Resources

The Science Behind myflow

Combining newest eye-tracking technology and neurofeedback for mental training.
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Science

What is pupil-based neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback training involves recording physiological signals like heart rate or brain activity and providing real-time feedback on these signals. This feedback allows us to learn how to consciously control these signals, which can lead to improved health and well-being.
Pupil-based neurofeedback, used in myflow, is a form of neurofeedback training that is based on the measurements of our eyes’ pupil and that uses changes in pupil size as a marker for the brain's arousal levels.
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Pupil-based neurofeedback

Research Partners &
Collaborators

Swiss Federal Institute of Sports
Hochschulmedizin Zürich - Flagship STRESS
Innosuisse Core Coaching
Bridge Discovery
ETH Zürich

How does pupil-based neurofeedback work?

Changes in pupil size are indicative of shifts in arousal controlled by several regions in the brain including the noradrenergic locus coeruleus. For instance, when we are in a highly aroused or alert state, the pupils dilate. Conversely, during states of relaxation or low arousal, the pupils constrict.
By monitoring these changes in pupil size in real-time, users of pupil-based neurofeedback can gain insights into their brain’s arousal levels and can even learn to modulate it through feedback mechanisms. Since the brain’s arousal level is crucial for core cognitive and behavioral functions and influences mental well-being, achieving an optimal arousal state can improve attention, performance, and emotional regulation. Thus, pupil-based neurofeedback provides a pathway to regulate the brain’s arousal level. This bears tremendous potential for the improvement of cognitive functioning and emotional well-being.

Science

How does our arousal impact our performance?

The relationship between arousal and performance has been recognized for a long time, dating back to the Yerkes-Dodson Law proposed in 1908. This principle suggests that there is an optimal level of arousal for peak performance: When we are exposed to acute stress and arousal levels are too high, we can feel overwhelmed.
This can make it hard to concentrate and perform tasks effectively because our minds are racing, and we might feel anxious. On the other hand, when arousal levels are too low, we may find it difficult to stay focused and may disengage from the current task leading to poor performance. However, when arousal levels are just right, we are focused and energized, which helps us to perform tasks efficiently and effectively. So, finding the optimal level of arousal is crucial for achieving peak performance.

myflow in sports

What about sports performance?

High arousal levels can enhance performance in certain situations, however, excessive arousal may lead to a decline in fine motor skills or decision-making abilities, negatively impacting performance. Conversely, low arousal levels can result in sluggishness and reduced reaction times.
By optimizing arousal levels, athletes can maximize their performance potential across various sports disciplines. It is worth noting that we perform ongoing studies with the Swiss Federal Institute of Sports in Magglingen that aim at further validating these effects, and we regularly update our website with the latest findings and insights from our research efforts.
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Papers

Recommended reading

Science

Self-regulating arousal via pupil-based biofeedback (the "myflow study")

We show that we can make the brain’s arousal system accessible to volitional control via a biofeedback approach that is based on measurements of the eye's pupil size. Our findings allow to enable new discoveries into how arousal interacts with brain function and behaviour and open new avenues to treating disorders that are characterised by abnormal arousal levels of the brain.

Meissner, et al., 2023
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Science

Everything you must know about the Locus Coeruleus

The locus coeruleus (LC), or 'blue spot', is a small nucleus located deep in the brainstem that provides the far-reaching noradrenergic neurotransmitter system of the brain. This phylogenetically conserved nucleus has proved relatively intractable to full characterization, despite more than 60 years of concerted efforts by investigators. Recently, an array of powerful new neuroscience tools have provided unprecedented access to this elusive nucleus, revealing new levels of organization and function.

Poe, et al., 2020
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Science

LC-pupil-arousal and Performance

The adaptive gain theory highlights the pivotal role of the locus coeruleus–noradrenergic (LC-NE) system in regulating task engagement. This study's results support recent proposals that pupil diameter and the P3 are sensitive to LC-NE mode.

Murphy, et al., 2011
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Blog

News

Science

myflow workshop at Scientifica 2021

Last weekend, the myflow team was able to attend the Scientifica 2021, which opened the opportunity to present the novel technique of myflow to the general population.
Published
September 7, 2021
Science

myflow @ ETH News

Marc Bächinger and Sarah Meissner were interviewed by ETH Zurich and presented myFlow in the run-up to the upcoming ETH Industry Day on 8 September 2021.
Published
August 27, 2021