An Immersive Brain Painting: The Effects of Brain Painting in a Virtual Reality Environment

Abstract

Brain Painting is a brain-computer interface (BCI) application that allows users to paint on a virtual canvas without requiring physical movement. Brain Painting has shown to improve the Quality of Life of patients with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), by giving the patients ways of expressing themselves and affecting society through art exhibitions. Although there is currently no known cure for ALS, through such outlets, we can help mitigate the physical and psychological impairments. Therefore, this paper discusses a study where users paint with their brain with a BCI in an immersed Virtual environment, also known as Brain Painting. This study evaluates the cognitive workload, presence, and changes in affect through standardized questionnaires. Also, to explore the validity for users to express themselves creatively can lead to a more positive experience using the application in an immersed environment, in comparison to non-immersive.