Improving Selective Attention in Healthy Adults Through SMR Neurofeedback: Electrophysiological and Behavioral Evidence

Background/Objectives: Neurofeedback (NFB) modulates electroencephalographic activity and has been proposed to enhance cognitive performance. This study investigated the effects of repeated sensorimotor rhythm (SMR; 12–15 Hz) neurofeedback training on selective auditory attention in healthy adults aged 25–40 years, utilizing both electrophysiological and behavioral assessments. Methods: A prospective, controlled factorial design with repeated measures was employed, including a sham NFB intervention to control for placebo effects. Electrophysiological evaluation measured the amplitudes and latencies of event-related potentials (N100, N200, and P300) during an auditory Go/No-Go task. Speech-in-noise perception, which demands a higher level of selective auditory attention, was further assessed using the QuickSIN test. Results: Electrophysiological results revealed that SMR training statistically significantly reduced latencies of the N200 component at the Cz and Pz electrodes, and the P300 component at the Fz, Cz, and Pz electrodes, in a dose-dependent manner. No significant amplitude effects were observed for any ERP component. Behavioral results demonstrated a linear improvement in speech perception in noise (QuickSIN test) in the experimental group, a task that indirectly engages auditory selective attention mechanisms, as a function of training sessions, with significant group differences favoring the experimental group. These effects were maintained at the one-month follow-up. Conclusions: These findings indicate that SMR-based NFB modulates neural activity and improves selective attention, supporting its potential as an effective intervention for improving attentional performance and auditory processing in healthy populations, with effects persisting at least one month post-training.