基于BCI与VR的认知诊疗应用

Applications of BCI and VR in cognitive diagnosis and treatment

  • 摘要: 认知涉及注意力、记忆、情感,是人类获取和应用知识的基本过程. 随着全球老龄化加速,认知障碍如轻度认知障碍(MCI)、阿尔茨海默病(AD)和痴呆症已成为重大健康问题. 早期诊断和治疗认知障碍能够改善患者生活质量并减轻社会负担,但药物治疗、功能性磁共振成像(fMRI)和功能性近红外光谱(fNIRS)等传统方法存在诊断准确性低、药物效果有限及评估工具缺乏等问题. 脑机接口(BCI)和虚拟现实(VR)技术的结合,为认知诊疗提供了新的解决方案. BCI通过分析大脑信号,实现脑与计算机或其他设备之间的信息交换,在运动功能障碍康复中已有成功应用. VR通过沉浸式的虚拟环境,为认知训练和康复提供逼真互动体验. BCI‒VR技术结合多感官刺激和实时反馈,增强了认知训练效果. 本文回顾了BCI和VR技术在认知诊断和治疗中的应用现状,介绍了基于脑电图(EEG)、fMRI和fNIRS的BCI诊断方法以及基于VR的诊断方法,并探讨了这些技术的优势与挑战. 此外,分析了跨个体、跨场景脑电信号分析对提高认知障碍评估精准性和有效性的贡献. 总结了BCI‒VR技术在认知行为治疗、记忆与注意力训练、神经康复及情感调节等方面的应用,强调了BCI‒VR技术在认知障碍治疗中的潜力. 尽管BCI‒VR技术展现了广阔前景,但仍面临设备复杂、个性化设计不足,以及实验样本局限等挑战. 未来的发展方向包括设备的小型化与低成本化、多模态BCI技术及大语言模型的应用,同时,需要加强政产学研医的深入合作以推动BCI‒VR技术在认知诊疗领域的临床转化.

     

    Abstract: Cognition encompasses essential mental processes, such as attention, memory, and emotion, which are fundamental to the way humans acquire and apply knowledge. With the rapid aging in the global population, cognitive impairments, including mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia, have emerged as significant public health concerns. The early diagnosis and effective treatment of these disorders are crucial for improving the quality of life of patients and reducing the societal burden associated with these conditions. However, traditional diagnostic and therapeutic methods, such as pharmacotherapy, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), face several challenges, including low diagnostic accuracy, limited efficacy, and the lack of comprehensive assessment tools. The integration of brain–computer interface (BCI) and virtual reality (VR) technologies offers innovative solutions for cognitive diagnosis and treatment. BCI facilitates the exchange of information between the brain and external devices by analyzing brain signals, allowing for applications such as the rehabilitation of motor function disorders. Meanwhile, VR creates immersive and interactive environments that provide realistic experiences that can be used for cognitive training and rehabilitation. The combination of BCI and VR technologies enhances the effectiveness of cognitive interventions by providing multisensory stimulation and real-time feedback, making these interventions more engaging and potentially more effective. This paper reviews the current applications of BCI and VR technologies in cognitive diagnosis and treatment. Various BCI diagnostic methods based on Electroencephalogram (EEG), fMRI, and fNIRS, as well as VR-based diagnostic methods, will be introduced, and the advantages and limitations of these technologies will be discussed. In addition, this paper explores the contributions of cross-individual, cross-scenario, and cross-task EEG signal analysis to the precision and effectiveness of cognitive impairment assessment. The review will highlight the significant potential of BCI‒VR technology in various cognitive therapy domains, including cognitive behavioral therapy, memory and attention training, neurorehabilitation, and emotion regulation. The discussion will also tackle the challenges faced by BCI‒VR technology, such as device complexity, the need for personalized design, and the limitations of experimental samples. Despite the promising outlook for BCI‒VR technology, several challenges remain. The complexity of the devices, the lack of customization in virtual environments, and the adaptability of these systems across different individuals and scenarios are key issues that need to be addressed. This paper suggests that future research should focus on the miniaturization and cost reduction of BCI‒VR devices, the development of multimodal BCI systems, and the application of large language models to enhance the functionality and accessibility of these technologies. Furthermore, the importance of strengthening the collaboration among government, industry, academia, research institutions, and the medical field is emphasized as a critical factor in advancing the clinical translation of BCI‒VR technology for cognitive diagnosis and treatment. The review concludes that, although traditional methods have paved the way for understanding cognitive impairments, BCI‒VR technologies have the potential to revolutionize both the diagnosis and the treatment of these conditions. By overcoming the current technical challenges and fostering interdisciplinary cooperation, BCI‒VR systems can become integral tools in the global effort to improve cognitive health and enhance the lives of individuals who are affected by cognitive disorders.

     

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