Exploring the effects of different BCI-based attention training games on the brain: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

•Neuroscientifically, One type of BCI game, physical games (PG), elicits greater cerebral cortex activation than another type, video games (VG). Females exhibit stronger activation in PG. BCI games have been widely employed as non-invasive therapeutic interventions for conditions, but their efficacy remains a subject of debate. This study explores the efficacy of two prevalent forms of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)-based attention training games: video games (VG) and physical games (PG). The effectiveness of these games has been examined through the lens of neuroscience, using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor cortical activation. After the fNIRS test, subjects completed an Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) questionnaire. PG tasks activated six channels (L-PFC, R-PFC and R-TL), while VG tasks activated only one (R-PFC). Furthermore, females exhibited stronger activation during PG tasks, while males had none in either. Our findings suggest that under equivalent game rules and themes, PG may prove more effective for cognitive rehabilitation than VG, with stronger intrinsic motivation. We also found this result may exhibit gender differences. Finally, this research offers valuable insights for the future design of BCI-based games from a neuroscience perspective.