Utvärdering av en befintlig plattform för neurofeedback med hjälp av open-source EEG

Sammanfattning: Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback in which subjects learn to use the activity of their own electrical brain waves to respond to a visual or auditory feedback from the activity of the brain. This is done by connecting electrodes to the body to get the brain's electrical activity in the form of encephalogram signals (EEG) which are then calculated and converted into useful feedback.The purpose of this work was to evaluate a neurofeedback platform via an OpenBCI open-source EEG technology that could lead to more accessible neurofeedback for society.This study was conducted with different methods where the focus was on testing and data analysis. The study has included a summary of theory used in neurofeedback, a comprehensive pilot study on an 8-channel open-source EEG neurofeedback platform and some of the ethical aspects behind the technology used and neurofeedback in Sweden. During the work, two different experts were interviewed: Gunilla Radu, founder and owner of Nordic Center of Neurofeedback AB and Jan Rutkowski, who is an engineer in medical engineering at the Uppsala Hospital.The tests with 8-channel EEG with an OpenBCI hardware and software show results from three subjects. The answers from a follow-up survey that subjects were allowed to answer are presented in the report. This was used as an evaluation of the tests performed. The aim of the tests was to give Biohackeri an opportunity to see the potential for a neurofeedback platform and to create a basis for further development of such a platform. The result indicates that a measurement of the brain activity at rest with the technology from OpenBCI shows a higher concentration level in the human body with open eyes compared to closed eyes. In addition, a higher level of relaxation is noticed when resting with eyes closed compared to eyes open. Answers from the survey show that what is important to the test subjects is, among other things, the convenience while testing the technology. In terms of requirements and rules that Neurofeedback therapists must meet, it turned out that in Sweden therapists do not need to have a specific background or education. There are ethical perspectives that Neurofeedback therapists may consider in implementing Neurofeedback Therapy.The conclusion of this project is that the tested 8-channel EEG equipment gives a result that agrees with the presented theory. Thus, a Neurofeedback platform could be built on the commercially available open-source technology, such as the technology from OpenBCI.