Closed-Loop Infraslow Brain–Computer Interface can Modulate Cortical Activity and Connectivity in Individuals With Chronic Painful Knee Osteoarthritis: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
STS Instructor Authored by Mark Smith
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Study at a glance
- Area
- Pain & Headache
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial
- Authors
- Mathew J, Adhia DB, Smith ML, De Ridder D, Mani R
- Journal
- Clinical EEG and Neuroscience
- Year
- 2024
- Population
- Adults
- Protocol
- source-localised infraslow ratio neurofeedback (sLORETA ROIs)
Key findings
- Active training reduced infraslow activity at the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
- Region-of-interest analysis found group differences in infraslow, slow, beta and gamma activity across prefrontal, cingulate and somatosensory areas
- In the active group, delta-band connectivity between the pregenual cingulate and left somatosensory cortex was negatively correlated with pain bothersomeness
- Supports the idea that the protocol changes targeted brain activity, not just symptom reports
This secondary analysis of a small double-blind feasibility trial asked whether infraslow neurofeedback actually changes brain activity in people with chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis. Participants were randomised to sham feedback or to a source-localised ratio protocol that trained infraslow activity down at the somatosensory cortex and dorsal anterior cingulate and up at the pregenual anterior cingulate. Resting EEG recorded before and right after training showed changes in the active group in several frequency bands across pain-related regions, and some connectivity changes were linked to how bothersome participants found their pain.