Neurofeedback for central neuropathic pain: understanding successful neuromodulation in able-bodied and spinal cord injury participants
Neurofeedback for central neuropathic pain: understanding successful neuromodulation in able-bodied and spinal cord injury participants
Central neuropathic pain (CNP) is a debilitating problem prevalent in 53% of the spinal cord injury (SCI) population. Electroencephalogram (EEG)-based neurofeedback (ENF) is a process where individuals self-modulate brain activity (neuromodulation) using mental strategies (MS) to control a computer display of real-time EEG feedback. Preliminary research suggests that ENF has potential to reduce CNP after SCI. This exploratory study examined individuals’ MS used for ENF neuromodulation.
Twelve SCI patients with CNP (4 female; mean age 50) and twenty-six able-bodied participants (13 female; mean age 30.69) engaged in ENF on eight and four visits respectively. Each visit comprised of six five-minute ENF sessions; no neuromodulation guidance was given. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at the end of each visit examining participants’ MS and perceived neuromodulation performance, which was compared to actual-performance using frequency-spectrum analysis of their EEG activity. Interviews were analysed using thematic framework analysis. MS of patient and able-bodied participants were compared.
Common MS were found, although none were consistent within and across participant groups. Trait of MS was associated with neuromodulation success. Unsuccessful participants reported they could not differentiate between successful and unsuccessful strategies; interview analysis revealed this was due to a non-optimal method of displaying EEG activity that overloads attentional resources.
The results indicate that MS are a mediator, where MS are used to invoke specific mental processes (trait of MS) needed for ENF neuromodulation. The computer display of EEG activity may benefit from modifications by simplifying the on-screen information to facilitate learning ENF neuromodulation.
Anil, Krithika
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Burridge, Jane
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Cotter, Imogen
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Demain, Sara
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Simpson, David
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Taylor, Julian
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Vuckovic, aleksandra
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Anil, Krithika
2b2690a5-37f4-4b3e-9b4c-df721d12a2f3
Burridge, Jane
0110e9ea-0884-4982-a003-cb6307f38f64
Cotter, Imogen
05794925-9f67-48e7-9c0f-77fbab2d5bfe
Demain, Sara
09b1124d-750a-4eb1-90c7-91f5f222fc31
Simpson, David
53674880-f381-4cc9-8505-6a97eeac3c2a
Taylor, Julian
9ace0284-045c-4629-a733-6226a2b040f6
Vuckovic, aleksandra
38b2dbed-989f-49ed-87ec-12eee9c08c47
Anil, Krithika, Burridge, Jane, Cotter, Imogen, Demain, Sara, Simpson, David, Taylor, Julian and Vuckovic, aleksandra
(2019)
Neurofeedback for central neuropathic pain: understanding successful neuromodulation in able-bodied and spinal cord injury participants.
In European Health Psychology Society 2019.
(In Press)
Record type:
Conference or Workshop Item
(Paper)
Abstract
Central neuropathic pain (CNP) is a debilitating problem prevalent in 53% of the spinal cord injury (SCI) population. Electroencephalogram (EEG)-based neurofeedback (ENF) is a process where individuals self-modulate brain activity (neuromodulation) using mental strategies (MS) to control a computer display of real-time EEG feedback. Preliminary research suggests that ENF has potential to reduce CNP after SCI. This exploratory study examined individuals’ MS used for ENF neuromodulation.
Twelve SCI patients with CNP (4 female; mean age 50) and twenty-six able-bodied participants (13 female; mean age 30.69) engaged in ENF on eight and four visits respectively. Each visit comprised of six five-minute ENF sessions; no neuromodulation guidance was given. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at the end of each visit examining participants’ MS and perceived neuromodulation performance, which was compared to actual-performance using frequency-spectrum analysis of their EEG activity. Interviews were analysed using thematic framework analysis. MS of patient and able-bodied participants were compared.
Common MS were found, although none were consistent within and across participant groups. Trait of MS was associated with neuromodulation success. Unsuccessful participants reported they could not differentiate between successful and unsuccessful strategies; interview analysis revealed this was due to a non-optimal method of displaying EEG activity that overloads attentional resources.
The results indicate that MS are a mediator, where MS are used to invoke specific mental processes (trait of MS) needed for ENF neuromodulation. The computer display of EEG activity may benefit from modifications by simplifying the on-screen information to facilitate learning ENF neuromodulation.
Text
Abstract
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 10 May 2019
Venue - Dates:
European Health Psychology Society Conference: Individuals and Professionals: Cooperation to Health, Croatian Psychological Association , Dubrovnik, Croatia, 2019-09-03 - 2019-09-07
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 434090
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/434090
PURE UUID: 61730187-8a82-4b17-bedf-d283f2a1d628
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Date deposited: 12 Sep 2019 16:30
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 02:56
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Contributors
Author:
Krithika Anil
Author:
Imogen Cotter
Author:
Julian Taylor
Author:
aleksandra Vuckovic
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