EFFECTS OF NEUROFEEDBACK ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN OLDER ADULTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66104/52vj6z02Keywords:
Neurofeedback, eeg, Elderly, Cognition, Cognitive trainingAbstract
As the global population ages, the demand for interventions to combat cognitive decline is growing. Neurofeedback (NFB), a non-invasive brain training technique, has shown promise in enhancing cognitive functions among older adults. This systematic review aims to assess the effects of NFB in older adults’ cognition. This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the effects of NFB on cognitive performance in the elderly, using the PICO framework. Searches were conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles published between 2014 and 2024. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool and the ROBINS-I tool. Of the 452 studies identified, 12 met the inclusion criteria. 75% of the studies included healthy elderly participants, with 58% focusing exclusively on this group. 42% of the studies included participants with clinical conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, amnesia, stroke, or malignant tumors. Sensorimotor Rhythm (SMR) NFB training provided benefits in working and verbal memory in healthy elderly individuals, while post-stroke patients demonstrated significant improvement in the Mini Mental State Examination after NFB interventions. Protocols focused on Alpha waves favored improvements in episodic memory, attention and cognitive processing speed. However, in individuals with Alzheimer's disease, NFB stabilized cognitive decline, without promoting significant gains. The findings suggest that NFB has therapeutic potential in optimizing cognitive performance in older adults, especially in aspects such as memory and attention. However, heterogeneity among studies, including variations in NFB protocols and population characteristics, restricts the generalization of the results.
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