Infra-low-frequency neurofeedback alters EEG network efficiency: exploratory evidence from healthy volunteers.

One session produced an exploratory EEG network signal during active training, offering a useful lead for future studies rather than evidence of symptom improvement.

de Matos NMP, Stämpfli P, Seifritz E, Brügger M.
NeuroImage · Publication date: 2026-07-30
Added to site: 2026-10-07
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2026.122155

First published online July 30, 2026; the October issue date is later. Added October 7, 2026 as a historical addition.

Modalities

Neurofeedback, EEG, ILF/ISF

Clinical focus

Functional connectivity, Neurofeedback mechanisms

Population

Healthy adult volunteers

Sample

39 analyzed EEG datasets

Intervention / method

One session of infra-low-frequency neurofeedback with continuous 31-channel EEG; connectivity estimated with debiased weighted phase-lag index and graph measures

Comparator

Verum versus sham feedback within a randomized crossover design

Clinician summary

Beta1 global efficiency was higher during verum than sham in the primary comparison. The effect did not survive correction across five bands, and no consistent differences appeared in other bands or betweenness centrality.

How to interpret the findings

Healthy-volunteer, single-session and exploratory study. The Condition by Block interaction was not significant, the principal signal did not survive Bonferroni correction across bands, and no clinical symptoms, durability or treatment benefit were tested.

Equipment and disclosures

Continuous 31-channel EEG; manufacturer was not verified from the checked abstract.

The indexed conflict statement reports no commercial or financial relationships. Funding details were not verified from the checked abstract.

Related evidence

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

• Intrinsic functional architecture predicts remote motor cortical excitability changes induced by intermittent theta-burst stimulation · Positive with limitations
• Frontal midline theta reduction during attentional reconfiguration links local cortical dynamics to network-level connectivity changes · Positive with limitations
• Brain state-contingent stimulation to probe task-dependent functional networks. · Positive with limitations
• Neuromodulation effects of HF-rTMS and rPMS on stroke patients: an fNIRS study. · 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
• Cerebellar Theta-Burst Stimulation Induces Distinct Functional Connectivity Patterns in Post-Stroke Aphasia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. · Mixed
• Machine learning-based source-level EEG functional network biomarkers of antidepressant treatment response in major depressive disorder. · Positive with limitations