Can targeted brain training support memory when remembering becomes harder?
What researchers tested
Lavy and colleagues compared upper-alpha neurofeedback with sham feedback in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Twenty-seven participants underwent training. The sham condition helped researchers examine changes beyond simply attending sessions.
What they found
Memory scores improved significantly within the neurofeedback group, with gains maintained at the 30-day follow-up. The sham group’s immediate memory improvement was not statistically significant. This is encouraging, but a significant result in one group and not the other does not, by itself, establish a significant difference between groups.
Why it matters
The controlled design makes this an important step beyond an uncontrolled pilot. However, the sample was small, follow-up was short, and measured alpha activity did not change significantly. Larger trials are needed to establish lasting benefits and everyday impact.
Lavy Y, Dwolatzky T, Kaplan Z, Guez J, Todder D. Mild Cognitive Impairment and Neurofeedback: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Aging Neurosci. 2021;13:657646. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2021.657646.
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