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

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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.