Assessment of neurofeedback training by means of motor imagery based-BCI for cognitive rehabilitation.

The age-related impairment is an increasing problem due to the aging suffered by the population, especially in developed countries. It is usual to use electroencephalogram (EEG)-based Brain Computer Interface (BCI) systems by means of the signal in order to assist and to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. However, a parallel research line addresses the problem by the use of BCI systems as a way to train cognitive areas to achieve a deceleration of cognitive impairment or even an improvement. In this regard, a neurofeedback training (NFT) tool using motor imagery-based BCI, was developed. Training consists on imagery motor exercises combined with memory and logical relation tasks. In order to assess the effectiveness of the application 40 subjects, older than 59 years old, took part in this study. Our NFT application was tested by 20 subjects and their scores of a neuropsychological test were compared with the remaining 20 subjects who did not perform the NFT. Results show a significant improvement of three cognitive features after performing the NFT: visual perception, expressive speech, and immediate memory. Therefore, evidences show that the performance of a NFT tool based on motor imagery tasks could be a positive activity for slow down the aging effects.

Diseño, desarrollo y evaluación de un sistema Brain Computer Interface (BCI) aplicado al control de dispositivos domóticos para mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas con grave discapacidad / Design, development and assessment of a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) system applied to control domotic and electronic devices in order to improve the quality of life of people with severe disabilities

Objetivo: El objetivo del presente trabajo consiste en diseñar, desarrollar y validar una aplicación de control domótico a partir de la señal de electroencefalograma (EEG) empleando un sistema Brain Computer Interface (BCI) basado en potenciales P300 para incrementar la autonomía de las personas dependientes en el hogar. Material y métodos: Se ha implementado una aplicación domótica a partir de un sistema BCI basado en potenciales evocados P300 empleando la señal EEG del usuario. El sistema se aplicó a nueve usuarios con grave discapacidad, procedentes del Centro de Referencia Estatal (CRE) de Discapacidad y Dependencia de León. Resultados: La mayoría de los usuarios fueron capaces de controlar la aplicación con una precisión superior al 65%. Tres de ellos, incluso, superaron el 85%. Estos resultados son notablemente mejores que los obtenidos mediante un sistema BCI basado en ritmos sensoriomotores. Conclusiones: Los sistemas basados en P300 no necesitan etapa de entrenamiento ni un alto nivel de atención sostenida. Por ello, la mayoría de los usuarios consiguieron un buen control de la aplicación propuesta que permite controlar dispositivos del hogar, aumentando así su independencia y calidad de vida (AU)

Objective: The aim of this study is to design, develop and assess an application for automatic control through the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal using a P300 evoked potentials-based Brain Computer Interface (BCI) system, in order to increase the autonomy of dependent people at home. Material and methods: An application for automatic control, by means the user’s EEG signal, through a P300- based BCI system was developed. The system was applied to nine subjects, users of the National Reference Center on Disability and Dependence from León (Spain). Results: Most of the subjects could control the application with an accuracy of 65% and upward. Three of them achieved even more than 85%. These results are significantly higher than the results achieved using a motor imagery-based BCI. Conclusions: P300-based systems require neither a training period nor an extremely high level of attention. Due to this reason, most of users were able to control suitably the developed application, which allows them to control devices at home, improving their independence and quality of life (AU)