From lab to life: challenges and perspectives of fNIRS for haemodynamic-based neurofeedback in real-world environments

Franziska Klein*, Simon H. Kohl, Michael Lührs, David M.A. Mehler, Bettina Sorger*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Neurofeedback allows individuals to monitor and self-regulate their brain activity, potentially improving human brain function. Beyond the traditional electrophysiological approach using primarily electroencephalography, brain haemodynamics measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and more recently, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) have been used (haemodynamic-based neurofeedback), particularly to improve the spatial specificity of neurofeedback. Over recent years, especially fNIRS has attracted great attention because it offers several advantages over fMRI such as increased user accessibility, cost-effectiveness and mobility-the latter being the most distinct feature of fNIRS. The next logical step would be to transfer haemodynamic-based neurofeedback protocols that have already been proven and validated by fMRI to mobile fNIRS. However, this undertaking is not always easy, especially since fNIRS novices may miss important fNIRS-specific methodological challenges. This review is aimed at researchers from different fields who seek to exploit the unique capabilities of fNIRS for neurofeedback. It carefully addresses fNIRS-specific challenges and offers suggestions for possible solutions. If the challenges raised are addressed and further developed, fNIRS could emerge as a useful neurofeedback technique with its own unique application potential-the targeted training of brain activity in real-world environments, thereby significantly expanding the scope and scalability of haemodynamic-based neurofeedback applications.This article is part of the theme issue 'Neurofeedback: new territories and neurocognitive mechanisms of endogenous neuromodulation'.
Original languageEnglish
Article number20230087
Number of pages19
JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Volume379
Issue number1915
Early online date21 Oct 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Dec 2024

Keywords

  • brain haemodynamics
  • fNIRS
  • neurofeedback
  • neurotherapy
  • optical imaging
  • real-time/online analysis

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