In Search of Lost Attention: A BCI-Based Therapeutical Safari Tour in VR

Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is a condition that occurs after brain damage, commonly following a stroke, where individuals fail to acknowledge or respond to stimuli presented on one side of their body. Current clinical assessment and rehabilitation methods often fall short due to inadequacy with real-life situations, inconsistent effectiveness, and difficulty in obtaining patient commitment. Recent advancements in neuro-technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and brain computer interfaces (BCIs) offer promising avenues to address these limitations. The objective of this work is to explore how the integration of VR and BCI based on visually evoked potentials (VEP-BCI) can enhance the cognitive rehabilitation of USN patients. The proposed method involves immersing patients in a VR serious game that simulates a photo safari while recording their brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG). Patients are required to detect flickering animals in the virtual environment, and photographs are taken only when the BCI identifies their attention to the target. This approach has several potential benefits, including holistic rehabilitation through combined bottom-up (flickering stimuli) and top-down (goal-directed behaviors) attention stimulation. VR allows for precise control over visual stimuli and enhances the realism of rehabilitation tasks. BCI enables real-time monitoring of attention levels and provides feedback for self-guided training. The VR system's portability makes it suitable for home use without continuous supervision, potentially improving therapy adherence and long-term outcomes. The immersive and enjoyable nature of the VR serious game aims to consistently engage patients, which is crucial for sustained rehabilitation progress.