Closed-loop neurofeedback reshapes preparatory brain states to bias subsequent pain processing
- 1Shenzhen University
Abstract
Pain perception is shaped not only by nociceptive input but also by neural activity preceding stimulation. Whether these preparatory states can be modified through neurofeedback, and whether such effects depend on feedback authenticity, remains unclear. We used a double-blind, sham-controlled 2 x 2 mixed factorial design, crossing active regulation versus passive observation with real versus sham EEG feedback. Across feedback groups, active training was associated with changes in preparatory EEG activity and reductions in pain intensity and unpleasantness. Compared with sham feedback, authentic EEG-contingent feedback produced greater enhancement of power in the targeted somatosensory cortex, also evident in source estimates of the right postcentral gyrus, and selectively reduced transitions from microstate E to D. Authentic feedback was also associated with greater attenuation of laser-evoked N2 and P2 responses and a larger reduction in pain intensity, but not unpleasantness. Exploratory structural equation modeling identified indirect associations linking feedback authenticity, preparatory and microstate changes, P2 attenuation, and pain-rating changes. Together, these findings provide experimental evidence that preparatory neural activity can be modulated through authentic neurofeedback and that this modulation is accompanied by changes in subsequent nociceptive processing, supporting a state-based account of pain.
Related
- Multimodal Physiological Decoding Reveals Individualized Arousal Dynamics in Closed-Loop Neurofeedback
- Determining Reliable Neural Targets for enhancing Motor Sequence Learning: A preparatory study for focal tDCS
- Expectation-driven gain modulation of preparatory spatial attention
- Distinct motor preparatory signals correlate with coarse vs fine control of self-paced action timing
- Improving Brain-Behaviour Causality with Neurofeedback
BibTeX
@misc{zhang2026closedloop,
title = {{Closed-loop neurofeedback reshapes preparatory brain states to bias subsequent pain processing}},
author = {Y. Zhang and S. Qiu and Q. Zheng and S. Chen and J. Li and X. Li and R. Jin and W. Peng},
howpublished = {bioRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.64898/2026.06.02.729491},
url = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.06.02.729491v2},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Closed-loop neurofeedback reshapes preparatory brain states to bias subsequent pain processing
AU - Y. Zhang
AU - S. Qiu
AU - Q. Zheng
AU - S. Chen
AU - J. Li
AU - X. Li
AU - R. Jin
AU - W. Peng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/02
PB - bioRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.06.02.729491
UR - https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.06.02.729491v2
AB - Pain perception is shaped not only by nociceptive input but also by neural activity preceding stimulation. Whether these preparatory states can be modified through neurofeedback, and whether such effects depend on feedback authenticity, remains unclear. We used a double-blind, sham-controlled 2 x 2 mixed factorial design, crossing active regulation versus passive observation with real versus sham EEG feedback. Across feedback groups, active training was associated with changes in preparatory EEG activity and reductions in pain intensity and unpleasantness. Compared with sham feedback, authentic EEG-contingent feedback produced greater enhancement of power in the targeted somatosensory cortex, also evident in source estimates of the right postcentral gyrus, and selectively reduced transitions from microstate E to D. Authentic feedback was also associated with greater attenuation of laser-evoked N2 and P2 responses and a larger reduction in pain intensity, but not unpleasantness. Exploratory structural equation modeling identified indirect associations linking feedback authenticity, preparatory and microstate changes, P2 attenuation, and pain-rating changes. Together, these findings provide experimental evidence that preparatory neural activity can be modulated through authentic neurofeedback and that this modulation is accompanied by changes in subsequent nociceptive processing, supporting a state-based account of pain.
ER -