Improving Visual Perception and Visuo-motor Learning With Neurofeedback of Brain Network Interaction.
NCT ID: NCT05732649
Last Updated: 2025-11-18
Study Results
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Basic Information
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COMPLETED
NA
65 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2023-05-01
2025-05-31
Brief Summary
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The aim of the present study is to validate neurofeedback as a new treatment approach for inducing high network communication at rest (i.e., when participants are not engaged in a task), and to test whether this heightened network communication can enhance visual perception and motor learning.
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Detailed Description
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In Experiment 2, the neurofeedback modality from Experiment 1 is adopted to test whether increasing network communication through neurofeedback can lead to improved visuo-motor learning. Visuo-motor learning will be measured with the mirror-drawing task because the investigators have evidence for feasibility from a previous study and because it represents a good model for re-learning as needed in clinics.
In both experiments, participants will undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This MRI will increase the precision of neurofeedback.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
FACTORIAL
In Experiment 2, to investigate whether enhanced brain connectivity at visual areas through real-time neurofeedback can boost visuo-motor learning, the investigators will compare Group A (active) to Group B (first control) and C (second control) in a between subjects design.
TREATMENT
SINGLE
In Experiment 2, participants will be randomized to one out of three parallel treatment arms (i.e., Group A, B, or C). Randomization, stratified for age and gender, will be generated with a computer random number generator.
In both Experiments, participants will be blinded to the intervention order and group allocation.
Study Groups
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Experiment 1
Participants will take part in three different sessions. In each session, network communication at visual areas will be coupled with the intensity of a sound, of a tactile stimulation, or both.
Auditory neurofeedback
Network interaction measured with EEG at visual areas will be coupled with the intensity of a sound.
Tactile neurofeedback
Network interaction measured with EEG at visual areas will be coupled with the intensity of tactile stimulation (i.e., electrical or vibrotactile stimulators applied on both hands and feet).
Auditory and tactile neurofeedback
Network interaction measured with EEG at visual areas will be coupled with the intensity of a sound and tactile stimulation.
Experiment 2 (Group A)
Participants undergo neurofeedback training of network communication between the target brain area (i.e., the left superior parietal area) and the rest of the brain during about 20 minutes (the precise duration will be defined with the experience of Experiment 1), using the sensory feedback modality defined in Experiment 1. Then, they perform the mirror-drawing task.
Neurofeedback
Participants train to decrease the intensity of a sensory stimulation (defined in Experiment 1) that is coupled with the network interaction at a specific brain region.
Experiment 2 (Group B)
Participants will use neurofeedback to train network communication of a control brain area in the other (right) hemisphere which is not directly linked to visuo-motor processing or learning, using otherwise the same duration and feedback setup. This control condition allows to obtain a similar feedback experience and hence a true blinding. Moreover, it enables an evaluation of the spatial specificity of the feedback training. After neurofeedback, they perform the mirror-drawing task.
Neurofeedback
Participants train to decrease the intensity of a sensory stimulation (defined in Experiment 1) that is coupled with the network interaction at a specific brain region.
Experiment 2 (Group C)
Participants will not receive neurofeedback, but directly train the mirror-drawing task.
No interventions assigned to this group
Interventions
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Auditory neurofeedback
Network interaction measured with EEG at visual areas will be coupled with the intensity of a sound.
Tactile neurofeedback
Network interaction measured with EEG at visual areas will be coupled with the intensity of tactile stimulation (i.e., electrical or vibrotactile stimulators applied on both hands and feet).
Auditory and tactile neurofeedback
Network interaction measured with EEG at visual areas will be coupled with the intensity of a sound and tactile stimulation.
Neurofeedback
Participants train to decrease the intensity of a sensory stimulation (defined in Experiment 1) that is coupled with the network interaction at a specific brain region.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Age at least 18 years old
* Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
* No neurological or psychiatric diseases
* No regular consumption of benzodiazepines or neuroleptics
Exclusion Criteria
* Drug or alcohol abuse
* Presence of non-MRI safe metal in the body
18 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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University of Bern
OTHER
Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Adrian Guggisberg, Prof. Dr.
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Division of Neurorehabilitation, Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Locations
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Division of Neurorehabilitation, Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Bern, , Switzerland
Countries
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References
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Paszkiel S, Dobrakowski P, Lysiak A. The Impact of Different Sounds on Stress Level in the Context of EEG, Cardiac Measures and Subjective Stress Level: A Pilot Study. Brain Sci. 2020 Oct 13;10(10):728. doi: 10.3390/brainsci10100728.
Freyer F, Reinacher M, Nolte G, Dinse HR, Ritter P. Repetitive tactile stimulation changes resting-state functional connectivity-implications for treatment of sensorimotor decline. Front Hum Neurosci. 2012 May 23;6:144. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00144. eCollection 2012.
Mottaz A, Solca M, Magnin C, Corbet T, Schnider A, Guggisberg AG. Neurofeedback training of alpha-band coherence enhances motor performance. Clin Neurophysiol. 2015 Sep;126(9):1754-60. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2014.11.023. Epub 2014 Dec 6.
Allaman L, Mottaz A, Guggisberg AG. Disrupted resting-state EEG alpha-band interactions as a novel marker for the severity of visual field deficits after brain lesion. Clin Neurophysiol. 2021 Sep;132(9):2101-2109. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.05.029. Epub 2021 Jun 28.
Manuel AL, Guggisberg AG, Theze R, Turri F, Schnider A. Resting-state connectivity predicts visuo-motor skill learning. Neuroimage. 2018 Aug 1;176:446-453. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.05.003. Epub 2018 May 4.
Allaman L, Mottaz A, Kleinschmidt A, Guggisberg AG. Spontaneous Network Coupling Enables Efficient Task Performance without Local Task-Induced Activations. J Neurosci. 2020 Dec 9;40(50):9663-9675. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1166-20.2020. Epub 2020 Nov 6.
Dubovik S, Pignat JM, Ptak R, Aboulafia T, Allet L, Gillabert N, Magnin C, Albert F, Momjian-Mayor I, Nahum L, Lascano AM, Michel CM, Schnider A, Guggisberg AG. The behavioral significance of coherent resting-state oscillations after stroke. Neuroimage. 2012 May 15;61(1):249-57. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.03.024. Epub 2012 Mar 13.
Guggisberg AG, Honma SM, Findlay AM, Dalal SS, Kirsch HE, Berger MS, Nagarajan SS. Mapping functional connectivity in patients with brain lesions. Ann Neurol. 2008 Feb;63(2):193-203. doi: 10.1002/ana.21224.
Guggisberg AG, Dalal SS, Zumer JM, Wong DD, Dubovik S, Michel CM, Schnider A. Localization of cortico-peripheral coherence with electroencephalography. Neuroimage. 2011 Aug 15;57(4):1348-57. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.05.076. Epub 2011 Jun 7.
Other Identifiers
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2022-00976
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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