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. 2012 Jul 10;28(4):456–467. doi: 10.1007/s12264-012-1254-2

Low-frequency fluctuation in continuous real-time feedback of finger force: a new paradigm for sustained attention

Zhang-Ye Dong 1, Dong-Qiang Liu 2, Jue Wang 2, Zhao Qing 1, Zhen-Xiang Zang 3, Chao-Gan Yan 1,4, Yu-Feng Zang 1,2,✉
PMCID: PMC5561895  PMID: 22833043

Abstract

Objective

Behavioral studies have suggested a low-frequency (0.05 Hz) fluctuation of sustained attention on the basis of the intra-individual variability of reaction-time. Conventional task designs for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies are not appropriate for frequency analysis. The present study aimed to propose a new paradigm, real-time finger force feedback (RT-FFF), to study the brain mechanisms of sustained attention and neurofeedback.

Methods

We compared the low-frequency fluctuations in both behavioral and fMRI data from 38 healthy adults (19 males; mean age, 22.3 years). Two fMRI sessions, in RT-FFF and sham finger force feedback (S-FFF) states, were acquired (TR 2 s, Siemens Trio 3-Tesla scanner, 8 min each, counter-balanced). Behavioral data of finger force were obtained simultaneously at a sampling rate of 250 Hz.

Results

Frequency analysis of the behavioral data showed lower amplitude in the lowfrequency band (0.004–0.104 Hz) but higher amplitude in the high-frequency band (27.02–125 Hz) in the RT-FFF than the S-FFF states. The mean finger force was not significantly different between the two states. fMRI data analysis showed higher fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) in the S-FFF than in the RT-FFF state in the visual cortex, but higher fALFF in RT-FFF than S-FFF in the middle frontal gyrus, the superior frontal gyrus, and the default mode network.

Conclusion

The behavioral results suggest that the proposed paradigm may provide a new approach to studies of sustained attention. The fMRI results suggest that a distributed network including visual, motor, attentional, and default mode networks may be involved in sustained attention and/or real-time feedback. This paradigm may be helpful for future studies on deficits of attention, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and mild traumatic brain injury.

Keywords: biofeedback, amplitude, of, low-frequency, fluctuation, sustained, attention, fMRI

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