Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback最新文献

{"title":"The \"Cognitive Armor\" Protocol: A Neurofeedback Intervention for Enhancing Performance Under Pressure in Elite Athletes.","authors":"Dr Arefayne Mesfen Is A Middle Name Dessye","doi":"10.1007/s10484-026-09794-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10484-026-09794-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The phenomenon of \"choking\" under pressure remains a significant challenge in elite sports, where traditional psychological skills training (PST) often yields limited efficacy and transferability due to its subjective nature. This study investigated the efficacy of \"Cognitive Armor,\" a novel neurofeedback protocol designed to enhance performance under pressure by training athletes to self-regulate neural activity associated with an optimal performance state. Forty-five elite athletes from precision-based sports were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a Neurofeedback Group (NG) receiving the Cognitive Armor protocol, an Active Control Group (ACG) receiving sham neurofeedback, and a traditional PST Group (PSTG). Over a 12-week intervention, participants underwent baseline and post-intervention assessments, including quantitative EEG (qEEG), sport-specific performance tests under normal and induced pressure conditions, and psychological questionnaires. A follow-up assessment was conducted after 3 months. Results indicated that the NG demonstrated a significantly greater ability to increase the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR)/high-beta ratio compared to both control groups (F(2, 42) = 21.34, p < .001, ηp² = 0.50). Crucially, the NG showed significantly smaller performance degradation under high-pressure conditions than the ACG and PSTG (F(2, 42) = 8.91, p < .01, ηp² = 0.30), and these gains were maintained at follow-up. These findings provide promising evidence that objective, EEG-based neurofeedback can be a superior intervention for building mental resilience and preventing performance decrements in elite athletes, offering an evidence-based tool for mental conditioning in competitive sports.</p>","PeriodicalId":47506,"journal":{"name":"Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148319901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Slow Deep Breathing Effects on the Human Consciousness-10-Second Breathing Rhythm Synchronizes Slow Cortical Potentials.","authors":"Maximilian Wrobel, Thilo Hinterberger","doi":"10.1007/s10484-026-09795-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-026-09795-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding the linkage between slow paced breathing (SPB), slow cortical potentials (SCP) and the human consciousness could help to improve practicing strategies in the field of mental well-being. Providing 25 individuals performing two different breathing cycles (6 s-cycle and 10 s-cycle), which were accompanied by the sound of a humming gong, while measuring a 64-channel EEG, our study provides an insight into the relationship between SPB and SCPs. More importantly, it points out the greater impact of the 10 s-cycle on SCPs than the 6 s-cycle. Breathing with a frequency of 0.1 Hz led to an increased SCP-amplitude ratio as well as to a synchronization of SCPs with the breathing rhythm. Also, non-SCP frequencies were considered. Here, the 10 s-cycle showed the increased appearance of delta (ES_t = 3.52), theta (ES_t = 4.11), and alpha 1 (ES_t = 3.47) frequencies, especially in the occipital and central parietal regions. Moreover, subjectively, the SPB intervention has been rated to evoke an increased feeling of \"integrity\" and \"balance\" as well as a slightly increased feeling of \"vitality\". Demonstrating the relation between SPB, SCPs, and subjective mental feeling, this study contributes to emphasizing the importance of SPB in mental health.</p>","PeriodicalId":47506,"journal":{"name":"Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148273306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aerobic Exercise Rejuvenates the Fatigued Brain: Evidence from EEG and Flicker Values.","authors":"Tomomi Nomura, Kazuki Fujita, Kaori Kawabata, Nobuhiro Takahashi, Yasutaka Kobayashi","doi":"10.1007/s10484-026-09793-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-026-09793-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to examine the restorative effects of aerobic exercise on mental fatigue using physiological indicators. Mental fatigue was induced in healthy adults using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test. Of these, 40 participants who exhibited confirmed fatigue based on flicker values were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (20 min of aerobic exercise) or a rest group (20 min of bed rest); n = 20 per group. Flicker values and electroencephalographic (EEG) parameters (mean power of theta, alpha, and beta waves) were measured before and after the intervention. Fatigue recovery was assessed through within-group comparisons of pre- and post-intervention values and between-group comparisons of change scores. In the exercise group, flicker values significantly increased post-intervention, and this change was significantly greater than that in the rest group. EEG analysis revealed a significant increase in theta power post-intervention in the exercise group. Additionally, alpha and beta power increased significantly, with changes greater than those in the rest group. Conversely, no significant changes in flicker values or EEG measures were observed in the rest group. Correlation analysis revealed that the degree of recovery in flicker values was significantly and positively correlated with increases in alpha and beta wave power. Aerobic exercise produced a significantly greater restorative effect on mental fatigue than bed rest, as evidenced by objective indicators such as flicker values and EEG measures. The findings suggest that aerobic exercise is a promising intervention for addressing mental fatigue in contemporary society.Trial registration UMIN000057499, Registered 3 April 2025 (retrospectively registered).</p>","PeriodicalId":47506,"journal":{"name":"Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148253810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Impact of Respiratory Biofeedback on Anxiety Levels in Men with Incomplete Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Soroush Hasnaki Pour, Zahra Mosallanezhad, Farhad Azadi, Mehdi Norouzi, Fatemeh Khashaman","doi":"10.1007/s10484-026-09792-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-026-09792-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>An investigation the effect of an Electromyography Respiratory Biofeedback (ERB) method on the anxiety level of male patients with incomplete cervuaical spinal cord injury (CSCI). 40 patients (men) were included in the study considering the inclusion criteria and randomly divided into two groups of 20 patients. The control group received 15 sessions of common respiratory physiotherapy (CRPT). In addition to 15 sessions of CRPT, the intervention group also received 15 sessions of ERB. Anxiety level was measured by the Zung questionnaire for both groups at three levels, before the beginning of the treatment, after the completion of the treatment and one month after the completion of the treatment sessions. The results were evaluated by SPSS software. The results of the repeated measure test showed that both CRPT and the addition of ERB can have statistically significant effects on the anxiety level of patients over time (p-value < 0.001). The emotional and physical subscales of the Zung questionnaire were also statistically significantly affected by the passage of time in both groups. The values related to the total score of the Zung questionnaire and its emotional and physical subscales, in the control group, increased again one month after the treatment sessions, while in the control group, these values continued to decrease. CRPT aimed at improving diaphragmatic breathing can reduce the anxiety level of patients with CSCI in the short term, and these positive effects may diminish over time. However, the addition of ERB appears to support the short-term maintenance of these therapeutic effects during the one-month follow-up.</p>","PeriodicalId":47506,"journal":{"name":"Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148212911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"When Challenge Turns into Threat at the Chessboard: Cardiovascular Reactivity and Flow Across Two Hours of Task Performance.","authors":"Dominik Stöckle, Daan Scheepers, Michael Barthelmäs, Johannes Keller","doi":"10.1007/s10484-026-09791-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-026-09791-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although flow experience has become a widely studied phenomenon in recent decades, research on its physiological manifestations is still limited. With the present study, we aimed to fill part of this research gap by approaching the flow concept from a biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat (BPS-CT) perspective. Impedance cardiography, electrocardiography and blood pressure of chess players (N = 32) were measured continuously while they completed a two-hour session of \"mate in two moves\" tasks on a computer under conditions of a balance of skills and task demands. Self-reported flow was assessed afterwards. On a descriptive level, results revealed the occurrence of (a) a modest cardiovascular challenge pattern during an initial phase of task engagement and (b) a cardiovascular threat pattern after one hour until the end of task performance, accompanied by cardiovascular indicators of motivational disengagement. On average, participants reported a high perceived balance of skills and demands and subjective flow experience, which was negatively associated with perceived strain but mostly unrelated to cardiovascular reactivity. The benefits, limitations and future potential of applying the BPS-CT framework to the study of the physiological implications of prolonged flow experiences are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":47506,"journal":{"name":"Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148007187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Empathic Ability Affects Emotional Experience and Physiological Response when Listening to Traditional Chinese Music.","authors":"Qiong Ge, Huiling Zhou, Meiqi Yu, Jie Lin, Shunan Han, Jiamei Lu","doi":"10.1007/s10484-026-09789-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-026-09789-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Individuals vary in musical emotional responses, possibly due to empathising ability. But how it impacts audio-listening emotions (basic or aesthetic) remains unclear, and few prior studies measured dimensional and discrete emotion models together. This study screened 40 subjects (22 females) into high- and low-empathy groups via the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. They listened to 14 Chinese Pipa music excerpts (7 positive, 7 negative) in a naturalistic setup. Emotional reactions were measured using three-dimensional (valence, energy, tension) and discrete (6 basic, 9 aesthetic emotions) models, along with recording autonomic nervous system changes. Behavioural results showed that the high empathy group had stronger emotional arousal and produced more basic and aesthetic emotions than the low empathy group. Physiological results showed higher activation of skin conductance in the high empathy group than in the low empathy group, stronger respiratory responses in the high empathy group than in the low empathy group when listening to positive music, a more significant degree of difference in the activation of skin temperature in the high than in the low empathy group in the two music genres, and greater sensitivity to the perception of emotional valence.</p>","PeriodicalId":47506,"journal":{"name":"Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147976632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Investigating the Effect of the 6-Week Mindful Self-Compassion Program for Emerging Adults (EYL) on Stress Response, Brain Activity, and Self-Compassion Among Chinese University Students: An Electroencephalogram (EEG) Quasi-experimental Study Using Portable EEG Headband.","authors":"Ming Yu Claudia Wong, Suvi Saarikallio, Andrew Danso, Friederike Koehler","doi":"10.1007/s10484-026-09790-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-026-09790-w","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47506,"journal":{"name":"Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147934629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effects of Neurofeedback Training on Sustained Attention, Inhibition of Return, and Performance Under Pressure in National-Team Shooters.","authors":"Maryam Kavyani, Maryam Talebi, Alireza Farsi, Fatemeh Keshvari","doi":"10.1007/s10484-026-09787-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-026-09787-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study tested whether a neurofeedback protocol targeting sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) enhancement, theta down-regulation, and alpha up-regulation improves sustained attention, spatial attentional dynamics (inhibition of return; IOR), and shooting performance under pressure in national-team shooters. This parallel-group randomized controlled pretest-posttest study enrolled 20 national-team shooters (NF, n = 10; control, n = 10) were randomly allocated to groups. The NF group completed 12 training sessions over 4 weeks, while both groups continued their regular training. Sustained attention was assessed with the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT), including commission errors, omission errors, and reaction time. Spatial attentional dynamics were indexed using an IOR cue-target task, with IOR calculated based on reaction time. Shooting performance under pressure was measured using SCATT optoelectronic scoring during a standardized high-pressure 60-shot task. Linear mixed-effects models tested Group × Time effects. Relative to controls, NF improved sustained attention: commission errors decreased (p =.018), omission errors decreased (p =.018), and CPT reaction time improved (p =.010). No significant between-group change was observed for IOR_time (p =.155). For pressured shooting performance, the Group × Time interaction for SCATT total score was not significant (p =.097), although trends favored NF. SMR/theta/alpha neurofeedback training may enhance components of sustained attention in national-team shooters, with limited short-term transfer to IOR dynamics or performance under pressure.</p>","PeriodicalId":47506,"journal":{"name":"Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Randomized Controlled Trial of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Explores Cardiac Autonomic Control as a Psychophysiological Mechanism Supporting Social Cognition.","authors":"Bo-Cheng Hsu, Yen-Hsuan Hsu, Chia-Ying Weng","doi":"10.1007/s10484-026-09788-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-026-09788-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cardiac autonomic regulation has been proposed as a critical psychophysiological linkage supporting cognitive and social cognition. While heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) has demonstrated robust effects on stress reduction, its potential role in supporting social cognition-particularly theory of mind (ToM)-and the underlying psychophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a six-session HRVB intervention with preset-paced breathing on social cognition and executive functions in young adults with high perceived stress, and explored whether HRVB-induced changes in cardiac autonomic activity may serve as a psychophysiological mechanism linking the intervention to improvements in social cognition beyond executive function changes. As a manipulation check, participants receiving HRVB (n = 32) showed significant reductions in heart rate, respiratory rate, and perceived stress, accompanied by increased cardiac parasympathetic activity and decreased cardiac sympathetic activity, compared with the control group (n = 32). Significant group × time interaction effects were observed for distinct ToM performances, as well as for executive functions. Importantly, exploratory parallel mediation analyses further revealed that HRVB-induced changes in cardiac autonomic activity mediated improvements in overall ToM performance, whereas changes in cardiac sympathetic activity uniquely mediated improvements in cognitive ToM, even after controlling for executive function changes. Together, these findings provide intervention-based evidence suggesting that HRVB-induced modulation of cardiac autonomic activity is associated with a psychophysiological mechanism preferentially supporting social-cognitive function-particularly ToM-beyond executive control. HRVB may therefore represent a promising psychophysiological intervention for enhancing social-cognitive function in stress-vulnerable and high-arousal populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":47506,"journal":{"name":"Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147822121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating the Effect of the 6-Week Mindful Self-Compassion Program for Emerging Adults (EYL) on Stress Response, Brain Activity, and Self-Compassion Among Chinese University Students: An Electroencephalogram (EEG) Quasi-experimental Study Using Portable EEG Headband.","authors":"Ming Yu Claudia Wong, Suvi Saarikallio, Andrew Danso, Friederike Koehler","doi":"10.1007/s10484-026-09783-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10484-026-09783-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) programs have demonstrated benefits for psychological well-being, yet their neurophysiological mechanisms remain underexplored, particularly in naturalistic settings using portable electroencephalography (EEG). This study examined the effects of a six-week MSC program, Embracing Your Life (EYL), on stress response, brain activity, and self-compassion among Chinese university students. A quasi-experimental design was used with 62 participants (31 in the experimental group and 31 in the control group; mean age = 26.6 years). The experimental group participated in six weekly 1.5-h EYL sessions, while the control group received no intervention. EEG data were collected using a portable headband (channels AF7, AF8) during baseline and post-intervention, involving three meditation tasks: resting state, mindfulness breathing, and a self-compassion break. Power spectral density (PSD) was calculated, and self-reported measures included self-compassion (SCS-SF), perceived stress (PSS), resilience (CD-RISC), mindfulness attention (MAAS), and well-being (SWEMWBS). Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the data, controlling for baseline differences. The experimental group showed significant improvements in self-compassion (MD =  + 0.28, p = 0.003), mental well-being (+ 1.75, p < 0.001), and perceived stress (- 3.48, p < 0.001), with a marginal increase in resilience (+ 2.88, p = 0.045). EEG analyses revealed condition-specific reductions in alpha and beta power during mindfulness and self-compassion tasks, with significant Group × Time interactions (e.g., alpha: Wald χ² = 14.55, p < 0.001; Wald χ² = 225.34, p < 0.001). Theta activity showed nuanced patterns, with suppression during mindfulness and partial recovery during self-compassion. While during the intervention, formal practice segments exhibited the lowest power values across all frequency bands, indicating deeper meditative engagement and enhanced neural efficiency. The EYL program improved psychological outcomes and induced distinct EEG changes. These findings support the feasibility of portable EEG devices for monitoring mindfulness-based interventions and suggest that self-compassion practices engage in unique neural mechanisms beyond traditional mindfulness meditation. Future research should employ larger samples and multi-channel EEG to validate these results.</p>","PeriodicalId":47506,"journal":{"name":"Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147785557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}