System based on multi-sensory learning and EEG biofeedback for improving reading ability

Abstract

A system and method for improving reading ability simultaneously utilizing a distinctive protocol of multi-sensory learning and EEG biofeedback. The present invention more particularly relates to an EEG biofeedback system comprising a biofeedback apparatus in the form of a head-mountable device including an electrode array for measuring bioelectrical signals generated by a cerebral cortex of a user's brain and a computer device receiving and analyzing data collected by said biofeedback apparatus and providing audiovisual feedback to the user.

Claims

1. An EEG biofeedback system comprising: a head-mountable biofeedback apparatus including an electrode array for measuring bioelectrical signals generated by a cerebral cortex of a user's brain; a computer device for receiving and analyzing the bioelectrical signals measured by the head-mountable biofeedback apparatus, and providing an audiovisual feedback to the user; and wherein the audiovisual feedback is provided to the user in response to the user consciously directing the brainwaves of the user to: (a) reduce delta and theta waves at Broca area in the user's brain, (b) reduce delta and theta waves at Wernicke area in the user's brain, (c) reduce a maximum absolute power of theta waves measured from a first electrode of the electrode array at a left hemisphere of the user's brain, and (d) reduce a maximum absolute power of theta waves measured from a second electrode of the electrode array at a right hemisphere of the user's brain, wherein the EEG biofeedback system is configured to perform a multi-sensory learning process simultaneously with the providing of the audiovisual feedback, and wherein the multi-sensory learning process includes using pictures, sounds, and videos to teach letters or predetermined texts to the user.

2. The EEG biofeedback system according to claim 1, wherein the delta and theta waves at the Broca area are measured by electrodes F3, F7, and FC5 of the electrode array.

3. The EEG biofeedback system according to claim 1, wherein the delta and theta waves at the Wernicke area are measured by electrode T7 of the electrode array.

4. An EEG biofeedback method performed by an EEG biofeedback system comprising a head-mountable biofeedback apparatus and a computer device, wherein the EEG biofeedback method comprises: measuring bioelectrical signals generated by a cerebral cortex of a user's brain by the head-mountable biofeedback apparatus; receiving and analyzing, by the computer device, the bioelectrical signals measured by the head-mountable biofeedback apparatus; providing, by the computer device, an audiovisual feedback to the user; and performing a multi-sensory learning process simultaneously with the providing of the audiovisual feedback, wherein the multi-sensory learning process includes using pictures, sounds, and videos to teach letters or predetermined texts to the user, wherein the audiovisual feedback is provided to the user in response to the user consciously directing the brainwaves of the user to: (a) reduce delta and theta waves at Broca area in the user's brain, (b) reduce delta and theta waves at Wernicke area in the user's brain, (c) reduce a maximum absolute power of theta waves measured from a first electrode of an electrode array at a left hemisphere of the user's brain, and (d) reduce a maximum absolute power of theta waves measured from a second electrode of the electrode array at a right hemisphere of the user's brain.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying an EEG biofeedback system, whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.

(2) The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the Claims, nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in said Claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 1 demonstrates a general flow diagram according to which the EEG biofeedback system of the invention executes various functions.

(4) FIG. 2 demonstrates a general flow diagram according to a second optional embodiment of the present invention where the EEG biofeedback system is configured to perform multi-sensory learning tasks simultaneously with biofeedback.

(5) FIG. 3 demonstrates elements of the EEG biofeedback system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(6) Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It has a prevalence of 10 to 15% of children. It is estimated, 83% of children who have been diagnosed and received treatment continue their academic life without issues. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. There is also reported a connection between learning problems and dementia. Therefore, lifelong and continuous learning is critical to improve cognitive capacity and preserve health.

(7) For the most part, the difficulties in learning to read and write that are typical of dyslexia, are caused by a fundamental problem with speech processing. In the speech processing system, specific roles for Broca's area and Wernicke's area have been suggested: Broca's area being involved in an output code and Wernicke's area (the superior temporal gyrus) in some form of input code. Further evidence, however, shows that Wernicke's area is not only activated by auditory language input, but also by language tasks which do not involve auditory stimulation (Paulesu et al. Brain. 1996. 119:143-157).

(8) The EEG biofeedback system is suitable for use with the International 10-20 system (Klem et al. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1999. 52:3-6) for electrode placement. More preferably, the EEG biofeedback system utilizes the 10% electrode system, also called the extended 10-20 electrode system, (Nuwer et al. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1998. 106:259-261) which provides high-resolution EEG measurements. By using 10% electrode system, it is possible to more accurately target Broca's area and Wernicke's area.

(9) Individuals can typically benefit from biofeedback sessions by consciously directing their brainwaves. The biofeedback system can typically make use of a video game setup with visual and audio feedback. For instance an animation with music changing in frequency, volume, and rhythm can allow the subject to respond to generated audiovisual feedback by adapting to a voluntary and better controlled functional state.

(10) The present invention discloses an EEG biofeedback system comprising a biofeedback apparatus in the form of a head-mountable device including an electrode array for measuring bioelectrical signals generated by a cerebral cortex of a user's brain and a computer device receiving and analyzing data collected by said biofeedback apparatus and providing audiovisual feedback to the user such that said EEG biofeedback system is configured to reduce (a) delta and theta waves at Broca area if above threshold for at least 10 minutes, (b) reduce delta and theta waves at Wernicke area in the brain if above threshold for at least 10 minutes, (c) find the channels with maximum absolute power of theta waves at the left hemisphere and reduce absolute theta for those channels for at least 10 minutes, (d) find the channels with maximum absolute power of theta waves at the right hemisphere and reduce absolute theta for those channels for at least 10 minutes.

(11) The biofeedback apparatus in the form of a head-mountable device according to the invention can for instance be an Emotiv EPOC+ headset (trade name) with 16 electrodes (AF3, AF4, F7, F8, F3, F4, FC5, FC6, T7, T8, CMS, DRL, P7, P8, 01 and 02 according to the 10-20 system).

(12) According to a second optional embodiment of the present invention, the EEG biofeedback system is configured to perform multi-sensory learning tasks simultaneously with biofeedback. It is established that parallel execution of (A) multi-sensory learning (through pictures, sound, video) to teach letters, predetermined words/sentences and in general text and (B) simultaneously biofeedback to increase Beta-1, Beta-2 if below threshold is additionally particularly advantageous. It is to be noted the inventors of the present invention have found that when biofeedback is applied during a cognitive task (i.e. during multi-sensory learning), the positive affect is substantially higher than applying biofeedback at the resting state. Therefore, the EEG biofeedback system configured to perform tasks (a) to (d) above during a resting period preferably additionally performs biofeedback during cognitive tasks (multi-sensory learning).

(13) Biofeedback during resting state as described in (a) to (d) followed by biofeedback during cognitively active state is found to be associated with improved treatment achievements such that the speed of reading is measurably increased and the number of errors are substantially reduced.

(14) Preferably, steps (a) to (d) followed by cognitive step biofeedback sessions are repeated at least 20 sessions.

(15) It is to be noted that the EEG biofeedback system is suitable for home use and can work with different EEG signal headsets.

(16) In a nutshell, the present invention proposes an EEG biofeedback system comprising a biofeedback apparatus in the form of a head-mountable device including an electrode array for measuring bioelectrical signals generated by a cerebral cortex of a human brain and a computer device receiving and analyzing data collected by said biofeedback apparatus and providing audiovisual feedback to the user such that said EEG biofeedback system is configured to reduce: (a) delta and theta waves at Broca area if above threshold for at least 10 minutes, (b) reduce delta and theta waves at Wernicke area in the brain if above threshold for at least 10 minutes, (c) find the channels with maximum absolute power of theta waves at the left hemisphere and reduce absolute theta for those channels for at least 10 minutes, (d) find the channels with maximum absolute power of theta waves at the right hemisphere and reduce absolute theta for those channels for at least 10 minutes.

(17) In a further aspect of the present invention, activity of delta and theta waves at Broca area are read by electrodes F3, F7 and FC5 according to International 10-20 system.

(18) In a further aspect of the present invention, activity of delta and theta waves at Wernicke area are read by electrode T7 according to modified combinatorial nomenclature international 10-20 system.

(19) In a further aspect of the present invention, the EEG biofeedback system is additionally configured to perform biofeedback during a cognitively active period induced by a multi-sensory learning process.

(20) In a further aspect of the present invention, the multi-sensory learning process involves use of pictures, sound and video to teach letters, predetermined text.

(21) In a further aspect of the present invention, the EEG biofeedback system is configured to perform biofeedback to increase Beta-1 and/or Beta-2 waves if below threshold

(22) In a further aspect of the present invention, the EEG biofeedback system is configured to perform steps (a) to (d) as set forth in the claims followed by cognitively active state biofeedback process as set forth in the claims at least 20 sessions.