Neurofeedback and tDCS in Motor Imagery: Which is More Effective?

Author Names

Shun Sawai, Shin Murata, Shoya Fujikawa, Ryosuke Yamamoto, Keisuke Shima, Hideki Nakano

Published Date: March 2023

Journal Name: Frontiers in Neuroscience

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial explores the combined effects of neurofeedback (NFB) training and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on motor imagery (MI) performance. Twenty healthy young men were divided into two groups: one received only NFB during MI tasks, while the other received tDCS before engaging in the same NFB-assisted MI tasks. The study found that combining tDCS with NFB significantly improved motor imagery vividness and event-related desynchronization (ERD) compared to NFB alone. These findings suggest that tDCS can enhance the effectiveness of NFB in motor imagery training, potentially offering a new approach to neurorehabilitation.

Key Concepts

• Neurofeedback (NFB): A technique that provides real-time feedback on brain activity to improve mental processes such as motor imagery.

• Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): A non-invasive brain stimulation technique that modulates cortical excitability, potentially enhancing cognitive and motor functions.

• Motor Imagery (MI): The mental process of imagining a physical movement without actually performing it, used in rehabilitation and sports training to improve motor skills.

• Event-Related Desynchronization (ERD): A measure of the decrease in brain wave synchronization during motor imagery, indicating the effectiveness of mental practice.

• Literature Review: Previous studies have explored NFB and tDCS individually, but this study investigates their combined effect, filling a gap in the research on motor imagery enhancement.

Procedure Highlights - Research Methodology

1. Study Design: A randomized controlled trial involving 20 healthy young men, divided into two groups: one receiving only NFB and the other receiving tDCS followed by NFB during motor imagery tasks.

2. Participants: 20 right-handed men aged around 20 years with no history of motor or cognitive dysfunction. They were randomly assigned to either the NFB group (n=10) or the tDCS + NFB group (n=10).

3. Interventions:

• NFB Group: Participants performed 60 motor imagery tasks with NFB feedback.

• tDCS + NFB Group: Participants received 10 minutes of tDCS before performing the same 60 motor imagery tasks with NFB feedback.

4. Outcome Measures: Motor imagery vividness was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and ERD was evaluated through EEG recordings before and after the intervention.

Results - Findings of the Research

• ERD Improvement: The tDCS + NFB group showed significantly higher ERD during motor imagery tasks compared to the NFB group alone, indicating enhanced neural activity and motor imagery performance.

• Vividness of Motor Imagery: Both groups experienced an increase in motor imagery vividness after training, with the tDCS + NFB group showing a greater improvement.

• Effectiveness of Combined Treatment: The combination of tDCS and NFB was found to be more effective in improving motor imagery abilities compared to NFB alone, suggesting a synergistic effect of the two interventions.

Discussion and Conclusion of the Research

The study concludes that combining tDCS with NFB enhances motor imagery performance more effectively than NFB alone. The findings highlight the potential of this combined approach in neurorehabilitation, particularly in improving motor functions in patients with neurological conditions such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease. The results support further exploration of tDCS and NFB as complementary treatments in clinical settings, with a focus on optimizing protocols for maximum benefit.

Link to the Original Paper

Effects of neurofeedback training combined with transcranial direct current stimulation on motor imagery: A randomized controlled trial

Author Information

• Shun Sawai: Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kyoto Tachibana University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Rehabilitation, Kyoto Kuno Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.

• Shin Murata: Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kyoto Tachibana University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyoto Tachibana University, Kyoto, Japan.

• Shoya Fujikawa: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyoto Tachibana University, Kyoto, Japan.

• Ryosuke Yamamoto: Department of Rehabilitation, Tesseikai Neurosurgical Hospital, Shijonawate, Japan.

• Keisuke Shima: Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan.

• Hideki Nakano: Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kyoto Tachibana University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyoto Tachibana University, Kyoto, Japan.

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