In biofeedback research, the debate on physiological versus psychological learning has a long tradition and is still relevant today, regarding new developments of biofeedback for behavior modification. Analyzing the role of these learning mechanisms may help improving the protocols and answer the question, whether feedback of physiological functions is necessary to modify a target behavior. We explored the presence and impact of physiological (EEG changes) versus psychological learning (changes in somatic self-efficacy) in a recently developed EEG neurofeedback protocol for binge eating. The protocol targets a reduction of food-cue induced cortical arousal through regulation of EEG high beta activity. In an experimental study accompanying a randomized controlled trial, pre and post treatment EEG measurements were analyzed in a neurofeedback group (n = 18) and an active mental imagery control group without physiological feedback (n = 18). Physiological learning in terms of EEG high beta reduction only occurred in the neurofeedback group. Post treatment, participants with successfully reduced binge eating episodes (≥ 50% reduction) showed lower EEG high beta activity than unsuccessful participants (p = .02) after neurofeedback, but not after mental imagery. Further, lower EEG high beta activity at post-treatment predicted fewer binge eating episodes in neurofeedback only. In mental imagery, somatic self-efficacy predicted treatment success instead of EEG activity. Altogether, the results indicate that physiological changes serve as a specific treatment mechanism in neurofeedback against binge eating. Reducing cortical arousal may improve eating behaviors and corresponding neurofeedback techniques should therefore be considered in future treatments.

在生物反馈研究中，关于生理学习与心理学习的争论有着悠久的传统，并且在行为矫正的生物反馈的新发展方面今天仍然具有现实意义。分析这些学习机制的作用可能有助于改进协议并回答以下问题：生理功能的反馈对于修改目标行为是否是必要的。我们在最近开发的针对暴饮暴食的脑电图神经反馈方案中探讨了生理（脑电图变化）与心理学习（躯体自我效能的变化）的存在和影响。该协议的目标是通过调节脑电图高β活动来减少食物提示引起的皮质唤醒。在一项伴随随机对照试验的实验研究中，对神经反馈组（ n = 18）和无生理反馈的活跃心理意象对照组（ n = 18）治疗前和治疗后脑电图测量进行了分析。脑电图高β值降低方面的生理学习仅发生在神经反馈组中。治疗后，成功减少暴食事件（减少≥ 50%）的参与者在神经反馈后（但在心理意象后）与不成功的参与者相比，表现出较低的脑电图高β活动（ p = .02）。此外，治疗后较低的脑电图高β活动仅预测神经反馈中暴食事件的减少。在心理意象中，躯体自我效能而不是脑电图活动预测治疗成功。总而言之，结果表明，生理变化是针对暴饮暴食的神经反馈的一种特定治疗机制。 减少皮质唤醒可能会改善饮食行为，因此在未来的治疗中应考虑相应的神经反馈技术。