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Neurofeedback Training forTwo Dimensions of Attention:Concentration and Alertness

Jonathan Cowan, Ph.D., BCIACEEG

NeuroTek, LLC

Peak Achievement Training

IMTA, 2003

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U.S. ArmysCenter for Enhanced Performance

Largest Performance Enhancement Centerin the U.S.

Part of the U.S. Military Academy at West

Point. Founded by Col. (RET) Louis Csoka, Ph.D. in

1989.

Built it for five years before retiring.

Created a similar Peak PerformanceCenter at Hillenbrand Industries

Combines athletic and academic training

missions

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Dr. Csokas Assessment

In todays military, learning the cognitive skillsis not enough. One must also learn theoptimal sequence of concentration, alertnessand relaxation for each activity. At no time

has the demand for improved attentionbeen greater than in todays Army withits high tech weapons and the extensive

use of advanced information technology.The demand for attention has grownexponentially while our basic attentionskills lag far behind.

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Dr. Csoka on Attention Training

We still basically learn attention as a by-product of the education and skillstraining we receive. To be sure, many

enhancements have been made in theArmys training programs. But still today,none directly target the attention

network in the brain. Attention controltraining with the Peak AchievementTrainer does exactly that.

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Brainwave Biofeedback HelpsPeople Overcome Attention

and Emotional Problems Biofeedback trains people to better regulate

their brains and bodies by telling them what

is happening there more understandably.

Brainwave biofeedback is also known asNeurofeedback or EEG Biofeedback.

The Peak Achievement Trainer uses muchmore accurate Neurofeedback to detect andimprove concentration and relaxation.

It is easier to understand and faster to finish.

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Dr. Lubars Research onNeurofeedback in Children with

AD/HD at the University of Tennessee 80% effective in more than 1000 children.

Average increase in grade level on standardized

tests is 2.5 years. Typical increase in IQ test scores of 8-19 points

Average Grade Point Average improves 1.5

levels (C to B+). 60% decrease or eliminate medication.

Major improvements in behavior.

Monastras study showed permanent gains.

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The Peak Achievement TrainerSenses Your Degree of

Concentration and/or Interest It detects the brainwaves from the

Executive Attention Network and

converts them to a measure of singlepointed focus and interest.

It then converts the measure to audio

and video outputs. You can use these outputs to learn how

to control your concentration.

You can improve through practice.

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Peak Achievement Training AppliesAir Force and NASA Research

Showing a Concentration andRelaxation Cycle

Dr. Barry Stermans EEG studies of Air Force

pilots in B2 simulators: As they focussed on aparticular aviation task, the alpha brainwavedecreased.

There was an alpha burst as focus ended, and

then suppression as the next task began.

We call this the microbreak.

The more difficult the task, the greater the

alpha suppression.

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Individual Differences in theConcentration and Relaxation

Cycle Predicted PilotPerformance Very Accurately The better pilots in a B2 instructor selection

process suppressed parietal alpha more

completely.

The better pilots needed a shorter alpha periodor microbreak before starting to focus again.

This was the best selection index for B2bomber pilot instructors.

Correlated above 0.6 with Air Force overallperformance indicator. No other measure > 0.4.

Picked same top 6 pilots from a group of 18.

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Peak Achievement Training is Basedon the Concentration and Relaxation

Cycle in Everyday Experience The healthy individual cycles between

concentration and relaxation by focusing on(part of) a task until it is done, and then takinga brief rest.

Even the best trained brain cannot concentrateforever.

Consistent, intense concentration has its costsin stress, emotional tension, and disease.

Teaches relaxation through breathinginstructions on an audiotape and then

integrates it into training for the cycle.

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Concentration vs. Alertness/Arousal

Concentration: The degree of Single-pointedfocus on a perception, thought, or image.

Zooming in.

Can be relaxed, very alert, or in-between.

The Zone. Alertness/Arousal: More intense stimulation,

on the edge, excitement.

Summoning resources to respond.

Related to stimulation of the ReticularActivating System by many studies.

Enhances emotion.

Quick burnout if not conserved.

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The Peak AchievementTrainer Measures

The (inverse)Concentration measuredecreases as you focus

during reading andincreases as you turn apage.

The Alertness measure

increases with greaterarousal and effort.

Video and audio

feedback are provided.

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Measures are Responsive in Real-Time toSequences of Concentration and Alertness

Before he reads, thisScholars Edge instructor:

Reviews the scheme he hasexcerpted, rapidly shifting

between narrower andbroader focus.

Focuses on points of

interest. Asks himself to set anintent for reading.

Sets and memorizes his

strategy for reading.

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Types of Training for theCognitive Athlete I

Strengthening the ability of theExecutive Attention Network to focusattention.

Strengthening the ability of themidbrain to intensify alertness/arousal.

Focusing attention on parts of the body

that the coach wishes to work with. Train the user to take brief, relaxing

microbreaks which recharge the brain.

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Types of Training for theCognitive Athlete II

Find the best possible degree ofalertness/arousal to perform particularactivities optimally.

Perform arbitrary sequences ofconcentration, alertness, and microbreaks.

Discover and enhance performance of thesequences that are optimal for particularactivities.

Perform these sequences despitedistractions such as self-talk and crowd

noise.

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Attention Control Progress:Focused Concentration

19

65

44

128

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1st Trial

Best TrialRange:18-180

sec

Range:

10-40 sec

Range:25-65

sec

Range:

48-220

sec

Length of Concentration Runs

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The Hillenbrand PeakPerformance Center

Training attention control begins the entireprocess of developing peak performance, in themilitary and elsewhere. The Peak Achievement

Trainer provides an excellent tool for developingenhanced skills in focus and concentration. Wehave been working with business executives at aFortune 1000 company on their attention skills

as part of a broader peak performance trainingprogram that is an integral component of theirleadership development program...

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Measurable Improvements fromPeak Achievement Training

We have been able to demonstrate measurableimprovements in their ability to attend incrucial meetings, engage in criticalperformance appraisals with employees, anddeliver exceptional presentations. The Peak

Achievement Trainer provides the critical

feedback during attention control trainingneeded to develop this skill to a level equal towhat elite athletes have been able to achieve.

Col. (RET.) Louis Csoka, Ph.D.

Milit U P d b O

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Military Uses Proposed by OurDARPA Project

Mental exercise trainer. Enhance the users capacity for concentration

and alertness.

Help recruits with attention problems.

Decrease fatigue. Enhance memory and new learning.

Improve personnel selection.

Workload monitoring.

Add a new dimension to simulation and computer-based training.

Improve the design of CBT by measuring theinterest of the student from moment to moment.

The DARPA Student State Project.

f i b h S d d

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Information About the Students Focus andAlertness Can be Gathered and Displayed

During Simulation or CBT

Learning and maintaining the optimal sequenceof states is an important goal.

A semi-transparent overlay can be placed in the

lower right corner of the screen.

Displays can show both instantaneous and time-averaged Concentration and Alertness.

Audio feedback can steer the user back to theoptimal state.

Warning signals can be provided as flashing textor interruptions.

Followed by a dynamically generated review.

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The Training Database Can RecordEEG Responses to Many Different

Types of Events Comparison with a library of experts

performances can help us to understand the

optimal sequences for each task. Our patent #5,983,129 covers analyzing

these brainwave signals in association withan event and also using them to modify thesubsequent presentation by a computer orsimulator.

O P j t P l Al

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Our Project Proposal AlsoIncludes Improved Equipment

and Validation Studies Our collaborators have developed a new system

small enough to fit completely on a golf visor.

It will soon be wirelessly connected to the PC.

We have planned a very sophisticated series offurther validation studies for our ConAlertmeasures and new, more powerful ones underdevelopment.

If you are interested in exploring the possibilitiesfor collaboration, please contact me here or byemail atjon@peakachievement.com.

Please take a handout with contact info.

Demos in Room 217.

mailto:jon@peakachievement.commailto:jon@peakachievement.com