A new EEG neurofeedback training approach in sports: the effects function-specific instruction of Mu rhythm and visuomotor skill performance

Kuo-Pin Wang; Ming-Yang Cheng; Hatem Elbanna; Thomas Schack

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1273186

A new EEG neurofeedback training approach in sports: the effects function-specific instruction of Mu rhythm and visuomotor skill performance

Front Psychol. 2023 Dec 22:14:1273186. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1273186. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Kuo-Pin Wang^#^{1

2}, Ming-Yang Cheng^#³, Hatem Elbanna^{1

2

4}, Thomas Schack^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
² Neurocognition and Action - Biomechanics Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
³ School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.
⁴ Department of Sports Psychology, Faculty of Physical Education, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Introduction: Achieving optimal visuomotor performance in precision sports relies on maintaining an optimal psychological state during motor preparation. To uncover the optimal psychological state, extensive EEG studies have established a link between the Mu rhythm (8-13 Hz at Cz) and cognitive resource allocation during visuomotor tasks (i.e., golf or shooting). In addition, the new approach in EEG neurofeedback training (NFT), called the function-specific instruction (FSI) approach, for sports involves providing function-directed verbal instructions to assist individuals to control specific EEG parameters and align them with targeted brain activity features. While this approach was initially hypothesized to aid individuals in attaining a particular mental state during NFT, the impact of EEG-NFT involving Mu rhythm on visuomotor performance, especially when contrasting the traditional instruction (TI) approach with the FSI approach, underscores the necessity for additional exploration. Hence, the objective of this study is to investigate the impact of the FSI approach on modulating Mu rhythm through EEG-NFT in the context of visuomotor performance.

Methods: Thirty novice participants were recruited and divided into three groups: function-specific instruction (FSI, four females, six males; mean age = 27.00 ± 7.13), traditional instruction (TI, five females, five males; mean age = 27.00 ± 3.88), and sham control (SC, five females, five males; mean age = 27.80 ± 5.34). These groups engaged in a single-session EEG-NFT and performed golf putting tasks both before and after the EEG-NFT.

Results: The results showed that within the FSI group, single-session NFT with augmented Mu power led to a significant decrease in putting performance (p = 0.013). Furthermore, we noted a marginal significance indicating a slight increase in Mu power and a reduction in the subjective sensation of action control following EEG-NFT (p = 0.119). While there was a positive correlation between Mu power and mean radial error in golf putting performance (p = 0.043), it is important to interpret this relationship cautiously in the context of reduced accuracy in golf putting.

Discussion: The findings emphasize the necessity for extended investigation to attain a more profound comprehension of the nuanced significance of Mu power in visuomotor performance. The study highlights the potential effectiveness of the FSI approach in EEG-NFT and in enhancing visuomotor performance, but it also emphasizes the potential impact of skill level and attentional control, particularly in complex visuomotor tasks.

Keywords: Mu rhythm; alpha rhythm; complex visuomotor skills; golf putting; mental training; simple visuomotor skills.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was financially supported by the Bielefeld Young Researchers Fund of Bielefeld University and was supported the Open Access Publication Fund of Bielefeld University and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for the publication costs.