Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment in a P300 Speller Task for Attention Training

NCT05576649 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BSRESC-2022-2474456
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 51
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study compares different adaptation approaches in a P300-based BCI neurofeedback training to improve short-term attention. Participants will spell several words on a computer by focusing on a letter on the screen while their brain activity is recorded (P300 speller). The difficulty of this task will be adapted to train their attention. Their cognitive abilities will be evaluated using a random dot kinematogram, where they are asked to indicate the direction a fraction of moving dots on the computer screen is going in, before and after the training to analyse any improvements. Questionnaires will be used to compare the perceived task load of the different adaptation approaches.

Conditions

Attention

Keywords

Neurofeedback; Cognitive Training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Change in response times in the random dot motion task

  The change in mean response times for correct responses in the random dot motion task from pre- to post-training is analysed.

  Measured immediately before and after the training block in the experimental session (~1 hour and 30 minutes total)

• Change in accuracy in the random dot motion task

  The change in mean accuracy, i.e. number of correct responses over total number of targets, in the random dot motion task from pre- to post-training is analysed.

  Measured immediately before and after the training block in the experimental session (~1 hour and 30 minutes total)

• Change in total power of EEG signals

  The change in mean total power of EEG signals between 150ms to 550ms post-stimulus for target and non-target trials in the P300 speller task is analysed.

  Measured over the course of the training block in the experimental session (~1 hour and 30 minutes total)

• Change in alpha power of EEG signals

  The change in mean power of the alpha rhythm in the first 150ms after a non-target stimulus in the P300 speller task is analysed.

  Measured over the course of the training block in the experimental session (~1 hour and 30 minutes total)

• Length of training

  The length of the P300 training phase is compared between groups.

  Measured over the course of the training block in the experimental session (~1 hour and 30 minutes total)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in spelling accuracy in P300 speller task

  Measured immediately before and after the training block in the experimental session (~1 hour and 30 minutes total)

• Change in responses to questionnaire

  Measured immediately before and after the training block in the experimental session (~1 hour and 30 minutes total)

• Response to NASA Task Load Index questionnaire

  Measured immediately after the training block in the experimental session (~1 hour and 30 minutes total)

Study Arms (3)

Control Group 1

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

In this group, the number of flashes per row and column during the P300 speller training will be adapted based on the participants' previous performance according to the approach used by Arvaneh et al. (2019).

Other: Task difficulty adaptation according to Arvaneh et al. (2019)

Control Group 2

SHAM COMPARATOR

In this group, the number of flashes per row and column during the P300 speller training will be chosen randomly. It is independent of the participants' performance.

Other: Random task difficulty

Experimental Group

EXPERIMENTAL

In this group, the number of flashes per row and column during the P300 speller training will be adapted according to an iterative learning control law that was developed by the principal investigator of this study. The control law uses the previous number of flashes, as well as the participants' previous performance.

Other: Task difficulty adaptation according to iterative learning controller

Interventions

Task difficulty adaptation according to Arvaneh et al. (2019) OTHER

The task difficulty in the P300 speller training will be adapted according to Arvaneh et al. (2019).

Control Group 1

Random task difficulty OTHER

The task difficulty in the P300 speller training is chosen randomly.

Control Group 2

Task difficulty adaptation according to iterative learning controller OTHER

The task difficulty in the P300 speller is determined by an iterative learning controller.

Experimental Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• years and older
• able to consent
• normal or corrected-to-normal vision

You may not qualify if:

• history of neurological or cognitive illnesses
• negative reaction to electroconductive gel used in the study (an allergy patch test will be carried out before the experiment starts)
• illiteracy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National University of Ireland, Maynooth: lead
• Dublin City University: collaborator
• Irish Research Council: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Maynooth University

Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Arvaneh M, Robertson IH, Ward TE. A P300-Based Brain-Computer Interface for Improving Attention. Front Hum Neurosci. 2019 Jan 4;12:524. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00524. eCollection 2018.

  PMID: 30662400 BACKGROUND

• Noble SC, Woods E, Ward T, Ringwood JV. Adaptive P300-Based Brain-Computer Interface for Attention Training: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2023 Jul 5;12:e46135. doi: 10.2196/46135.

  PMID: 37405822 DERIVED

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 28, 2022
• First Posted: October 12, 2022
• Study Start: October 3, 2022
• Primary Completion: March 13, 2023
• Study Completion: March 13, 2023
• Last Updated: March 22, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IE (1)