditions, its efficacy for "peak performance" in healthy populations remains controversial due to methodological inconsistencies and a lack of rigorous evidence. The authors aimed to assess the reliability of existing evidence regarding NFT's impact on executive functions—such as working memory, task-switching, and response inhibition—and to identify optimal EEG frequency targets for these improvements. The researchers conducted a qualitative synthesis of literature from PubMed, PsychInfo, and Scopus, as the limited number of eligible studies precluded meta-analysis. Inclusion criteria required controlled studies involving healthy adults (including older adults) that used EEG-NFT to target executive functions and measured both electrophysiological and behavioral outcomes. From an initial pool of 711 records, 20 studies met the strict eligibility criteria. These studies were categorized by the targeted EEG frequency band: theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), and low beta (12–20 Hz). The review analyzed whether training these specific oscillations, which are theoretically linked to cognitive control and working memory, resulted in significant behavioral gains compared to control groups. The review provides promising evidence that EEG-NFT can boost executive functions in healthy adults. Studies targeting theta, alpha, and low beta frequencies demonstrated improvements in specific executive domains, such as working memory capacity and inhibitory control. For instance, theta training was associated with enhanced conflict monitoring and working memory, while alpha and low beta training showed benefits in response inhibition and cognitive performance. However, the authors highlight significant methodological weaknesses across the included studies, including heterogeneous protocols, varied definitions of executive functions, and inconsistent control conditions. These limitations hindered quantitative comparisons and reduced the overall robustness of the findings. The significance of this review lies in its confirmation that EEG-NFT is a viable technique for enhancing cognitive performance in healthy individuals, despite the current lack of standardized protocols. The authors conclude that while the evidence is promising, more rigorous studies with shared methodological standards are necessary to establish definitive efficacy. Future research should focus on overcoming heterogeneity in experimental designs and clearly defining optimal frequency targets for specific executive functions to validate NFT as a reliable tool for cognitive enhancement.

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• executive function