Frijoles

Video Game Uses Brain to Control Action
By Christina DesMarais[->0], PCWorld[->1] Oct 16, 2011 7:08 AM


Video games often require childrens to use theyr hands to control the action but a newone realesd by a collaboritation that includes an Australian researched invites kids to use their brains-- literaly.
.
Focus Pocus[->2] uses a brainwave-reading headset and helps children ages 7-13improve impulse control, memory, attention and relaxation.
One of the developers became interested in alternative treatments for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder afterlistening to their parents’ concerns about over-medication.
The new game was produced though collaboration between Australian researcher Dr. Stuart Johnstone, Silicon Valley brain computer interface companyNeuroSky, Australian neurocognitive software maker NeuroCog and London-based games developer roll7.
Players wear a headset called MindWave that connects wirelessly to a PC and useselectroencephalographic (EEG) technology to read electrical activity in the brain’s pre-frontal cortex where higher thinking -- such as emotions, mental states and concentration -- occur. The MindWave uses a singlesensor on the forehead for data input and two sensors on the ear clip for grounding and reference.
Once the headset is on a player’s head, the child then takes on the role of an apprentice wizard,working through 12 mini games that requires he or she to think in certain ways. For instance, to cast a hex on ghouls or zap goblins the player needs to remember where in a library a spell book wasleft. The player also can turn a pig into a trumpet by relaxing and do things like fly a broomstick by concentrating.
Parents have access to daily reports as well as a comprehensive report onperformance changes in impulse control and memory, EEG changes and observable behavior change.


Johnstone began his work on the project after finding that training in impulse-control and memory minimized...