Self-modulation of the sense of agency via neurofeedback enhances sensory-guided behavioral control

Abstract

The sense of agency is a fundamental aspect of human self-consciousness, whose neural correlates encompass widespread brain networks. Research has explored the neuromodulatory properties of the sense of agency with noninvasive brain stimulation, which induces exogenous manipulations of brain activity; however, it is unknown whether endogenous modulation of the sense of agency is also achievable. We investigated whether the sense of agency can be self-regulated with electroencephalography-based neurofeedback. We conducted 2 experiments in which healthy humans performed a motor task while their motor control was artificially disrupted, and gave agency statements on their perceived control. We first identified the electrophysiological response to agency processing, and then applied neurofeedback in a parallel, sham-controlled design, where participants learnt to self-modulate their sense of agency. We found that behavioral measures of agency and performance on the task decreased with the increasing disruption of control. This was negatively correlated with power spectral density in the theta band, and positively correlated in the alpha and beta bands, at central and parietal electrodes. After neurofeedback training of central theta rhythms, participants improved their actual control over the task, and this was associated with a significant decrease in the frequency band trained via neurofeedback. Thus, self-regulation of theta rhythms can improve sensory-guided behavior.