Systems and methods for assessing and improving sustained attention
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11452475-B2
Publication Date
2022-09-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to a system and method for assessing and training the quality of attentional awareness and control of an individual. The individual's attention is monitored using a neurophysiological system such as EEG while using a computer system and display that provides signals that allow the correlation of behavioral measures of attention with neurophysiological measures. The combination of those signals is a novel, accurate and reliable system for assessing any individual's true attention capabilities.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a computerized attention testing system having an EEG sensor and an output device. The method measures attention capability by providing a first auditory stimulus to be attended and a second auditory stimulus to be ignored during a time period, where the first and second auditory stimuli pulsate at a first frequency and a second frequency, respectively.
Infra-slow fluctuation of SSAEP is measured substantially during the time period using a neural scanner. A measure of attention capability of the user is computed by using the infra-slow fluctuation SSAEP of the user.
The approach aligns attention state with SSAEP infra-slow fluctuations while the attended target and ignored distractor are presented through auditory stimuli pulsating at different frequencies. Behavioral measures such as reaction-time fluctuation are correlated with infra-slow SSAEP/SSVEP amplitude fluctuations to compute an attention score that reflects attend/ignore and performance over time.
Claims Coverage
The identified independent claim is clm-00001. The claim covers measuring attention capability by presenting attended and ignored auditory stimuli with frequency tagging, then using infra-slow SSAEP measured during the time period to compute a measure of attention capability, with the method implemented in a computerized attention testing system that includes an EEG sensor and a neural scanner.
Compute attention capability from infra-slow SSAEP during an attended and ignored auditory stimulus time period
Providing a first auditory stimulus to be attended during a time period, providing a second auditory stimulus to be ignored during the time period, measuring an infra-slow fluctuation of SSAEP substantially during the time period using a neural scanner, and computing a measure of attention capability using the infra-slow fluctuation SSAEP.
Frequency-tagging attended and ignored auditory stimuli
Providing the first auditory stimulus pulsating at a first frequency and providing the second auditory stimulus pulsating at a second frequency, where the first stimulus is attended and the second stimulus is ignored.
Computerized attention testing system with EEG sensor and output device
Providing a computerized attention testing system having an EEG sensor and an output device configured to present the auditory stimuli and support measurement via a neural scanner.
Overall, the claim set centers on computing a user’s attention capability from measured infra-slow SSAEP while simultaneously presenting an attended auditory stimulus and an ignored auditory stimulus, each pulsating at different frequencies, within a computerized attention testing system that includes an EEG sensor and neural-scanner measurement.
Stated Advantages
Enables continuous feedback and meta-attention training for attentional awareness and control.
Supports separating attending versus distractor suppression.
Correlates behavioral measures (reaction-time fluctuation) with infra-slow SSAEP/SSVEP amplitude fluctuations to compute an attention capability or attention score.
Enables continuous assessment of attention capability over time using infra-slow neural fluctuations.
Documented Applications
Attention assessment and training workflow using an EEG sensor and neural scanner with frequency tagging of attended and ignored stimuli for sustained attention and meta-attention training.
Potential diagnosis and therapeutic personalization for conditions including ADHD.
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