Neurofeedback: Applications, advancements, and future directions

Abstract

Neurofeedback, a technique enabling individuals to regulate their brain activity in real time, has gained momentum as both a clinical intervention and a tool for cognitive and performance enhancement. This review synthesizes findings from 65 studies to evaluate the current state of neurofeedback research. We outline its historical development, methodological approaches, and technological innovations, including advances in connectivity-based and multimodal feedback paradigms. Applications across clinical disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and autism, as well as performance optimization, are critically examined, with emphasis on efficacy, limitations, and translational challenges. To enhance transparency, we summarize methodological trends and provide integrative insights that cut across individual studies. We further discuss persistent limitations, including methodological heterogeneity and placebo-related concerns, and highlight future directions such as personalization, multimodal integration, and interdisciplinary collaboration. By consolidating evidence across diverse domains, this review positions neurofeedback as a rapidly evolving field with significant therapeutic and translational potential.