Methodology and preliminary data on feasibility of a neurofeedback protocol to improve visual attention to letters in mild Alzheimer's disease

Deirdre Galvin-McLaughlin; Daniel Klee; Tab Memmott; Betts Peters; Jack Wiedrick; Melanie Fried-Oken; Barry Oken; Consortium for Accessible Multimodal Brain-Body Interfaces (CAMBI)

doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100950

Methodology and preliminary data on feasibility of a neurofeedback protocol to improve visual attention to letters in mild Alzheimer's disease

Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2022 Jun 13:28:100950. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100950. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Authors

Collaborators

Consortium for Accessible Multimodal Brain-Body Interfaces (CAMBI):
Deniz Erdogmus, David Smith, Steven Bedrick, Brandon Eddy, Michelle Kinsella, Matthew Lawhead, Aziz Kocanaogullari, Shiran Dudy

Affiliations

¹ Institute on Development & Disability, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
² Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
³ Biostatistics & Design Program, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, OR, USA.
⁴ Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
⁵ Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
⁶ Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.

Abstract

Background: Brain-computer interface (BCI) systems are controlled by users through neurophysiological input for a variety of applications, including communication, environmental control, and motor rehabilitation. Although individuals with severe speech and physical impairment are the primary users of this technology, BCIs have emerged as a potential tool for broader populations, including delivering cognitive training/interventions with neurofeedback (NFB).

Methods: This paper describes the development and preliminary testing of a protocol for use of a BCI system with NFB as an intervention for people with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). The intervention focused on training visual attention and language skills, as AD is often associated with functional impairments in both. This funded pilot study called for enrolling five participants with mild AD in a six-week BCI EEG-based NFB intervention that followed a four-to-seven-week baseline phase. While two participants completed the study, the remaining three participants could not complete the intervention phase because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Results: Preliminary pilot results suggested: (1) participants with mild AD were able to participate in a study with multiple assessments per week and complete all outcome measures, (2) most outcome measures were reliable during the baseline phase, and (3) all participants with mild AD learned to operate a BCI spelling system with training.

Conclusions: Although preliminary results demonstrate practical feasibility to deliver NFB intervention using a BCI to adults with AD, completion of the protocol in its entirety with more participants is needed to further assess whether implementing NFB-based cognitive intervention is justified by functional treatment outcomes.

Trial registration: This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03790774).

Keywords: Alzheimer disease; Attention; Brain-computer interfaces; Cognitive remediation.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03790774

Abstract

Associated data

Grants and funding