The efficacy of electroencephalography neurofeedback for enhancing episodic memory in healthy and clinical participants: A systematic qualitative review and meta-analysis

TY - JOUR

T1 - The efficacy of electroencephalography neurofeedback for enhancing episodic memory in healthy and clinical participants: A systematic qualitative review and meta-analysis

AU - Jackson, Lucy E.

AU - Han, Yi-Jhong

AU - Evans, Lisa H.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Several studies have examined whether electroencephalography neurofeedback (EEG-NF), a self-regulatory technique where an individual receives real-time feedback on a pattern of brain activity that is theoretically linked to a target behaviour, can enhance episodic memory. The aim of this research was to i) provide a qual­ itative overview of the literature, and ii) conduct a meta-analysis of appropriately controlled studies to determine whether EEG-NF can enhance episodic memory. The literature search returned 46 studies, with 21 studies (44 effect sizes) meeting the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The qualitative overview revealed that, across EEG-NF studies on both healthy and clinical populations, procedures and protocols vary considerably and many studies were insufficiently powered with inadequate design features. The meta-analysis, conducted on studies with an active control, revealed a small-size, significant positive effect of EEG-NF on episodic memory perfor­ mance (g = 0.31, p = 0.003), moderated by memory modality and EEG-NF self-regulation success. These results are discussed with a view towards optimising EEG-NF training and subsequent benefits to episodic memory.

AB - Several studies have examined whether electroencephalography neurofeedback (EEG-NF), a self-regulatory technique where an individual receives real-time feedback on a pattern of brain activity that is theoretically linked to a target behaviour, can enhance episodic memory. The aim of this research was to i) provide a qual­ itative overview of the literature, and ii) conduct a meta-analysis of appropriately controlled studies to determine whether EEG-NF can enhance episodic memory. The literature search returned 46 studies, with 21 studies (44 effect sizes) meeting the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The qualitative overview revealed that, across EEG-NF studies on both healthy and clinical populations, procedures and protocols vary considerably and many studies were insufficiently powered with inadequate design features. The meta-analysis, conducted on studies with an active control, revealed a small-size, significant positive effect of EEG-NF on episodic memory perfor­ mance (g = 0.31, p = 0.003), moderated by memory modality and EEG-NF self-regulation success. These results are discussed with a view towards optimising EEG-NF training and subsequent benefits to episodic memory.

U2 - 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105455

DO - 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105455

M3 - Article

SN - 01497634

VL - 155

JO - Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews

JF - Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews

ER -