Physiological Self-Regulation Training Using Two New Technologies: Commercial Off-the-Shelf Brain-Computer Interface Devices and LaRC MindShift Invention Technology

Physiological self-regulation training is used to improve psychophysiological responses associated with affective states (e.g., emotional stress, nervousness), and cognitive states (e.g., cognitive overload/underload). In addition to traditional biofeedback technologies, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) brain-computer interface (BCI) devices have been introduced that deliver biofeedback training. However, limited research has been conducted to understand the commonalities and differences among these forms of training. The purpose of the present study was to examine the subjective workload experience and cognitive performance effects of training users to regulate physiological states with two types of technologies: COTS BCI devices and NASA LangleTM's MindShift invention technology. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four technologies (COTS BCI: Mind Flex, Star Wars Force Trainer; LaRC MindShift: Nintendo Wii Sports Golf Game, Link's Crossbow Training Game) and trained to regulate their physiological states using the technology weekly, for up to 4 weeks. Subjects completed computerized cognitive tasks, the Multi-Attribute Task Battery-II, and the Workload Rating Scale before and after physiological self-regulation training to track their cognitive performance and self-reported workload over time. Multi-session physiological self-regulation training using the COTS BCI and LaRC MindShift technologies was hypothesized to decrease self-reported workload over time and improve cognitive performance over time. 11 volunteers (6 men and 5 women) at NASA Langley Research Center participated in the study. Data collection for the study is ongoing, but preliminary analyses were conducted for the LaRC MindShift Nintendo's Wii Link's Crossbow Training Game. Case studies for the LaRC MindShift Nintendo's Wii Sports Golf Game and COTS BCI devices are also presented. The current results suggest that average self-reported workload decreased and multi-task cognitive performance increased after physiological self-regulation training, but this should be interpreted as a potential trend in the data and not taken as conclusive regarding the effectiveness of these technologies. The results of this study will be used to develop follow-up experiments assessing transfer of learning physiological self-regulation using these technologies to on-the-job performance. Keywords * Self-regulation training * Brain-computer interface * Biofeedback videogame