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neurofeedback training for two dimensions of attention: concentration and alertness

U.S. Army's Center for Enhanced Performance. Largest Performance Enhancement Center in 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 Performance Center at Hillenbrand IndustriesCombines athletic and academic training missions.

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neurofeedback training for two dimensions of attention: concentration and alertness

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    1. Neurofeedback Training for Two Dimensions of Attention: Concentration and Alertness Jonathan Cowan, Ph.D., BCIACEEG NeuroTek, LLC Peak Achievement Training

    2. U.S. Armys Center for Enhanced Performance Largest Performance Enhancement Center in 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 Performance Center at Hillenbrand Industries Combines athletic and academic training missions

    3. Dr. Csokas Assessment In todays military, learning the cognitive skills is not enough. One must also learn the optimal sequence of concentration, alertness and relaxation for each activity. At no time has the demand for improved attention been greater than in todays Army with its high tech weapons and the extensive use of advanced information technology. The demand for attention has grown exponentially while our basic attention skills lag far behind.

    4. Dr. Csoka on Attention Training We still basically learn attention as a by-product of the education and skills training we receive. To be sure, many enhancements have been made in the Armys training programs. But still today, none directly target the attention network in the brain. Attention control training with the Peak Achievement Trainer does exactly that.

    5. Brainwave Biofeedback Helps People 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 as Neurofeedback or EEG Biofeedback. The Peak Achievement Trainer uses much more accurate Neurofeedback to detect and improve concentration and relaxation. It is easier to understand and faster to finish.

    6. Dr. Lubars Research on Neurofeedback 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.

    7. The Peak Achievement Trainer Senses Your Degree of Concentration and/or Interest It detects the brainwaves from the Executive Attention Network and converts them to a measure of single pointed 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.

    8. Peak Achievement Training Applies Air Force and NASA Research Showing a Concentration and Relaxation Cycle Dr. Barry Stermans EEG studies of Air Force pilots in B2 simulators: As they focussed on a particular aviation task, the alpha brainwave decreased. 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.

    9. Individual Differences in the Concentration and Relaxation Cycle Predicted Pilot Performance Very Accurately The better pilots in a B2 instructor selection process suppressed parietal alpha more completely. The better pilots needed a shorter alpha period or microbreak before starting to focus again. This was the best selection index for B2 bomber pilot instructors. Correlated above 0.6 with Air Force overall performance indicator. No other measure > 0.4. Picked same top 6 pilots from a group of 18.

    10. Peak Achievement Training is Based on 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 taking a brief rest. Even the best trained brain cannot concentrate forever. Consistent, intense concentration has its costs in stress, emotional tension, and disease. Teaches relaxation through breathing instructions on an audiotape and then integrates it into training for the cycle.

    11. Concentration vs. Alertness/Arousal Concentration: The degree of Single-pointed focus 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 Reticular Activating System by many studies. Enhances emotion. Quick burnout if not conserved.

    12. The Peak Achievement Trainer Measures The (inverse) Concentration measure decreases as you focus during reading and increases as you turn a page. The Alertness measure increases with greater arousal and effort. Video and audio feedback are provided.

    13. Measures are Responsive in Real-Time to Sequences of Concentration and Alertness Before he reads, this Scholars Edge instructor: Reviews the scheme he has excerpted, rapidly shifting between narrower and broader focus. Focuses on points of interest. Asks himself to set an intent for reading. Sets and memorizes his strategy for reading.

    14. Types of Training for the Cognitive Athlete I Strengthening the ability of the Executive Attention Network to focus attention. Strengthening the ability of the midbrain 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.

    15. Types of Training for the Cognitive Athlete II Find the best possible degree of alertness/arousal to perform particular activities optimally. Perform arbitrary sequences of concentration, alertness, and microbreaks. Discover and enhance performance of the sequences that are optimal for particular activities. Perform these sequences despite distractions such as self-talk and crowd noise.

    16. Attention Control Progress:Focused Concentration

    17. The Hillenbrand Peak Performance Center Training attention control begins the entire process of developing peak performance, in the military and elsewhere. The Peak Achievement Trainer provides an excellent tool for developing enhanced skills in focus and concentration. We have been working with business executives at a Fortune 1000 company on their attention skills as part of a broader peak performance training program that is an integral component of their leadership development program...

    18. Measurable Improvements from Peak Achievement Training We have been able to demonstrate measurable improvements in their ability to attend in crucial meetings, engage in critical performance appraisals with employees, and deliver exceptional presentations. The Peak Achievement Trainer provides the critical feedback during attention control training needed to develop this skill to a level equal to what elite athletes have been able to achieve. Col. (RET.) Louis Csoka, Ph.D.

    19. Military Uses Proposed by Our DARPA 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 the interest of the student from moment to moment. The DARPA Student State Project.

    20. Information About the Students Focus and Alertness Can be Gathered and Displayed During Simulation or CBT Learning and maintaining the optimal sequence of 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 the optimal state. Warning signals can be provided as flashing text or interruptions. Followed by a dynamically generated review.

    21. The Training Database Can Record EEG 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 with an event and also using them to modify the subsequent presentation by a computer or simulator.

    22. Our Project Proposal Also Includes 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 of further validation studies for our ConAlert measures and new, more powerful ones under development. If you are interested in exploring the possibilities for collaboration, please contact me here or by email at jon@peakachievement.com. Please take a handout with contact info. Demos in Room 217.

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