Culturally Diverse Perceptions of EEG and Neurofeedback Research and How to Address Them to Reduce Sampling Bias

Little is known about whether cultural norms affect participation in Electroencephalography (EEG) research in general and in the applied context of EEG-based neurofeedback for emotion regulation training. As EEG administration requires direct contact with the head, this might interfere with cultural norms regarding the appropriateness of touching the head, and thereby prohibit individuals from taking part in such studies. However, the exclusion of participants given their cultural background limits generalization. To better understand a variety of cultural views, we investigated the perception of and attitudes towards EEG and neurofeedback across a culturally diverse group from Aotearoa New Zealand (N = 181). Descriptive and content analyses of online survey responses across all participants showed that most participants were not sure what EEG was or were unsure about its function. Knowledge about the neurofeedback methods was also minimal. Participants had helpful suggestions for making the research environment more comfortable. However, using neurofeedback for emotion regulation training was seen critically. Even within this research-keen, largely NZ European group, knowledge of EEG and neurofeedback was patchy —a gap that probably dampens participation by other cultural groups. Providing clear information upfront, creating a welcoming study environment, and letting participants choose the technician's gender should broaden the inclusiveness of future neuroscience research.