The abstract is read at the publisher; the summary is JClub's.
Authentic EEG-contingent closed-loop neurofeedback in a double-blind sham-controlled 2×2 design enhances targeted somatosensory cortex preparatory power and reduces pain intensity.
- Why it matters: Pain depends on brain activity before stimulation, but it was unclear whether neurofeedback can reshape these preparatory states and whether effects require authentic EEG-contingent feedback.
- What they did: Participants received active regulation or passive observation with real versus sham EEG feedback; training altered preparatory EEG, microstate transitions (E→D), and laser-evoked N2/P2 responses, with exploratory structural equation modeling linking these measures to pain ratings.
- The result: Compared with sham feedback, authentic feedback produced greater somatosensory power enhancement, selective microstate E→D transition reduction, greater N2/P2 attenuation, and a larger reduction in pain intensity (without a corresponding reduction in unpleasantness).
The findingWhy it mattersWhat they didThe result
AI summary of the abstract · may contain errors · not medical advice · read the paper.