A Single Session of SMR-Neurofeedback Training Improves Selective Attention Emerging from a Dynamic Structuring of Brain–Heart Interplay
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Summary
This study investigates whether a single session of sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) neurofeedback (NFb) training can improve selective attention in healthy individuals, addressing the practical limitations of long-term NFb protocols. While SMR-NFb is known to enhance attentional processes, previous research relied on multiple sessions, raising questions about participant acceptability. The authors hypothesized that a single session would improve selective attention through a dynamic reorganization of brain–heart interplay, specifically reflected in the multifractality of heartbeat dynamics. The experiment involved 35 healthy young adults randomly assigned to either a neurofeedback group (NFb, n=17) or a control group (Ctrl, n=18). The NFb group underwent a 20-minute single session of SMR-NFb using a headset with EEG electrodes (C3/C4) connected to a smartphone app, while the control group watched a neutral movie. Selective attention was assessed using the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), performed for 8 minutes both before and after the intervention. During the post-intervention SCWT, heart rate variability (HRV) and EEG data were collected for 20 minutes. The study utilized multiscale multifractal analysis and refined composite multiscale sample entropy to evaluate the complexity and information flux of heartbeat dynamics. Results indicated that the NFb group demonstrated significantly better Stroop performance compared to the control group, particularly during incongruent trials which require higher selective attention. Statistical analysis revealed that both the multifractality of HRV and the efficacy of the NFb training were strong predictors of the gain in global Stroop performance. Notably, multifractality was the sole predictor for performance on incongruent trials. These findings suggest that the improvement in attention is not merely a cognitive effect but is linked to specific changes in autonomic regulation. The study concludes that a single session of SMR-NFb is sufficient to improve selective attention in healthy individuals. This improvement emerges from a specific reorganization of brain–heart interplay, characterized by changes in the multifractal structure of heartbeat dynamics. The findings support the concept of neurovisceral integration, suggesting that cognitive enhancements via neurofeedback are coupled with autonomic adjustments. This work validates the potential of single-session NFb as a viable, acceptable intervention for enhancing cognitive functions, providing a mechanistic link between brainwave modulation, autonomic complexity, and attentional performance.
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| Stage | Outcome | Tool | Model | Prompt | Attempts | Completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| discover | success | Crossref | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-11 |
| archive | success | openalex | — | — | 5 | 2026-06-25 |
| extract | success | cached | — | — | 2 | 2026-06-25 |
| clean | success | clean | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-11 |
| chunk | success | chunk | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-11 |
| embed | success | embed | Qwen/Qwen3-Embedding-8B | — | 1 | 2026-06-11 |
| promote | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-11 |
| summarize | success | llm | qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant | summ-v5 | 1 | 2026-06-25 |
| tag | success | vector_similarity | — | — | 6 | 2026-06-11 |
| verify | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-26 |
Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-25; verification: verified.
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