Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37507648›Full record

ArticleBehavior research methods2024

From functional neuroimaging to neurostimulation: fNIRS devices as cognitive enhancers.

Jason Lee Waight, Natalia Arias, Ana M Jiménez-García, Matteo Martini

Open access · hybridAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Behavior research methods, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
3.9field-weighted citation impact, top 6% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 17 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Transabdominal photobiomodulation applications: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2025
    Pooled it
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  9. Use ofAging cell · 2023
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 3 institutions in 4 countries.

Jason Lee WaightSchool of Psychology, University of East London, E15 4LZ, London, UK.
Natalia AriasDepartment of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK. narias@nebrija.es.
Ana M Jiménez-GarcíaBRABE Group, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Nebrija, C/del Hostal, 28248, Madrid, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-6400-3436
Matteo MartiniSchool of Psychology, University of East London, E15 4LZ, London, UK. matteo.martini@unifg.it.
University of East London · GBKing's College London · GBUniversidad Nebrija · ES

Funding

Gobierno del Principado de Asturias FICYT AYUD/2021/51378Ministry of Economy and Business PSI2017-90806-REDTMinistry of Economy and Competitivity PID2020-117259RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities PSI2017- 83893-R
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) relies on near-infrared (NIR) light for changes in tissue oxygenation. For decades, this technique has been used in neuroscience to measure cortical activity. However, recent research suggests that NIR light directed to neural populations can modulate their activity through "photobiomodulation" (PBM). Yet, fNIRS is being used exclusively as a measurement tool. By adopting cognitive tests sensitive to prefrontal functioning, we show that a 'classical' fNIRS device, placed in correspondence of the prefrontal cortices of healthy participants, induces faster RTs and better accuracy in some of the indexes considered. A well-matched control group, wearing the same but inactive device, did not show any improvement. Hence, our findings indicate that the 'standard' use of fNIRS devices generates PBM impacting cognition. The neuromodulatory power intrinsic in that technique has been so far completely overlooked, and future studies will need to take this into account.

Indexed as

NeurosciencesNootropic AgentsCognitionFunctional NeuroimagingHumansSpectroscopy, Near-InfraredNootropic AgentsBrain stimulationCognitive stimulationExecutive functionsfNIRSNear-infrared lightPBM

Identifiers

PMID37507648
PMCPMC10990990
OpenAlexW4385341336

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.