Modulating brain alpha rhythms to improve attentional control
EEG Alpha Rhythm Modulation Using Sham Neurofeedback During Attentional Control in a Virtual Reality Environment
This research will try an open-loop sham neurofeedback setup in adults with rumination or chronic pain (including fibromyalgia) to see if positive or negative feedback in virtual reality changes EEG alpha rhythms linked to attention.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 35 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | National Council of Scientific and Technical Research, Argentina Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Oro Verde, Entre Ríos Province) |
| Trial ID | NCT06748976 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
In a within-subject design participants experience three conditions—positive sham neurofeedback, negative sham neurofeedback, and no-feedback control—while immersed in a virtual reality environment. EEG is recorded throughout to measure relative alpha power as a marker of attentional resource allocation. Researchers will compare alpha power across conditions to see if open-loop feedback produces decreases in alpha associated with increased attention. Adults aged 18–60 are screened for exclusions such as photosensitive epilepsy, migraines, significant hearing loss, current psychiatric illness, substance abuse, pregnancy, or intolerance to VR.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18–60 with rumination or chronic pain (including fibromyalgia), normal or corrected vision, ability to use a VR headset, and no photosensitive epilepsy, significant hearing loss, migraines, current psychiatric disorder, substance abuse, or pregnancy are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with current psychiatric disorders, photosensitive epilepsy, significant hearing loss, migraines, substance abuse history, pregnancy, or who cannot tolerate virtual reality would likely be excluded or may not receive benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a simple, low-cost way to nudge attention-related brain rhythms and potentially reduce rumination or improve coping with chronic pain.
How similar studies have performed: Closed-loop alpha neurofeedback has shown some success in altering attention-related EEG rhythms, but open-loop sham neurofeedback for this purpose is largely novel and untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged between 18 and 60 years. * Normal or corrected vision. * Ability to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with photosensitive epilepsy. * Significant hearing loss or diagnosed hearing impairment. * Current psychiatric illness or disorder. * History of migraines or chronic headaches. * History of substance or alcohol abuse. * Currently pregnant. * Discomfort with using a virtual reality headset, assessed during a pilot session.
Where this trial is running
Oro Verde, Entre Ríos Province
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos — Oro Verde, Entre Ríos Province, Argentina (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: José Alberto Biurrun Manresa, PhD
- Email: jose.biurrun@uner.edu.ar
- Phone: +543434975100120
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.