HSD Hochschule Döpfer University of Applied Sciences, Waidmarkt 3 & 9, 50676, Cologne, Germany.
Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany.
Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2020 Dec;45(4):293-305. doi: 10.1007/s10484-020-09486-9. Epub 2020 Sep 29.
In biofeedback research, the debate on physiological versus psychological learning has a long tradition and is still relevant today, regarding new developments of biofeedback for behavior modification. Analyzing the role of these learning mechanisms may help improving the protocols and answer the question, whether feedback of physiological functions is necessary to modify a target behavior. We explored the presence and impact of physiological (EEG changes) versus psychological learning (changes in somatic self-efficacy) in a recently developed EEG neurofeedback protocol for binge eating. The protocol targets a reduction of food-cue induced cortical arousal through regulation of EEG high beta activity. In an experimental study accompanying a randomized controlled trial, pre and post treatment EEG measurements were analyzed in a neurofeedback group (n = 18) and an active mental imagery control group without physiological feedback (n = 18). Physiological learning in terms of EEG high beta reduction only occurred in the neurofeedback group. Post treatment, participants with successfully reduced binge eating episodes (≥ 50% reduction) showed lower EEG high beta activity than unsuccessful participants (p = .02) after neurofeedback, but not after mental imagery. Further, lower EEG high beta activity at post-treatment predicted fewer binge eating episodes in neurofeedback only. In mental imagery, somatic self-efficacy predicted treatment success instead of EEG activity. Altogether, the results indicate that physiological changes serve as a specific treatment mechanism in neurofeedback against binge eating. Reducing cortical arousal may improve eating behaviors and corresponding neurofeedback techniques should therefore be considered in future treatments.
在生物反馈研究中，关于生理学习和心理学习的争论由来已久，对于行为修正的新生物反馈发展仍然具有现实意义。分析这些学习机制的作用可能有助于改进方案，并回答反馈生理功能是否对于修正目标行为是必要的问题。我们在最近开发的用于暴饮暴食的 EEG 神经反馈方案中探索了生理（EEG 变化）和心理学习（躯体自我效能感变化）的存在和影响。该方案通过调节 EEG 高β活动来针对减少食物线索引起的皮质唤醒。在一项伴随随机对照试验的实验研究中，对神经反馈组（n = 18）和没有生理反馈的主动心理意象对照组（n = 18）的治疗前后 EEG 测量值进行了分析。仅在神经反馈组中观察到了 EEG 高β减少的生理学习。治疗后，与不成功的参与者相比，成功减少了暴饮暴食发作（≥50%减少）的参与者在神经反馈后 EEG 高β活动较低（p =.02），而在心理意象后则没有。此外，仅在神经反馈中，治疗后 EEG 高β活动较低可预测较少的暴饮暴食发作。在心理意象中，躯体自我效能感预测了治疗的成功，而不是 EEG 活动。总的来说，这些结果表明，生理变化是针对暴饮暴食的神经反馈的特定治疗机制。降低皮质唤醒可能会改善进食行为，因此在未来的治疗中应考虑相应的神经反馈技术。
