Brain-computer interfaces based on attention and complex mental tasks

Abstract

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology is widely used in rehabilitation field. There are two main applications of BCI systems in assistive technology: regain the movements or communications for people with motor disability and neurofeedback for training the subject to emit a specific brain activity. In this study, we introduce two typical applications of BCI systems in our lab. For the first case, the BCI system based on mental tasks classification for people with motor disability is described. An effective features extraction and classification methods of EEG signals were proposed. For the second case, a neurofeedback (NFB) system was established, which utilized Virtual Reality (VR) to create appropriate feedback information which is more interesting, imaginative and interactive than traditional graphical presentations. Visual & auditory (IVA)-continuous performance test (CPT) results show that it can provide an effective therapy for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.