The covariation of independent and dependant variables in neurofeedback: A proposal framework to identify cognitive processes and brain activity variables

Highlights

• Neurofeedback protocols resemble the neurophenomenological point of view.

• Neurofeedback protocols allow to isolate unexpected cognitive processes.

• The elicitation interviews allow the participant to self-report these cognitive processes.

Abstract

This methodological article proposes a framework for analysing the relationship between cognitive processes and brain activity using variables measured by neurofeedback (NF) carried out by functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery (fMRI NF). Cognitive processes and brain activity variables can be analysed as either the dependant variable or the independent variable. Firstly, we propose two traditional approaches, defined in the article as the “neuropsychological” approach (NP) and the “psychophysiology” approach (PP), to extract dependent and independent variables in NF protocols. Secondly, we suggest that NF can be inspired by the style of inquiry used in neurophenomenology. fMRI NF allows participants to experiment with his or her own cognitive processes and their effects on brain region of interest (ROI) activations simultaneously. Thus, we suggest that fMRI NF could be improved by implementing “the elicitation interview method”, which allows the investigator to gather relevant verbatim from participants’ introspection on subjective experiences.

Introduction

The techniques of biofeedback allow a participant to train him or herself to self-regulate a physiological function which is usually neither visible nor consciously controlled (Coben & Evans, 2011). A physiological parameter related to the function in question is measured and processed by a technical interface, thus providing the participant with continuous, real-time information («feedback»). This information, usually in visual or auditory form, enables the participant to control the relevant biological activity («bio»-feedback). Changes made in the desired direction are rewarded and, as a consequence, positively reinforced. Those biofeedback techniques using a single measure of brain activity are referred to as neurofeedback (NF) (Coben and Evans, 2011, Frederick, 2012). In NF protocols, the participant observes his or her own brain activity and develops cognitive strategies to modify this activity in desired directions (Kotchoubey, Kubler, Strehl, Flor, & Birbaumer, 2002). Thus, NF is a technical way to integrate cognitive processes and brain activity (Micoulaud-Franchi, Fond, & Dumas, 2013). Although NF does tackle the critical question of dualism or monism in neuroscience, our aim was not to analyse this question from a philosophical or ontological point of view. Indeed, this question is still the subject of much discussion among neuroscientists and philosophers and, at present, remains moot. Therefore, we prefer to focus our analysis on the question of the covariation of cognitive processes and brain activity by dissecting the variables measured during NF processing. Thus, our approach is based strictly on a methodological point of view. Since the development of NF by means of functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery (fMRI NF), brain activity can be regulated with a much higher spatial resolution than was previously possible by NF by means of scalp-level electroencephalography (EEG NF) (Johnston et al., 2010, Ruiz et al., 2013). Thus the framework we propose here uses fMRI NF (Weiskopf et al., 2004).