{
  "abstract": "Neurofeedback (NF) training is marked by substantial inter-individual variability in learning outcomes, and learning companions have been proposed to support motivation and engagement in such contexts. This pilot study examined whether a tangible, robot-like learning companion (Juno), could be integrated into a frontal-midline (FM) theta NF protocol targeting executive functions, and whether such a protocol was acceptable, usable, and associated with early signs of NF learning. Thirteen adults reporting executive-function difficulties in daily life completed three NF sessions with Juno, which delivered performance-contingent verbal and emotional feedback. Acceptability and user experience were assessed with self-report questionnaires, NF learning was characterised at both the inter- and intra-session levels, and executive functioning was measured before and after the protocol. Acceptability was favourable: perceived ease of use and visual aesthetics increased significantly, intention to use remained moderately positive, and overall satisfaction with Juno was high after experiencing a NF training with the robot-like learning companion. Personalisation and interaction frequency were identified as the main targets for improvement. Affect remained stable across sessions, indicating good tolerability. Participants showed reliable within-session upregulation of FM-theta from the third block onwards, replicated across sessions, whereas no reliable inter-session progression emerged, a pattern in line with existing FM-theta literature. No significant pre-post change was observed in self-reported executive functioning, consistent with the short three-session dose. Introducing this companion did not disrupt the emergence of FM-theta self-regulation. These findings support the feasibility of tangible NF companions and should be confirmed in a randomised controlled design including a companion-free condition.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Elise Grevet"
    },
    {
      "name": "David Daniël Hettema"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jaroslav Krc"
    },
    {
      "name": "Stefanie Enriquez-Geppert"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5njvsvnc30816.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.31234/osf.io/6wcfd_v2",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "5njvsvnc30816",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/6wcfd_v2/",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "bepress",
      "Attention"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Clinical Psychology"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Cognitive Neuroscience"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Cognitive Psychology"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Neurocognitive Disorders"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Neuroscience"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Social and Behavioral Sciences"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2805|EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7212247014",
  "pdf_url": "https://osf.io/6wcfd/download",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-08",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5njvsvnc30816.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:25:30Z",
      "native_id": "6wcfd",
      "source": "osf",
      "url": "https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/6wcfd_v2/"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "bepress:Cognitive Neuroscience",
      "subfield": "neuroscience"
    },
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "bepress:Clinical Psychology",
      "subfield": "psychiatry"
    }
  ],
  "title": "A robot-like learning companion for executive-function neurofeedback: acceptability, user experience, and evidence of within-session self-regulation in a pilot study",
  "title_text": "A robot-like learning companion for executive-function neurofeedback: acceptability, user experience, and evidence of within-session self-regulation in a pilot study",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:25:30Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5njvsvnc30816",
  "venue": "PsyArXiv",
  "versions": []
}