The potential of infra-low frequency neurofeedback training in peak performance: The first double-blinded placebo-controlled longitudinal study in healthy adults.

This small trial found no clear advantage over sham for the measured performance, well-being or heart-rate-variability outcomes. It does not answer whether clinical populations might respond differently.

Schmidt C.
Journal of psychiatric research · Publication date: 2024-04-23
Added to site: 2026-09-09
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.035

Publication date from the authoritative indexed record; this historical addition is not newly published news.

Modalities

Neurofeedback, ILF

Clinical focus

Cognition, Attention, Stress

Population

Healthy psychology students, ages 18–35

Sample

42 participants

Intervention / method

Ten 30-minute ILF sessions over five weeks

Comparator

Sham ILF training under double-blind conditions

Clinician summary

After adjustment for baseline differences and multiple comparisons, no tested outcome significantly differed between groups. Assessments included two-month follow-up.

How to interpret the findings

Small sample could miss modest effects. Healthy-student results cannot settle efficacy for diagnosed conditions; favorable questionnaire correlations are not evidence of treatment benefit.

Equipment and disclosures

Equipment details were not verified from the reviewed abstract.

The indexed record lists Aalborg University support. Full competing-interest disclosures were not verified.

Related evidence

Compare findings from the same clinical area, including mixed results.

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• The effect of heart rate variability biofeedback training on stress and anxiety: a meta-analysis. · Positive with limitations
• Attention, Executive Function, Behavior, and Electrocortical Function, Significantly Improved With 19-Channel Z-Score Neurofeedback in a Clinical Setting: A Pilot Study. · Positive with limitations
• Slow Cortical Potential Versus Live Z-score Neurofeedback in Children and Adolescents with ADHD: A Multi-arm Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial with Active and Passive Comparators. · Mixed
• Infra-low frequency neurofeedback impact on post-concussive symptoms of headache, insomnia and attention disorder: Results of a randomized control trial. · Positive with limitations
• Regulation in acute stress experience through functional near-infrared spectroscopy neurofeedback of the prefrontal cortex. · Positive with limitations
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• Bilateral Angular Gyrus 810-nm Transcranial Near-Infrared Stimulation Reshapes Brain Network: Ameliorate Alzheimer's Disease Cognitive Deficits. · Positive with limitations
• Effects and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive outcomes in mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis · Positive with limitations
• Multimodal Neurorehabilitation Including Auditory EEG Neurofeedback: A Proof of Concept Tested After Resection of a Giant Olfactory Groove Meningioma · Positive with limitations
• Temporal-Targeted Accelerated 40 Hz tACS Enhances Cognitive Function and Network Integration in Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. · Positive with limitations
• The Effects of Alpha-Theta EEG Biofeedback Training on Anxiety and Stress: Novel Use of Hair Cortisol Concentration as a Biomarker · Positive with limitations