Effect of Selected Beta/Theta Neurofeedback Training on Static and Dynamic Balance in the Elderly in Ahvaz City (Iran)

Physical function, such as balance is disturbed with increasing age. Neurofeedback program has the ability to affect physical function through self-regulatory control of brain waves abnormalities. In this study, the effect of beta/theta neurofeedback training, was investigated on static and dynamic balance in the elderly in Ahvaz city.
The present study was a semi-experimental study and was practical in terms of purpose. Eighteen elderly individuals with the mean age of 65.3±3.1, were selected and equally divided into two groups of experimental and control. To evaluate static and dynamic balance of the participants, single leg stand test and time to get up and go, were used. The subjects of the experimental group participated in 12 sessions of neurofeedback trainings (including increase of beta power and decrease of theta power). The control group had the same conditions, but watched the recorded waves of trainings of the experimental group as training.
In this study, according to the t-test, neurofeedback training significantly improved static and dynamic balance performance as compared to the control group (p˂0.05).
The results of this study showed that neurofeedback trainings by enhancing or inhibiting brain wave activity in a specific area, lead to changes in individual performance and can be considered as an effective training methods to improve balance in the elderly.