Az orvos-, egészségtudományi- és gyógyszerészképzés tudományos műhelyeinek fejlesztése(EFOP-3.6.3-VEKOP-16-2017-00009)
Támogató: EFOP-VEKOP
(ÚNKP-23-3-II-SE-84)
Neurocognitive assessment tools have been proposed to optimize, maintain, and improve
perceptual-cognitive performance. Here, we investigated the feasibility and efficacy
of a novel neurofeedback system, neuroMoon (nM), on cognitive abilities compared with
one of the most popular perceptual-cognitive training (PCT) tools both in sports and
rehabilitation called NeuroTracker (NT). Thirty-one young athletes performed a comprehensive
battery of cognitive tests from the Vienna Test System before and after a 12-session
computer-based cognitive training program using nM (n = 11, age 22.6 ± 3.8 years),
nM sham (CON, n = 10, age 20.3 ± 1.2 years) or NT (n = 10, age 20.5 ± 1.7 years) device.
A series of repeated-measures ANOVA was performed to detect changes in cognitive abilities
in response to the training. Participants had faster median reaction time in both
the color-naming and word-reading conditions of the Stroop test (all p < 0.005), regardless
of group. Regarding the task switching test, statistical analysis indicated faster
working time and mean reaction time of the incongruent stimuli, repetition task, and
shifting task (all p < 0.005), nevertheless, these changes were also regardless of
group. In addition, we found fewer omitted (pre: 17.5 ± 8.3, post: 6.4 ± 1.5, d =
1.311) and more correct (pre: 261.6 ± 36.1, post: 278.6 ± 38.7, d = − 1.020) post-intervention
answers in the determination test, regardless of group. Finally, participants in each
group performed the digit span backward test with larger post (6.42 ± 1.54) vs. pre
(5.55 ± 1.43) scores following the PCT (d = − 0.801). Overall, PCT with nM as compared
with NT induced similar results in cognitive abilities suggesting its potential to
be used to achieve and maintain better mental performance. However, considering that
the sham stimulation also induced similar improvements in cognitive abilities, future
studies should clearly determine the cognitive measures that could benefit from NF
training.
