Design and Evaluation of a Children's Brain-Computer Application for Learning Self-Regulation

儿童学习自我调节脑机应用的设计与评估

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-04621
• 负责人: Antle, Alissa
• 金额: $ 2.54万
• 依托单位: Simon Fraser University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=615189
• 关键词: Design; Evaluation; Children; Brain; Computer

Recently, best clinical practices in attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety have involved mindfulness, yoga, and other body-based approaches in conjunction with cognitive approaches. Neurofeedback has been proposed as an effective aid to learning and practicing these techniques. Advances in neurobiology and computer science make possible these kinds of interventions designed to strengthen basic processes behind attention and anxiety regulation and control. In previous work, our team developed a preliminary series of electroencephalogram (EEG) neurofeedback training games on an interactive tablet for Nepalese children aged 6 to 10 years old. Although there is no clear and consistent empirical evidence demonstrating the efficacy of this type of new approach, this type of technology may be useful for work with children since it helps them visualize internal brain processes. In addition, computer games are familiar and motivate the type of repetitive practice necessary for learning self-regulation. This research program will focus on the design and implementation of a series of Android tablet neurofeedback applications that can be used with a consumer grade EEG headset, and a second application that can be used to calibrate children’s brainwave data as they use the system rather than with extensive pre-use training. The applications will be evaluated with different groups of young children with ADHD and anxiety in order to determine if they can effectively help them learn to self-regulate attention and anxiety. The proposed research will uncover new theoretical and design knowledge that illustrates how researchers should think about and develop brain-computer technologies to support children’s social-emotional development, generally, and ADHD and anxiety, specifically. This research will be valuable to companies and institutions within Canada and abroad, as it will provide them with guidelines to help them develop the next versions of such technologies and applications. It will provide institutions and individuals who work with children with a broader understanding of the impact and use of such technologies to support children’s development. This research can benefit millions of children, since ADHD and anxiety negatively affect children’s education and career outcomes, feelings of self-esteem and self-efficacy, social competence, and physical and mental well-being.

最近，针对注意力缺陷和多动症（ADHD）以及焦虑症的最佳临床实践涉及正念、瑜伽和其他基于身体的方法，这些方法与认知方法相结合。神经反馈被认为是学习和练习这些技术的有效辅助手段。神经生物学和计算机科学的进步使这些干预成为可能，这些干预旨在加强注意力和焦虑调节和控制背后的基本过程。在之前的工作中，我们的团队在交互式平板电脑上为6至10岁的尼泊尔儿童开发了一系列脑电图（EEG）神经反馈训练游戏。虽然没有明确和一致的经验证据证明这种新方法的有效性，但这种技术可能对儿童工作有用，因为它可以帮助他们可视化大脑内部过程。此外，电脑游戏是熟悉的，激发了学习自我调节所必需的重复练习。