Neurofeedback

In the last years, innovations in technology and methodology, as well as increased knowledge about cortical oscillations have significantly impacted the advancement of new neurofeedback approaches. As such, sham-controlled studies, showing evidence for enhanced performance of cognition after self-regulation of brain activity, have been published. Effects have been demonstrated regarding working memory (Hsueh et al. 2016), executive functions (Enriquez-Geppert et al. 2014), binding processes (Keizer et al. 2010 a,b), and memory (Guez et al. 2014), as well as real-life performance (Ros et al. 2009). In this chapter, we first present the rationale behind neurofeedback based on electroencephalography (EEG) and then list examples of recent studies demonstrating effects on cognition and everyday life performance. Subsequentially, the conceptualization of the self-regulation of brain activity, as well as neuroplastic effects evoked by neurofeedback follow. As a next step, issues regarding the specificity and efficacy of neurofeedback are discussed. Finally, we conclude with a summary and an outlook of EEG neurofeedback approaches.