The Effect of Brain-computer Interface-based Cognitive Training in Patients with Dementia

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the changes in the cognitive function of elderly dementia patients residing in a residential care facility, following six weeks of brain-computer interface (BCI)-based cognitive training and to determine whether BCI-based cognitive training effectively improves their cognitive functions. METHODS: Thirty subjects diagnosed with dementia were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Pre- and post-test cognitive function assessments were conducted using the mini mental state examination-Korean (MMSE-K) and Korean-dementia rating scale (K-DRS). The experimental group received BCI-based cognitive training, which consisted of games such as flying a ball and exploding a bomb, while the control group participated in music listening activities and National Health Gymnastics. Both groups engaged in a total of 18 sessions (3 times per week for 6 weeks, for 40 minutes per session). RESULTS: After 6 weeks of intervention, the experimental group had significantly increased MMSE-K scores ($19.53{\pm}1.30$ to $22.20{\pm}1.15$; p<.0011) and total K-DRS scores ($87.20{\pm}4.16$ to $99.33{\pm}1.15$; p<.0011). In addition, the experimental group showed greater cognitive improvements than the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that BCI-based cognitive training is a positive intervention tool for improving the cognitive function of dementia patients.