# Toward strengthening learning of neurocognitive skills via biofeedback for Veterans with brain injury

> **NIH VA I21** · VA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE SYS · 2022 · —

## Abstract

Brain injury can alter an individual’s life trajectory in profound ways. Quite frequently, difficulties are related to
deficits in directing multiple aspects of cognition and emotion to optimally serve a current goal, especially in the
setting of challenges. Many post-9/11 Veterans who have experienced a brain injury may benefit from learning
skills to better regulate their underlying cognitive-emotional state while working toward their personal goals.
However, learning how to apply state regulation skills (SRS) strategically and flexibly when they are most needed
in everyday life is challenging.
In order to address this issue, we previously designed and developed digital scenarios to assist with skill learning;
scenarios function as systematic learning opportunities to practice SRS in a wide range of cognitively challenging
contexts while also providing individualized data-driven feedback to guide the learning process. In this new
project, we seek to further strengthen learning of SRS by utilizing physiological data reflective of underlying
brain state as individualized biofeedback during training scenarios. Providing learners (Veterans) access to
aspects of their underlying brain state that are otherwise inaccessible (e.g., brain network activity) can empower
Veterans to learn skills for self-regulation. Taken together, intensive practice with applying SRS to multiple and
varied cognitive challenges accompanied by biofeedback has the potential to accelerate and strengthen effective
skill learning.
Post 9-11 Veterans with a history of TBI (age 21-60) will be recruited for participation in this project. Participants
will perform a series of computerized cognitive challenge tasks while having aspects of their central and
peripheral neurophysiology monitored. The preliminary objective of these investigations is to identify potentially
useful training targets for biofeedback by exploring biometric variables that index changes in brain state with
cognitive challenges as well as application of SRS. Based upon these results, pilot feedback models we will
designed, developed, and integrated into digital scenarios. Participants will contribute to the design and
implementation process by providing user-feedback on factors such as salience of feedback, ease-of-use, and
ability to utilize feedback to moderate the training target.
The knowledge gained from this project will help inform the development of a closed-loop system for skill
training following brain injury. In this system, multiple reinforcing layers of feedback (behavioral performance,
data on skill use, neurophysiology, and self-report) will converge to help Veterans learn how to best use these
skills to improve their everyday functioning. Such a system also will be a valuable tool to assist with local and
remote rehabilitation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10487730
- **Project number:** 1I21RX004113-01
- **Recipient organization:** VA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE SYS
- **Principal Investigator:** ANTHONY CHEN
- **Activity code:** I21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10487730

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10487730, Toward strengthening learning of neurocognitive skills via biofeedback for Veterans with brain injury (1I21RX004113-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10487730. Licensed CC0.

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