Neurofeedback is a method of brain self-control via measurement of brainwaves and provision of a feedback signal. Previous literature has identified potential for neurofeedback as alternative treatment for neuropsychiatric conditions including stress and anxiety. The SPHERE tool aims to digitise neurofeedback for mobile devices. This study evaluated whether SPHERE was more effective in improving the common symptoms of stress and anxiety than the most popular alternative digital tool available.

39 participants were recruited opportunistically. Participants were randomly assigned to 3 groups to test either SPHERE, the widest-used digital tool or the widest-used digital tool with a pre-session artificial stressor applied. Participant heart rate was recorded pre- and post-session. 1-tailed Mann-Whitney U Tests or Welch’s tests were used to assess significance between cohorts with p<0.05 denoting significance throughout.

A significantly larger decrease in heart rate pre- and post-session was observed amongst the SPHERE cohort compared to both other cohorts: 11.6% decrease for SPHERE, 3.02% increase for the widest-used digital tool and 1.72% decrease for the widest-used digital tool with a pre-session artificial stressor applied (p<0.01).

SPHERE’s digitised neurofeedback tool was significantly more effective in improving symptoms of stress and anxiety compared to the widest-used alternative digital health tool ± pre-session artificial stressor applied, indicating the benefits of accessible neurofeedback therapy. More investment is necessary in comparing digital therapies to pharmaceutical treatments for stress and anxiety and for exploration of net changes in brain frequency pre- to post-session to enhance the effectiveness of this tool.