A Brain Computer Interface for audio-visual entrainment in emotional regulation: Preliminary evidence of its effects.

Research on Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) has significantly increased during the last few years. Here, we review the state of the art of BCIs, looking at their components: signal acquisition, pre-processing or signal enhancement, feature extraction, classification and control interface. In order to translate this technology into useful clinical applications, data gathered in our laboratory using the Neuro Upper (NU) prototype were also reported. The study proposes a BCI in which a NeuroskyMindwave® headset is connected to a EEG based neuro-feedback computer so as to administer repetitive audio-visual stimulation or entrainment for regulating the emotional states of individuals with anxiety and depressive disorders. The application receives eight signals from the BCI analysis software and is settled on the self-regulation of the SSVEP amplitude as the effector device highlighting each lamp of the array corresponds to the eight brain signals detected. Seven subjects participated in the experiment to evaluate the system, and underwent a comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological assessment. Statistical analysis suggests a significant decrease in the symptoms of depression. Unexpectedly, however, important improvements were noted in outcome measures for cognitive function. The paper ends with a discussion of the challenges facing our BCI and concluding remarks on the future of the present technology.