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Optimal functioning: Psychophysiological bases and neurofeedback training
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Symposium abstracts / International Journal of Psychophysiology 69 (2008) 139–205
decade. The roam of disciplines benefiting from eye tracking is huge: from aeronautics to advertisement effectiveness, from medical diagnostics to software usability, from assistive technology to lie detectors, from brain research to human–computer-interaction. There are a number of methods for measuring eye movements. Due to increased sophistication, reliability, usability and accessibility video-based eye tracking systems currently represent the most popular method. Other methods use search coils or are based on Electrooculography (EOG). Various technical implementations allow specific experiments for panel groups or individual subjects. Dedicated solutions allow measuring eye movements in mobile, office or lab environments, out- and indoor, day or night. All together eye movement recordings, especially in combination with further physiological readings and dedicated analysis tools, allow for a deeper insight in how real world is perceived, what triggers our visual attention, what catches our eye. On the result-based side one can determine performances on task completion, effectiveness of user interaction or user status. Upcoming major challenges are further miniaturization of systems, gain in robustness and versatility, integration in multimodal systems and smart tools to interpret and analyze the measures.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.05.420 Incomplete image perception: Local features and global description Y. Shelepin a, A. Harauzov a, V. Chihman a, S. Pronin a, V. Fokin b, N. Foreman c Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, nab. Makarova 6, 199034, Russia b Medical Military Academy, St Petersburg, Russia c Department of Psychology, Middlesex University, Queensway, Enfield EN3 4SF, Middlesex, London, UK
a
Investigations of incomplete image recognition were undertaken. There are at least two different strategies to resolve this task. The perception of images as a whole is one strategy, and another, the analysis of local, informative features. We investigated the mechanisms underlying local and global processing of the incomplete textures and incomplete figures of objects (Gollin test). Pattern discrimination, according to the matched filtration model, consists of several stages: primary filtration, matched filtration, a decision making mechanism, and a motor response. The incomplete textures were matrices composed of Gabor patches, the orientation of which varied from 0 to 165°, in 15° steps. Matrices differed in terms of the number of Gabor patches with vertical or horizontal orientations. The observers' task was to discriminate the dominant orientation. Such stimuli provide the possibility of calculating the global statistics textures, as the difference between the total amount of vertical and horizontal orientation within the stimulus. The local statistics we calculated as the relative amounts of nearby patches as collinear contours. In terms of psychophysics, the subjects' accuracy in discriminating textures gradually improved, as reaction time decreased with the number of vertically or horizontally oriented Gabor patches. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) recorded from the occipital lobes revealed different dependencies of their components' magnitude on the amount of similarly oriented patches. fMRI investigations permit us to localize the differences in brain activity under two experimental approaches — passive observation and active discrimination of the main orientation of Gabor patches in the matrix. We obtained, in passive and active experimental approaches, localization of global and local descriptions. The other class of incomplete figures (the Gollin-test incomplete figures) was that of fragmented line drawings of everyday objects in prototypical views. The recognition of Gollin figures depended on the images' statistical characteristics. The Gollin figures were perceived at first presentation as whole structures, whereas high order local informative features are used by the brain as an additional source of information. Training with the set of test images increased the importance of specific local features for recognition. We suppose that incomplete figures are perceived as a whole, as they are compared with a template in memory according to the matched filtration model. The templates are extracted with the help of a selective attention mechanism. We localize in time and in brain areas the main stages of the local and global description model. The decision making mechanism we localized in frontal cortex areas. This work supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research grant 0504-49032.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.05.421
SYMPOSIUM 17: Psychophysiological Bases of Neurobiofeedback Chair: M.B. Shtark (Russia) Optimal functioning: Psychophysiological bases and neurofeedback training O.M. Bazanova, O.A. Jafarova, K.V. Mazhirina, E.M. Mernaya, M.B. Shtark State Research Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Siberian Branch Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation The psychophysiological term “Optimal functioning” (OF) describe the extraordinary experience of being absorbed by an activity carried out with high engagement and yet great effortlessness and ease. Subjective reports of people in sports, performing arts and business suggest that the OF is associated with personal high performance. Traditional teaching models have focused on bringing students to a conscious awareness and understanding of the exemplary models of performance, but not bringing them to comprehension of their own opportunities. Neurofeedback training (NFT) allows indirect account for the feelings of control, because the process of achieving a skilled performance relies on visual, auditory, and somatosensory feedback and integration. The goal of this presentation is to describe NFT methods for achieving OF and present results of repeated trainings. With the help of the electroencephalography and spectral ECG investigation, together with a variety of functional and cognitive probes, we have received critical information for understanding underlying individual mechanisms in OF, as well as essential guides for directing meaningful individualized NFT. We have demonstrated a comprehensive model of selfawareness and self-regulation, in which NFT enhanced mental and psychomotor techniques with the help of “BosLab” computer programming complex in the context of multimodal protocol for total performance enhancement programs for schools, performing arts, sports, executives, and the military. The NFT had begun with a task analysis, person EEG–EMG–ECG analysis, and how to practice, how ‘expert performance’ can be assessed and trained. It was shown that game-based biofeedback technology can serve as a tool for individual behavioral strategy assessment and OF ability evaluation. It was shown that behavioral strategy of learning to develop OF coupled with the baseline individual EEG alpha activity and heart rate variability indices and that efficiency in success achievement in different models NFT associated with these measures too. The authors propose that there exists a common mechanism operating in widely different successful applications. The individual EEG alpha activity pattern is the leading factor that determines behavioral model (e.g. peculiarities of perception, performance and of the method self-regulation learning) and Neurofeedback training efficiency.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.05.422 Biofeedback training and bioelectric control from patient's endogenous rhythms in non-drug correction of human functional disturbances A.I. Fedotchev a, A.T. Bondar a, A.L. Evstigneev b, V.N. Gradoboev c, V.S. Semenov a a Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow region, Russia b M.M.Gromov flying-research Institute, Zhukovsky, Moscow region, Russia c Russian Academy of Sciences Presidium, section of applied problems, Moscow, Russia Modern life is characterized by a great many of stressful conditions that induce multiple functional disturbances in humans and could often lead to various diseases and even death. Therefore, application of non-drug methods for well-timed correction of undesired stress-induced functional shifts is highly required. Among such approaches there are resonance stimulation methods (Audio-Visual Entrainment or Brain-Wave Synchronization) and Biofeedback Training Approach (BTA). All these non-invasive and safe methods are aligned to the central regulatory systems of the organism and practically have no side effects. BTA due to feedback signals from immediately registered physiological characteristics of the patient has additional advantages, such as extreme individuality and active conscious participation of a person in the process of own state optimization. However, the requirement for a subject to become aware of feedback signals and to use them meaningly often causes serious difficulties for many patients, thus limiting BTA efficiency.
Symposium abstracts / International Journal of Psychophysiology 69 (2008) 139–205
decade. The roam of disciplines benefiting from eye tracking is huge: from aeronautics to advertisement effectiveness, from medical diagnostics to software usability, from assistive technology to lie detectors, from brain research to human–computer-interaction. There are a number of methods for measuring eye movements. Due to increased sophistication, reliability, usability and accessibility video-based eye tracking systems currently represent the most popular method. Other methods use search coils or are based on Electrooculography (EOG). Various technical implementations allow specific experiments for panel groups or individual subjects. Dedicated solutions allow measuring eye movements in mobile, office or lab environments, out- and indoor, day or night. All together eye movement recordings, especially in combination with further physiological readings and dedicated analysis tools, allow for a deeper insight in how real world is perceived, what triggers our visual attention, what catches our eye. On the result-based side one can determine performances on task completion, effectiveness of user interaction or user status. Upcoming major challenges are further miniaturization of systems, gain in robustness and versatility, integration in multimodal systems and smart tools to interpret and analyze the measures.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.05.420 Incomplete image perception: Local features and global description Y. Shelepin a, A. Harauzov a, V. Chihman a, S. Pronin a, V. Fokin b, N. Foreman c Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, nab. Makarova 6, 199034, Russia b Medical Military Academy, St Petersburg, Russia c Department of Psychology, Middlesex University, Queensway, Enfield EN3 4SF, Middlesex, London, UK
a
Investigations of incomplete image recognition were undertaken. There are at least two different strategies to resolve this task. The perception of images as a whole is one strategy, and another, the analysis of local, informative features. We investigated the mechanisms underlying local and global processing of the incomplete textures and incomplete figures of objects (Gollin test). Pattern discrimination, according to the matched filtration model, consists of several stages: primary filtration, matched filtration, a decision making mechanism, and a motor response. The incomplete textures were matrices composed of Gabor patches, the orientation of which varied from 0 to 165°, in 15° steps. Matrices differed in terms of the number of Gabor patches with vertical or horizontal orientations. The observers' task was to discriminate the dominant orientation. Such stimuli provide the possibility of calculating the global statistics textures, as the difference between the total amount of vertical and horizontal orientation within the stimulus. The local statistics we calculated as the relative amounts of nearby patches as collinear contours. In terms of psychophysics, the subjects' accuracy in discriminating textures gradually improved, as reaction time decreased with the number of vertically or horizontally oriented Gabor patches. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) recorded from the occipital lobes revealed different dependencies of their components' magnitude on the amount of similarly oriented patches. fMRI investigations permit us to localize the differences in brain activity under two experimental approaches — passive observation and active discrimination of the main orientation of Gabor patches in the matrix. We obtained, in passive and active experimental approaches, localization of global and local descriptions. The other class of incomplete figures (the Gollin-test incomplete figures) was that of fragmented line drawings of everyday objects in prototypical views. The recognition of Gollin figures depended on the images' statistical characteristics. The Gollin figures were perceived at first presentation as whole structures, whereas high order local informative features are used by the brain as an additional source of information. Training with the set of test images increased the importance of specific local features for recognition. We suppose that incomplete figures are perceived as a whole, as they are compared with a template in memory according to the matched filtration model. The templates are extracted with the help of a selective attention mechanism. We localize in time and in brain areas the main stages of the local and global description model. The decision making mechanism we localized in frontal cortex areas. This work supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research grant 0504-49032.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.05.421
SYMPOSIUM 17: Psychophysiological Bases of Neurobiofeedback Chair: M.B. Shtark (Russia) Optimal functioning: Psychophysiological bases and neurofeedback training O.M. Bazanova, O.A. Jafarova, K.V. Mazhirina, E.M. Mernaya, M.B. Shtark State Research Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Siberian Branch Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation The psychophysiological term “Optimal functioning” (OF) describe the extraordinary experience of being absorbed by an activity carried out with high engagement and yet great effortlessness and ease. Subjective reports of people in sports, performing arts and business suggest that the OF is associated with personal high performance. Traditional teaching models have focused on bringing students to a conscious awareness and understanding of the exemplary models of performance, but not bringing them to comprehension of their own opportunities. Neurofeedback training (NFT) allows indirect account for the feelings of control, because the process of achieving a skilled performance relies on visual, auditory, and somatosensory feedback and integration. The goal of this presentation is to describe NFT methods for achieving OF and present results of repeated trainings. With the help of the electroencephalography and spectral ECG investigation, together with a variety of functional and cognitive probes, we have received critical information for understanding underlying individual mechanisms in OF, as well as essential guides for directing meaningful individualized NFT. We have demonstrated a comprehensive model of selfawareness and self-regulation, in which NFT enhanced mental and psychomotor techniques with the help of “BosLab” computer programming complex in the context of multimodal protocol for total performance enhancement programs for schools, performing arts, sports, executives, and the military. The NFT had begun with a task analysis, person EEG–EMG–ECG analysis, and how to practice, how ‘expert performance’ can be assessed and trained. It was shown that game-based biofeedback technology can serve as a tool for individual behavioral strategy assessment and OF ability evaluation. It was shown that behavioral strategy of learning to develop OF coupled with the baseline individual EEG alpha activity and heart rate variability indices and that efficiency in success achievement in different models NFT associated with these measures too. The authors propose that there exists a common mechanism operating in widely different successful applications. The individual EEG alpha activity pattern is the leading factor that determines behavioral model (e.g. peculiarities of perception, performance and of the method self-regulation learning) and Neurofeedback training efficiency.
doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.05.422 Biofeedback training and bioelectric control from patient's endogenous rhythms in non-drug correction of human functional disturbances A.I. Fedotchev a, A.T. Bondar a, A.L. Evstigneev b, V.N. Gradoboev c, V.S. Semenov a a Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow region, Russia b M.M.Gromov flying-research Institute, Zhukovsky, Moscow region, Russia c Russian Academy of Sciences Presidium, section of applied problems, Moscow, Russia Modern life is characterized by a great many of stressful conditions that induce multiple functional disturbances in humans and could often lead to various diseases and even death. Therefore, application of non-drug methods for well-timed correction of undesired stress-induced functional shifts is highly required. Among such approaches there are resonance stimulation methods (Audio-Visual Entrainment or Brain-Wave Synchronization) and Biofeedback Training Approach (BTA). All these non-invasive and safe methods are aligned to the central regulatory systems of the organism and practically have no side effects. BTA due to feedback signals from immediately registered physiological characteristics of the patient has additional advantages, such as extreme individuality and active conscious participation of a person in the process of own state optimization. However, the requirement for a subject to become aware of feedback signals and to use them meaningly often causes serious difficulties for many patients, thus limiting BTA efficiency.