EEG Asymmetry Analysis of the Left and Right Brain Activities During Simple versus Complex Arithmetic Learning

Abstract

Introduction. Repeated practice of simple arithmetic such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication has been widely used for effective math education. Brain activity patterns during simple and complex arithmetic calculation have been explored by several research groups using magnetic resonance images (MRI) and functional MRI (fMRI), and some have reported that the balanced whole brain (both left and right brain) activities during simple arithmetic in contrast to the predominant left brain activities during complex arithmetic. Methods. In this work, we have identified the characteristic brainwaves and asymmetric activation patterns of the left and right brain during the process of simple and complex arithmetic by measuring theta, alpha, Sensory Motor Response (SMR), and beta brainwaves of 24 participants from the location FP1 (left brain) and FP2 (right brain) using EEG. Results. Simple statistics analysis showed the significantly different beta activities from the left brain during complex arithmetic compared to simple arithmetic process, and through the asymmetry analysis of the left and right brain activities, less symmetrical brain activation during complex calculation, that is, specifically higher SMR, and beta brainwaves in the left hemisphere more than right hemisphere was identified, which is consistent with recent fMRI findings. Conclusion. The results imply that simple arithmetic process may improve the whole brain activities in a balanced way while complex arithmetic induce unbalanced activities of the left and right brain.

Subliminal Cues While Teaching: HCI Technique for Enhanced Learning

“…These findings yielded some interesting metrics, called ratios, to measure and express mental operations. Thus, recent work in asymmetry analysis relevant to our research has revealed higher Beta asymmetries from the left brain during complex arithmetic processes compared to simple computations [63]. This area of research can potentially be quite invaluable in accessing whether the learner is engaged in far too much mental arithmetic than required for a specific lesson.…”

A Wireless Body Sensor Platform to Detect Progressive Deterioration in Musculoskeletal Systems

“…Since the inception of mobile technology, devices have evolved into small and powerful computing devices that connect directly to public networks to provide and use Internet applications and services. Wireless technologies, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS-3G) and High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA-3.5G), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) [2], have converged into a common IP network [3] and this has made it much easier for devices to interconnect and interoperate with each other. One domain exploring the use of such technologies is healthcare were new medical applications are being designed to optimize and deliver better healthcare services [4].…”

“…Once they connect to the network, they can immediately offer and use services provided by other devices within their locale. Based on the flexibility Bluetooth provides it has been implemented in a number of different systems, i.e., hands free, game controllers, biofeedback and neurology (NeXUS-10) [2], and gait analysis systems (XSens) [3], to name a few.…”

“…For this reason, it is generally regarded as less viable long-term wireless solution by many medical device manufacturers. The 802.15.4 (ZigBee) specification is considered a possible alternative [5]. Like Bluetooth, ZigBee devices offer their services in an ad hoc fashion by continually broadcasting small packets of data about their presence.…”

“…In terms of performance it fairs much better than Bluetooth were Zig-Bee takes roughly 15 milliseconds to wake from sleep mode and send a packet of data whilst Bluetooth under the same test conditions can take roughly 3 seconds. This allows ZigBee devices to sleep often and thus conserve power [6][7][8]. One negative aspect of ZigBee is that it has deliberately reduced data rates, designed to help conserve energy.…”