Exploring the impact of electroencephalography-based neurofeedback (EEG NFB) on motor deficits in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, with pharmacological treatments predominantly focusing on dopaminergic therapies. In the early stages of PD, symptoms may also be alleviated through non-pharmacological interventions. One such non-invasive technique is electroencephalogram neurofeedback (EEG NFB), which has shown promising results in improving the cognitive and motor functions of PD patients. The aim of our study was to assess the existing evidence, identify key trends and determine potential opportunities for future research in the field of EEG NFB for PD. This analysis explores the impact of EEG NFB on motor deficits in PD and identifies key factors for the successful implementation of EEG NFB as evidenced in the literature. The synthesis includes findings from five relevant studies, including one case study, one pilot study and three randomized controlled trials. Study selection followed the PICO framework to ensure relevance and rigor. The results suggest a correlation between sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) and beta rhythms, with increases in SMR (13–15 Hz) and beta (12–15 Hz) rhythms linked to improvements in balance, mobility and stability in PD patients. However, limitations such as small sample sizes, brief intervention durations and lack of follow-up warrant a cautious interpretation. Future research should prioritize robust protocols, larger samples and extended neurofeedback training to fully assess EEG NFB’s potential for PD management.