A case of long term biofeedback and self-control of frontal midline theta activity(Fmθ)

Abstract

Long term biofeedback training of Fmθ was tried in one subject. Trainings were done intermittently over ten months. The subject made srial arithmetic addition and the experimentalist informed the subject of appearance of Fmθ in his EEG's by a flicker signal. The subject was instructed to press a button when he felt Fmθ sensation. The hitting rates were instable in the first stage. After 41 days interruption, hitting rate returned to zero, but it augmented to about 60% after the trainings. The subject recognized Fmθ sensation at that period. Since the 2nd stage, the hitting rate was maintained at about 70% even after four months break. With intermittent trainings it reached to 86% at the end of the experiment. The high amplitude Fmθ was easier for the subject to guess correctly than low amplitude Fmθ. Self-control of Fmθ was successful after the 5th trial session even with constant work speed. For producing Fmθ, the subject made an effort to narrow his attention to the work and, on the contrary, for suppressing Fmθ, he distracted his attention from the work. In conclusion, the Fmθ was related to a certain sensation concerning concentration of attention, and the Fmθ appearance can be recognized and controled by the subject himself to considerable extent after a long term biofeedback trainings.