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Motor imagery-based neurofeedback in older adults: neural signatures and feasibility in a randomized controlled trial targeting age-related cognitive decline
Diego Marcos-Martínez, Eduardo Santamaría-Vázquez, Sergio Pérez-Velasco, C. Rubén Ruiz-Gálvez, Ana Martín-Fernández, Beatriz Pascual-Roa, Rebeca Martínez-Velasco, Víctor Martínez-Cagigal et al.. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2026-02-25
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Although a substantial proportion of TG participants achieved high MI accuracy values, statistical analyses revealed no cognitive improvements specific to TG, suggesting limited efficacy of the MI-based protocol compared to classical cognitive stimulation. Spectral and network analyses identified distinct modulation patterns during MI in responders, absent in non-responders. Moreover, specific resting-state features—namely increased [Formula: see text] (13–20 Hz) band relative power and reduced α (8–13 Hz) band node strength—were associated with better self-regulation performance. The present study did not provide conclusive evidence supporting the effectiveness of MI-based NF training for cognitive enhancement in older adults. Nonetheless, the results offer valuable insights that may inform the refinement of future NF-based cognitive training protocols. Moreover, our findings suggest that baseline functional network organization may play a key role in determining the capacity for successful self-regulation. Identifying additional neurophysiological biomarkers will be essential to advance our understanding of the non-responsiveness phenomenon and to enable the development of more personalized NF interventions.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Marcos-Martínez, D., Santamaría-Vázquez, E., Pérez-Velasco, S., Ruiz-Gálvez, C. R., Martín-Fernández, A., Pascual-Roa, B., et al. (2026). Motor imagery-based neurofeedback in older adults: neural signatures and feasibility in a randomized controlled trial targeting age-related cognitive decline. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-026-01912-z
Vancouver
Marcos-Martínez D, Santamaría-Vázquez E, Pérez-Velasco S, Ruiz-Gálvez CR, Martín-Fernández A, Pascual-Roa B, et al. Motor imagery-based neurofeedback in older adults: neural signatures and feasibility in a randomized controlled trial targeting age-related cognitive decline. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 2026. doi:10.1186/s12984-026-01912-z. PMID: 41742172.
BibTeX
@article{marcosmartinez2026-41742172,
author = {Marcos-Martínez, Diego and Santamaría-Vázquez, Eduardo and Pérez-Velasco, Sergio and Ruiz-Gálvez, C. Rubén and Martín-Fernández, Ana and Pascual-Roa, Beatriz and Martínez-Velasco, Rebeca and Martínez-Cagigal, Víctor and others},
title = {{Motor imagery-based neurofeedback in older adults: neural signatures and feasibility in a randomized controlled trial targeting age-related cognitive decline}},
journal = {Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1186/s12984-026-01912-z},
pmid = {41742172},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-026-01912-z}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Although a substantial proportion of TG participants achieved high MI accuracy values, statistical analyses revealed no cognitive improvements specific to TG, suggesting limited efficacy of the MI-based protocol compared to classical cognitive stimulation.
- Spectral and network analyses identified distinct modulation patterns during MI in responders, absent in non-responders.
- Moreover, specific resting-state features—namely increased [Formula: see text] (13–20 Hz) band relative power and reduced α (8–13 Hz) band node strength—were associated with better self-regulation performance.
- The present study did not provide conclusive evidence supporting the effectiveness of MI-based NF training for cognitive enhancement in older adults.
- Nonetheless, the results offer valuable insights that may inform the refinement of future NF-based cognitive training protocols.
Why it matters
This randomized controlled trial found no cognitive improvements specific to motor imagery-based neurofeedback compared with classical cognitive stimulation. It provides no evidence that this training treats, cures or prevents Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 42/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation: journal h-index 161 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomized / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomized (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.5 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Roberto Hornero: h-index 62 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Universidad de Valladolid: institution h-index 328 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41742172) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 42 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1186/s12984-026-01912-z
- PubMed: 41742172
- Original source →
- Free full text: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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