Effects of alpha music neurofeedback training on attention in undergraduate students: A pilot study

Abstract

Neurofeedback training (NFT), particularly targeting alpha-band activity (8–12 Hz), has been explored as a non-invasive approach to enhance attentional regulation. However, the effectiveness of integrating alpha music into the NFT and the optimal number of training sessions remain unclear. This pilot study employed a quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design to examine the effects of alpha music–based NFT on attention performance among undergraduate students. A total of 10 participants were recruited and divided into two groups: five-session NFT (n = 5) and eight-session NFT (n = 5). Participants were healthy undergraduates with no neurological or psychiatric conditions, and those with prior NFT experience or concurrent cognitive interventions were excluded. Attention performance was measured before and after the intervention using a standardised attention task. The results showed improvements in attention performance within both groups following NFT. However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups, suggesting that increasing the number of sessions did not provide additional benefits. In conclusion, the alpha-music–based NFT may support improvements in attention among young adults, though these findings should be interpreted with caution, given the small sample size. Further research with larger samples and controlled designs is recommended.