Self-regulating arousal via pupil-based biofeedback

Nature Human Behaviour, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-023-01729-z · Published: October 30, 2023

Simple Explanation

The study investigates whether people can consciously control their arousal levels using pupil-based biofeedback. Pupil size is linked to brain arousal systems. Participants learned to control their pupil size with feedback, which, in turn, affected brain activity, heart rate, and performance on a task. This method could be helpful for managing stress and anxiety by giving people more control over their arousal state.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Healthy adults (various n per experiment)

Evidence Level

Level 2: Experimental study

Key Findings

1
Pupil-based biofeedback enables participants to gain volitional control of their pupil size.
2
Self-regulating pupil size modulates activity of the locus coeruleus and other brainstem structures involved in arousal control.
3
Pupil self-regulation modulates cardiovascular measures such as heart rate, and behavioural and psychophysiological responses during an oddball task.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates that individuals can learn to control their pupil size using biofeedback, which in turn influences brain activity in arousal-related areas. The research shows that self-regulation of pupil size affects activity in brainstem nuclei, cardiovascular parameters, and performance on an auditory task. The findings suggest that pupil-based biofeedback can be a tool to modulate arousal-regulating centers in the brain, potentially benefitting stress-related and anxiety disorders.

Practical Implications

Clinical Applications

Pupil-BF may be useful for treating stress-related and anxiety disorders by providing a volitional method to modulate arousal.

Behavioral Interventions

The method could be translated to various behavioral applications, enhancing control over cognitive function and stress responses.

Neuromodulation Research

Pupil-BF serves as an innovative tool to experimentally modulate arousal-regulating centers in the brainstem, including the LC.

Study Limitations

1
Potential inter-individual differences in perceptual luminance during feedback.
2
The lack of double-blinding in experiment 1A.
3
Imaging the human brainstem, particularly the LC, is challenging.

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