For more than a decade, neurofeedback interventions have been applied with the goal of improving cognitive functions in older adults. Some of these studies have been reviewed, but only in combination with experiments conducted in young adults or with studies seeking to modify functions not related to cognition. The purpose of the present review is to assess whether neurofeedback interventions benefit cognition in elderly adults. We included all neurofeedback studies conducted in older adults, whether healthy or affected by a clinical condition, that attempted to ameliorate any domain of cognition, with no restrictions by publication date. Fourteen studies were eligible for this review. Neurofeedback improved memory in healthy and unhealthy participants mainly when the theta and sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) frequencies were trained. In addition, other cognitive domains benefited from this intervention. Conversely, neurofeedback had no effect on attention processes. Although different studies used markedly different methods, almost all of them reported positive effects of neurofeedback in at least one cognitive domain. New interventions under consideration should be tested using placebo-controlled, double-blind experimental designs with follow-up evaluations.

十多年来，神经反馈干预已被应用于改善老年人的认知功能。其中一些研究已经过审查，但仅与在年轻人中进行的实验或寻求修改与认知无关的功能的研究相结合。本综述的目的是评估神经反馈干预是否有益于老年人的认知。我们纳入了在老年人中进行的所有神经反馈研究，无论是健康的还是受临床状况影响的，都试图改善任何认知领域，不受出版日期限制。14 项研究符合本综述的条件。神经反馈改善了健康和不健康参与者的记忆力，主要是在训练 theta 和感觉运动节律 (SMR) 频率时。此外，其他认知领域受益于这种干预。相反，神经反馈对注意力过程没有影响。尽管不同的研究使用了明显不同的方法，但几乎所有研究都报告了神经反馈在至少一个认知领域的积极影响。考虑中的新干预措施应使用安慰剂对照、双盲实验设计和后续评估进行测试。