Brain Inconspicuous Effect by Local Sinusoidal Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Exposure Based on Wavelet Packet Analysis: Innovation in Online Passive Neurofeedback Therapy by the Neuro-LSELF System

Hard Boundary-Based Neurofeedback Training Procedure: A Modified Fixed Thresholding Method for More Accurate Guidance of Subjects Within Target Areas During Neurofeedback Training

In nearly all studies within the domain of neurofeedback, a threshold has been defined for each training feature in a way that subjects' status can be evaluated during training according to the given value. In this study, a hard boundary-based neurofeedback training (HBNFT) method based on the determination of decision boundary using support vector machine (SVM) classifier was proposed in which subjects' status were clarified considering a decision boundary and they could also be encouraged once entering a target area. In this method, a scoring index (SI) was similarly defined whose value was determined in accordance with subject performance during training. The results revealed that employing a classifier and determining a decision boundary instead of using a threshold could prove more successful in accurately guiding them towards a target area and also meet no needs to choose a basis for determining a threshold. Moreover, it was likely that the proposed method could be more efficient in controlling features and preventing extreme changes compared to those using variable thresholds.

Improvement of neurofeedback therapy for improved attention through facilitation of brain activity using local sinusoidal extremely low frequency magnetic field exposure

Traditional neurofeedback (NF) is a training approach aimed at altering brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) rhythms as feedback. In NF training, external factors such as the subjects' intelligence can have an effect. In contrast, a low-energy NF system (LENS) does not require conscious effort from the subject, which results in fewer attendance sessions. However, eliminating the subject role seems to eliminate an important part of the NF system. This study investigated the facilitating effect on the theta-to-beta ratio from NF training, using a local sinusoidal extremely low frequency magnetic field (LSELF-MF) versus traditional NF. Twenty-four healthy, intelligent subjects underwent 10 training sessions to enhance beta (15-18 Hz), and simultaneously inhibit theta (4-7 Hz) and high beta (22-30 Hz) activity, at the Cz point in a 3-boat-race video game. Each session consisted of 3 statuses, PRE, DURING, and POST. In the DURING status, the NF training procedure lasted 10 minutes. Subjects were led to believe that they would be exposed to a magnetic field during NF training; however, 16 of the subjects who were assigned to the experimental group were really exposed to 45 Hz-360 µT LSELF-MF at Cz. For the 8 other subjects, only the coil was located at the Cz point with no exposure. The duty cycle of exposure was 40% (2-second exposure and 3-second pause). The results show that the theta-to-beta ratio in the DURING status of each group differs significantly from the PRE and POST statuses. Between-group analysis shows that the theta-to-beta ratio in the DURING status of the experimental group is significantly (P < .001) lower than in the sham group. The result shows the effect of LSELF-MF on NF training.