Study of the effectiveness of training using the “NeuroChat” brain–computer interface at a later age

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This article examines the effectiveness of training using the increasingly popular braincomputer interface NeuroChat on a sample of older people.
 AIM: The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness and characteristics of training using the NeuroChat device.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 41 patients 6 men and 35 women aged 55 to 89 years with various comorbid conditions, undergoing planned treatment at the Russian Gerontology Research and Clinical Centre of the N.I. Pirogov Russian national research medical University. As research methods, a set of diagnostic tests was used: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-test), Bourdons test (correction test), 10-word auditory-speech memory test, visual memory test, thinking test 4-th superfluous (4 subtests were used), The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale (HADS), as well as the neurotraining using the NeuroChat braincomputer interface.
 RESULTS: By comparing the control test data with the test data conducted at the beginning of the study, the following results were obtained. Significant changes were found between groups in the 10-word memory test. It is also possible to note an improvement in the indicator of cognitive functioning in general (MoCA screening test), however, this indicator significantly improved in the control group. There was no correlation between the effectiveness of neurotraining with the use of the NeuroChat device and the number of sessions conducted. Changes in the psycho-emotional component of the life of the subjects were not found.
 CONCLUSION: The use of trainings using the NeuroChat device has a positive effect on the cognitive characteristics of older people without affecting the psycho-emotional sphere. The improvement in the characteristics of the cognitive sphere is confirmed by the results of diagnostic tests and occurs after the first use of the NeuroChat braincomputer interface. The authors consider it necessary to study the relationship between training using the NeuroChat device and improving the cognitive characteristics of people of different age groups, especially the improvement of auditory-speech memory.