NASA's Off-the-Shelf Engagement Training

Transcription

1 NASA's Off-the-Shelf Engagement Training Licensed and Commercialized by CyberLearning Technology, LLC Presented at CyberTherapy 27 June 13 th, 27 Domenic Greco, Ph.D. Makes Exercising the Brain as fun as playing video games and as easy as watching a movie CyberLearning Technology, LLC, (trade name SmartBrain Technologies) develops and manufactures advanced Neurofeedback technology through an exclusive license conferred from NASA, (National, Aeronautics and Space Administration.) This immersive neurofeedback technology connects with off -the-shelf Video Games like Sony PlayStation and MicroSoft XBox along with DVD Movies and media files creating an engaging and enjoyable experience while improving attention, memory and the brain s capacity to learn. This state of the art technology is available to clinical providers, educators and direct to consumers.

2 Biofeedback, measures peripheral nervous system physiology such as; muscle tension, anxiety, blood pressure, etc. This information is then fed back visually and auditorally in an understandable way. Through this trial and error process, learning takes place to actually change the bodies physical response to improve health! Neurofeedback, a type of Biofeedback, has been used since the 197 s to assist with conditions such as Seizure Disorders and ADHD measuring brain waves (EEG or electroencephalographic ) from the central nervous system and feeds back this information to regulate and retrain brain wave activity. Neurofeedback Training naturally empowers the brain to effortlessly develop increased control and strength, much like the effects of weight lifting to build muscle strength or jogging to improve cardiovascular fitness. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Learning Disabilities Cognitive Processing Issues Anxiety Mild Closed Head Injury Depression Memory Issues Substance Abuse Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

3 Research and applications with neurofeedback has primarily focused on medical problems although research with ADHD in particular has shown major improvements with academic and learning problems. The 25 Journal Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America Journal, (AACAP), has reviewed the studies that support the use of Neurofeedback and the authors have used the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry criteria for evaluating evidence based practices to give their assessment of this emerging treatment. The author s rank this intervention as meeting the AACAP s criteria for Clinical Guidelines which are recommendations that are based on limited empirical evidence (such as open trials, case studies) and /or strong clinical consensus. In this same article, with respect to Attention Deficit Disorder, the most common psychiatric diagnosis in children, "Five controlled studies have been published, including one Randomized Controlled Trial, (RTC) uniformly showing significant benefit for 7% to 8% of participants, with an effect size for EEG Biofeedback equivalent to that of stimulants.* *Child And Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America Journal, 25; 1-19:14 Traditional Neurofeedback Traditional Neurofeedback provides visual and auditory feedback as a direct derivative of the processed EEG signal. Simple line or bar graphs showing increases/decreases of amplitudes across frequencies are common visual displays. These displays are inherently boring and require coaching and outside rewards to keep the trainee motivated.

4 Truly interactive, fun, self-motivating training. New training displays ~ (off-the-shelf video games) can be purchased for $5-$1. Spyro the Dragon Tony Hawk Issues of frustration, stress, and performance anxiety become more pronounced during game play. Training can focus on decreasing these issues as they emerge leading to real world gains. Gran Turismo Scientists at NASA LaRC researched and developed technologies using physiological measures for assessing sustained attention, engagement, awareness and pilot stress, in laboratory flight simulators. The research found overall improvement in pilots' attention and engagement to task. Emerging from this NASA research was the recognition that these flight simulators were very similar to a sophisticated video game. NASA conducted additional research using video game neurofeedback to help improve the attention of children. As a result, the SmartBrain Technologies invention was born. Very sophisticated technology embedded into the Neurofeedback system allows fun and engaging off-the-shelf video game play to help improve attention and learning. SmartBrain Technologies is a spin-off, turning years of NASA Biomedical and scientific research into an effective and fun experience for children and adults.

5 Frequency Mental States Description DELTA:.5-3 Sleep The Sleep State THETA: Inner reflection w/o much atten- The Tuned-Out 4-8 (cps) tion focused on the outside world; Waves tuned out; drowsy ALPHA: Resting in a meditative & creative The Daydreaming 8-12 (cps) state; daydreaming; inattentive Waves SMR: Calm, not fidgeting, not impulsive, The Calm Waves (cps) not thinking about bodily sensation; Often externally aware; quietly alert BETA: Focused analytical, often externally The Thinker Waves 16-2 (cps) oriented, intense thinking/processing S L O W F A S T Neurofeedback videogame Technology: First concept study for ADHD 2 Alan T. Pope, Ph.D. NASA Langley Research Center John D. Ball, Ph.D. Marsha J. Turner, M.A. Stephanie Nevin, M.S. Eastern Virginia Medical School

6 Biocybernetic Technologies NASA Biocybernetic technologies developed a closed-loop concept that involves adjusting or modulating a person s task environment based upon comparing physiological responses with a training or performance criterion. Modulation transforms the controller signals received at the computer's game port before it is used by the computer simulation or game software. The magnitude of the effect of the game or simulation's input device (e.g., joystick, game pad, steering wheel) is modulated by the strength of the physiological signal(s). This approach affords the opportunity to deliver physiological self-regulation training in an entertaining and motivating way and create a conditioned association between effective performance state and task execution. The Videogame Neurofeedback Loop: ADJUSTABLE MODULATION UNIT

7 Full Racing Speed Beta/(Theta + Alpha) Adjustable Offset for Shaping Accelerator (X) Button Pressed Accelerator (X) Button Pressed Speed Barely Moving SMR Adjustable Threshold for Shaping Vibration Signal Vibration Signal Loss of Steering 4 seconds

8 Both the videogame and standard neurofeedback groups improved significantly on most main ADHD outcome measures. No significant difference in treatment change was seen in group comparisons. Parents subjective appraisal of treatment effect on ADHD was more positive for the videogame group. The videogame treatment was rated significantly more enjoyable by both parents and children. Trends on pre-post QEEG change maps indicate that the videogame training may have advantages in creating more quantitative EEG effect in the therapeutic direction. Standard Neurofeedback Group: Videogame Neurofeedback Group: DELTA:.5-4. Hz (3.97%) THETA: Hz (5.76%) ALPHA: Hz (58.36%) DELTA:.5-4. Hz (-14%) THETA: Hz (-3%) ALPHA: Hz (15.2%) SMR: Hz (2.4%) BETA: Hz (29.51%) SMR: Hz (12.4%) BETA: Hz (117.17%)

9 SmartBrain Technologies Current Technology for: Education/Learning Attention Memory Peak Performance Entertainment Cognitive Affects of Aging Contact Information: Website: Phone: (76) Address: 663 S. Rancho Santa Fe Rd., #663 San Marcos, California 9278