Promoting social connectedness through multi-person neurofeedback

Humans are inherently driven to build meaningful relationships, but attempts to socially connect with others are not always successful. This study investigates whether social connectedness can be improved by intentionally regulating inter-brain coupling, a neural correlate of successful social interactions. Using a multi-person neurofeedback system (i.e., a multi-brain computer interface), we showed dyads real-time visualizations of the extent to which their brainwaves (EEG signals) were “in sync”. Our results showed that, compared to a sham control group, dyads who received multi-brain neurofeedback exhibited an increase in inter-brain coupling, and, critically, that this increase was associated with a higher sense of social connectedness. A chain mediation analysis suggested that this experience of enhanced social connectedness may have been driven by a sense of joint control and shared intentionality. Together, our findings showcase the potential for regulating inter-brain coupling to optimize human social relationships and behaviors.