Transient Adverse Side Effects During Neurofeedback Training: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Double Blind Study

Rogel, Ainat; Guez, Jonathan; Getter, Nir; Keha, Eldad; Cohen, Tzlil; Amor, Tali; Todder, Doron

doi:10.1007/s10484-015-9289-6

Cited by 29EEG and Brain-Computer InterfacesTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesNeuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations

Transient Adverse Side Effects During Neurofeedback Training: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Double Blind Study

Rogel, Ainat, Guez, Jonathan, Getter, Nir, Keha, Eldad, Cohen, Tzlil, Amor, Tali, Todder, Doron·2015·Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback

DOI 10.1007/s10484-015-9289-6

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

The benefits of clinical neurofeedback training are well known, however, its adverse side-effects are less studied. This research focuses on the transient adverse side effects of neurofeedback training via a double-blind, sham/controlled methodology. Thirty healthy undergraduate students volunteers were randomly divided into three treatment groups: increasing a modified Sensory Motor Rhythm, increasing Upper Alpha, and Sham/control group who receive a random reward. The training sessions were administered for a total of ten sessions. Questionnaires of transient adverse side effects were completed by all volunteers before each session. The results suggest that similar to most medical treatments, neurofeedback can cause transient adverse side effects. Moreover, most participants reported experiencing some side effects. The side effects can be divided into non-specific side effect, associated with the neurofeedback training in general and specific ones associated with the particular protocol. Sensory Motor Rhythm protocol seems to be the most sensitive to side effects.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s10484-015-9289-6

Cites

48 of 48 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

The DESS has been used for the assessment of treatment-related side-effects in ID populations and, recently, has been employed to monitor adverse-effects specifically associated with NFB therapy.
“The DESS has been used for the assessment of treatment-related side-effects in ID populations [310, 311] and, recently, has been employed to monitor adverse-effects specifically associated with NFB therapy [312].”
From Infraslow closed-loop brain training for anxiety and depression (ISAD): a protocol for a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot trial in adult females with internalizing disorders (2022) · cites this paper as [312]

Untitled work
(1970) · Cited by 24,983 · see citing works
Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory: Twenty-five years of evaluation
Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Carbin, M. G. (1988) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/0272-7358(88)90050-5 · Cited by 11,696 · see citing works
Statistical Methods for Research Workers
Fisher, R. A. (1945) · American Journal of Clinical Pathology · doi:10.1093/ajcp/15.11.552b · Cited by 10,883 · see citing works
Comparing Individual Means in the Analysis of Variance
Tukey, J. W. (1949) · Biometrics · doi:10.2307/3001913 · Cited by 4,302 · see citing works
Beck Depression Inventory
(2012) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/springerreference_179754 · Cited by 2,095 · see citing works
Failure to escape traumatic shock.
Seligman, M. E., & Maier, S. F. (1967) · Journal of Experimental Psychology · doi:10.1037/h0024514 · Cited by 1,981 · cited 1× · see citing works
“The reward, however, is random and there is no rule to learn, which could cause some behavior analogous to ‘‘learning helplessness’’ (Seligman and Maier 1967), which is a phenomenon that might be correlated to emotional distress, but at the unconscious level.”
Background
Teoria Statistica Delle Classi e Calcolo Delle Probabilità
(2010) · Sage eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781412961288.n455 · Cited by 1,702 · see citing works
Statistical Methods for Research Workers.
Hotelling, H., & Fisher, R. A. (1930) · Journal of the American Statistical Association · doi:10.2307/2278215 · Cited by 1,565 · see citing works
Statistical Methods for Research Workers.
Anscombe, F. J., & Fisher, R. A. (1955) · Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A (General) · doi:10.2307/2342720 · Cited by 840 · see citing works
Beck Depression Inventory
Beck, A. T., Ward, C. H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., & Erbauch, J. (1961) · PsycTESTS Dataset · doi:10.1037/t00741-000 · Cited by 816 · see citing works
Efficacy of Neurofeedback Treatment in ADHD: The Effects on Inattention, Impulsivity and Hyperactivity: A Meta-Analysis
Arns, M., de Ridder, S., Strehl, U., Breteler, M., & Coenen, A. (2009) · Clinical EEG and Neuroscience · doi:10.1177/155005940904000311 · Cited by 794 · cited 3× · see citing works
“2009), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Arns et al. 2009; Beauregard and Levesque 2006; Lubar 2003).”
Background
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation syndrome: a randomized clinical trial
Rosenbaum, J. F., Fava, M., Hoog, S. L., Ascroft, R. C., & Krebs, W. B. (1998) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(98)00126-7 · Cited by 574 · see citing works
Neurofeedback training of the upper alpha frequency band in EEG improves cognitive performance
Zoefel, B., Huster, R. J., & Herrmann, C. S. (2010) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.08.078 · Cited by 498 · see citing works
The effect of training distinct neurofeedback protocols on aspects of cognitive performance
Vernon, D. J., Egner, T., Cooper, N., Compton, T., Neilands, C., Sheri, A., & Gruzelier, J. H. (2003) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/s0167-8760(02)00091-0 · Cited by 474 · see citing works
EEG Biofeedback of low beta band components: frequency-specific effects on variables of attention and event-related brain potentials
Egner, T., & Gruzelier, J. H. (2003) · Clinical Neurophysiology · doi:10.1016/s1388-2457(03)00353-5 · Cited by 456 · see citing works
Increasing Individual Upper Alpha Power by Neurofeedback Improves Cognitive Performance in Human Subjects
Hanslmayr, S., Sauseng, P., Doppelmayr, M. M., Schabus, M., & Klimesch, W. (2005) · Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback · doi:10.1007/s10484-005-2169-8 · Cited by 421 · see citing works
EEG and behavioral changes in a hyperkinetic child concurrent with training of the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR)
Lubar, J. F., & Shouse, M. N. (1976) · Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback · doi:10.1007/bf01001170 · Cited by 376 · see citing works
Biofeedback : a practitioner's guide
Schwartz, M. S. (1987) · Cited by 359 · see citing works
What is Neurofeedback: An Update
Hammond, D. C. (2011) · Journal of Neurotherapy · doi:10.1080/10874208.2011.623090 · Cited by 339 · see citing works
Foundation and Practice of Neurofeedback for the Treatment of Epilepsy
Sterman, M. B., & Egner, T. (2006) · Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback · doi:10.1007/s10484-006-9002-x · Cited by 326 · see citing works
Learned self-regulation of EEG frequency components affects attention and event-related brain potentials in humans
Egner, T., & Gruzelier, J. H. (2001) · Neuroreport · doi:10.1097/00001756-200112210-00058 · Cited by 300 · see citing works
A review of brain oscillations in cognitive disorders and the role of neurotransmitters
Başar, E., & Güntekin, B. (2008) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2008.06.103 · Cited by 269 · see citing works
Neurofeedback and Basic Learning Theory: Implications for Research and Practice
Sherlin, L. H., Arns, M., Lubar, J., Heinrich, H., Kerson, C., Strehl, U., & Sterman, M. B. (2011) · Journal of Neurotherapy · doi:10.1080/10874208.2011.623089 · Cited by 248 · see citing works
Introduction to Quantitative EEG and Neurofeedback
Budzynski, T. H. (2009) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-374534-7.x0001-9 · Cited by 242 · see citing works
Meta-Analysis of EEG Biofeedback in Treating Epilepsy
Tan, G., Thornby, J. A., Hammond, D. C., Strehl, U., Canady, B. E., Arnemann, K., & Kaiser, D. A. (2009) · Clinical EEG and Neuroscience · doi:10.1177/155005940904000310 · Cited by 230 · see citing works
Transient state-dependent fluctuations in anxiety measured using STAI, POMS, PANAS or VAS: a comparative review
Rossi, V., & Pourtois, G. (2011) · Anxiety Stress & Coping · doi:10.1080/10615806.2011.582948 · Cited by 228 · see citing works
ADHD and EEG-neurofeedback: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled feasibility study
Lansbergen, M. M., van Dongen‐Boomsma, M., Buitelaar, J. K., & Slaats-Willemse, D. I. E. (2010) · Journal of Neural Transmission · doi:10.1007/s00702-010-0524-2 · Cited by 212 · see citing works
Estimation of the Medians for Dependent Variables
Dunn, O. J. (1959) · The Annals of Mathematical Statistics · doi:10.1214/aoms/1177706374 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Optimizing microsurgical skills with EEG neurofeedback
Ros, T., Moseley, M. J., Bloom, P., Benjamin, L., Parkinson, L. A., & Gruzelier, J. H. (2009) · BMC Neuroscience · doi:10.1186/1471-2202-10-87 · Cited by 182 · see citing works
Instrumental Conditioning of Human Sensorimotor Rhythm (12-15 Hz) and Its Impact on Sleep as Well as Declarative Learning
Hoedlmoser, K., Pecherstorfer, T., Gruber, G., Anderer, P., Doppelmayr, M. M., Klimesch, W., & Schabus, M. (2008) · SLEEP · doi:10.5665/sleep/31.10.1401 · Cited by 172 · see citing works
Validating the efficacy of neurofeedback for optimising performance
Gruzelier, J. H., Egner, T., & Vernon, D. J. (2006) · Progress in brain research · doi:10.1016/s0079-6123(06)59027-2 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Investigation of the Effects of Neurofeedback Training on the Neural Bases of Selective Attention and Response Inhibition in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Beauregard, M., & Lévesque, J. (2006) · Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback · doi:10.1007/s10484-006-9001-y · Cited by 153 · see citing works
EEG-based upper alpha neurofeedback training improves working memory performance
Escolano, C., Aguilar, M., & Mínguez, J. (2011) · doi:10.1109/iembs.2011.6090651 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Biofeedback: A practitioner's guide
Jahanshahi, M. (1989) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/0005-7967(89)90024-7 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
The theory of the whole-brain-work
Başar, E. (2006) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2005.12.007 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Phase-Locking and Amplitude Modulations of EEG Alpha:
Herrmann, C. S., Senkowski, D., & Röttger, S. (2004) · Experimental Psychology (formerly Zeitschrift für Experimentelle Psychologie) · doi:10.1027/1618-3169.51.4.311 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
EEG Operant Conditioning in Intractable Epileptics
Lubar, J. F., Shabsin, H. S., Natelson, S. E., Holder, G. S., Whitsett, S., Pamplin, W. E., & Krulikowski, D. I. (1981) · Archives of Neurology · doi:10.1001/archneur.1981.00510110060009 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Alpha Neurofeedback Training for Performance Enhancement: Reviewing the Methodology
Vernon, D. J., Dempster, T., Bazanova, O. M., RUTTERFORD, N. A., Pasqualini, M. S., & Andersen, S. B. (2009) · Journal of Neurotherapy · doi:10.1080/10874200903334397 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
First, Do No Harm: Adverse Effects and the Need for Practice Standards in Neurofeedback
Hammond, D. C., & Kirk, L. (2008) · Journal of Neurotherapy · doi:10.1080/10874200802219947 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Neurofeedback for the Enhancement of Athletic Performance and Physical Balance
Hammond, D. C. (2007) · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Ambulatory estimation of human circadian phase using models of varying complexity based on non-invasive signal modalities
Gil, E. A., Aubert, X. L., & Beersma, D. G. M. (2014) · Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) · doi:10.1109/embc.2014.6944074 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Influence of electroencephalography neurofeedback training on episodic memory: A randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind study
Guez, J., Rogel, A., Getter, N., Keha, E., Cohen, T., Amor, T., Gordon, S. C., Meiran, N., & Todder, D. (2014) · Memory · doi:10.1080/09658211.2014.921713 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Self-citation
A double-blind investigation of the relationship between seizure activity and the sleep EEG following EEG biofeedback training
Whitsett, S. F., Lubar, J. F., Holder, G. S., Pamplin, W. E., & Shabsin, H. S. (1982) · Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback · doi:10.1007/bf00998783 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
ADVERSE REACTIONS AND POTENTIAL IATROGENIC EFFECTS IN NEUROFEEDBACK TRAINING
Hammond, D. C., Stockdale, S., Hoffman, D., et al. (2001) · Journal of Neurotherapy · doi:10.1300/j184v04n04_09 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Real-time filtering for the estimation of steady-state visual evoked brain potentials
Collura, T. F. (1990) · IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering · doi:10.1109/10.55670 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Neurofeedback Overtraining and the Vulnerable Patient
Matthews, T. V. (2008) · Journal of Neurotherapy · doi:10.1080/10874200802126290 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Case Report: Impaired Memory and Disorientation Induced by Delta Band Down-Training Over the Temporal Brain Regions by Neurofeedback Treatment
Todder, D., Levine, J., Dwolatzky, T., & Kaplan, Z. (2010) · Journal of Neurotherapy · doi:10.1080/10874201003766785 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Self-citation
Comment on “Neurofeedback Overtraining and the Vulnerable Patient”
Ochs, L. (2008) · Journal of Neurotherapy · doi:10.1080/10874200802126357 · Cited by 6 · see citing works

Flagged first, then by citations

Sorted by citations

Infraslow closed-loop brain training for anxiety and depression (ISAD): a protocol for a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot trial in adult females with internalizing disorders
Perez, T. M., Glue, P., Adhia, D. B., Navid, M. S., Zeng, J., Dillingham, P., Smith, M., Niazi, I. K., Young, C. K., & De Ridder, D. (2022) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-022-06863-z · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“The DESS has been used for the assessment of treatment-related sideeffects in ID populations [310, 311] and, recently, has been employed to monitor adverse-effects specifically associated with NFB therapy [312].”
Method

Neurotherapy and Neurofeedback: Brain-Based Treatment for Psychological and Behavioral Problems
Chapin, T. J., & Russell‐Chapin, L. A. (2013) · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Increasing Concentration with Neurofeedback
Kawatake, S., Torii, I., & Ishii, N. (2016) · doi:10.1109/acit-csii-bcd.2016.055 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Effect of Enhanced Neurofeedback Stimulus Content on Frontal Alpha Asymmetry
Ali, S. S. A., Hafeez, Y., Ariffin, T. A. B. T., et al. (2022) · IEEE International Symposium in Robotics and Manufacturing Automation (ROMA) · doi:10.1109/roma55875.2022.9915701 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Neurofeedback and the Eating Disordered Brain
McGinnis, A. (2018) · Springer Publishing Company eBooks · doi:10.1891/9780826172655.0011
Determinants of Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Performance and Improvement – a Machine Learning Mega-AnalysisPreprint
Haugg, A., Renz, F. M., Nicholson, A. A., Lor, C. S., Götzendorfer, S. J., Sladky, R., Skouras, S., McDonald, A., Craddock, R. C., Hellrung, L., et al. (2020) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2020.10.21.349118 · Cited by 5 · see citing works

Authors: Rogel, A., Guez, J., Getter, N., Keha, E., Cohen, T., Amor, T., & Todder, D.
Affiliations: Israel Ministry of Health (IL)
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (IL)
Achva Academic College (IL)
Corresponding author: Rogel, Ainat
ORCID: Rogel, Ainat
Guez, Jonathan
Getter, Nir
Keha, Eldad
Todder, Doron
Venue: Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2015-05-26
Volume: 40
Issue: 3
Pages: 209-218
ISSN: 0363-3586 (ISSN-L)
1090-0586
1573-3270
DOI: 10.1007/s10484-015-9289-6
OpenAlex: W590461965
Cited by: 29
References: 48
Citations by year: 2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2
FWCI: 0.80
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations
Keywords: neurofeedback, adverse effects, sensory motor rhythm, healthy volunteers
MeSH terms: Adult, Clinical Protocols, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Male, Placebos, Young Adult, Brain Waves, Neurofeedback, Healthy Volunteers

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Transient Adverse Side Effects During Neurofeedback Training: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Double Blind Study

Abstract

Integrity signals

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Cites

Cited by

Related

Record

About these checks