Real-Time Attention Regulation and Cognitive Monitoring Using a Wearable EEG-Based BCI

OBJECTIVE: Attention regulation is an essential ability in daily life that affects learning and work efficiency and is closely related to mental health. The effectiveness of brain-computer interface (BCI) systems in attention regulation has been proven, but most of these systems rely on bulky and expensive equipment and are still in the experimental stage. This study proposes a wearable BCI system for real-time attention regulation and cognitive monitoring. METHODS: The BCI system integrates a wearable single-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) headband with wireless data streaming for real-time analysis. Twenty healthy subjects participated in the long-term attention regulation experiment and were evenly divided into an experimental group and a control group based on the presence of real-time neurofeedback. The neurofeedback is represented by output value of attention, which calculated from single-channel EEG data. Before and after the regulation sessions, baseline assessments were conducted for each subject, incorporating multi-channel EEG data analysis and cognitive behavioral evaluations, to verify the effectiveness of system for attention regulation. RESULTS: The online experimental results indicate that the average attention level in the experimental group increased from 0.625 to 0.812, while no significant improvement was observed in the control group. Further comparative analysis revealed the reasons for the enhancement of attention regulation ability in terms of both brain network patterns and cognitive performance. SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed wearable BCI system is effective at improving attention regulation ability and could be a promising tool for assisting people with attention disorders.