A novel approach to alpha activity training using water based electrodes
Dekker,M. K.J. Sitskoorn,M. M. Denissen,A. Jager,M. Vernon,D. Mihajlovic,V. Van Boxtel,G. J.M.
Dekker,M. K.J.
Sitskoorn,M. M.
Denissen,A.
Jager,M.
Vernon,D.
Mihajlovic,V.
Van Boxtel,G. J.M.
Abstract
Fifty healthy participants took part in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in which they were either given auditory alpha brain activity (8-12 Hz) training (N=18), random beta training (N=12), or no training at all (N=20). A novel wireless electrode system was used for training without instructions, involving water-based electrodes mounted in an audio headset. Training was applied approximately at central positions C3 and C4. Post-training measurement using a conventional full-cap EEG system revealed an increase in alpha activity at posterior sites compared to pre-training levels. This significant increase was present only in the group that received alpha training, and remained evident at a 3 month follow-up session. In an exit interview, approximately twice as many participants in the alpha training group mentioned that the training was relaxing, compared to those in the control groups. Overall, results suggest that self-guided alpha activity training using this novel system is feasible and represents a step forward in the ease of instrumental conditioning of brain rhythms.
Description
Date
2012
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Volume Title
Publisher
SciTePress
Research Projects
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Keywords
Alpha activity, Instrumental conditioning, Neurofeedback, Random beta training, Relaxation, Water-based electrodes
Citation
Dekker, M K J, Sitskoorn, M M, Denissen, A, Jager, M, Vernon, D, Mihajlovic, V & Van Boxtel, G J M 2012, A novel approach to alpha activity training using water based electrodes. in E Conchon, C Correia, A Fred & H Gamboa (eds), Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Informatics : HEALTHINF 2012 . HEALTHINF 2012 - Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Informatics, SciTePress, pp. 481-486, HEALTHINF 2012 - Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Informatics, Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal, 1/02/12.