Modulating brain alpha rhythms to improve attentional control
Official title: EEG Alpha Rhythm Modulation Using Sham Neurofeedback During Attentional Control in a Virtual Reality Environment
Run by National Council of Scientific and Technical Research, Argentina · NCT06748976 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 35 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | National Council of Scientific and Technical Research, Argentina Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Oro Verde, Entre Ríos Province) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | November 2025 |
| Study ends | November 2025 |
| Registry record updated | September 25, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06748976 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.