scholarly journals Effects of Changes to Architectural Elements on Human Relaxation-Arousal Responses: Based on VR and EEG

Author(s):  
Sanghee Kim ◽  
Hyejin Park ◽  
Seungyeon Choo

This study combines electroencephalogram (EEG) with virtual reality (VR) technologies to measure the EEG responses of users experiencing changes to architectural elements. We analyze the ratio of alpha to beta waves (RAB) indicators to determine the pre- and poststimulation changes. In our methodology, thirty-three females experience using private rooms in a postpartum care center participated in the experiment. Their brain waves are measured while they are experiencing the VR space of a private room in a postpartum care center. Three architectural elements (i.e., aspect ratio of space, ceiling height, and window ratio) are varied in the VR space. In addition, a self-report questionnaire is administered to examine whether the responses are consistent with the results of the EEG response analysis. As a result, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) are observed in the changes in the RAB indicator values of the pre- and poststimulation EEG while the subjects are experiencing the VR space where the architectural elements are varied. That is, the effects of the changes to architectural elements on users’ relaxation-arousal responses are statistically verified. Notably, in all the RAB indicator values where significant differences are observed, the poststimulation RAB decreases in comparison to the prestimulus ratios, which is indicative of the arousal response. However, the arousal levels vary across the architectural elements, which implies it would be possible to find out the elements that could induce less arousal response using the proposed method. Moreover, following the experience in the VR space, certain lobes of the brain (F4 and P3 EEG channels) show statistically significant differences in the relaxation-arousal responses. Unlike previous studies, which measured users’ physiological responses to abstract and primordial spatial elements, this study extends the boundaries of the literature by applying the architectural elements applicable to design in practice.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Najmeh Pakniyat ◽  
Mohammad Hossein Babini ◽  
Vladimir V. Kulish ◽  
Hamidreza Namazi

BACKGROUND: Analysis of the heart activity is one of the important areas of research in biomedical science and engineering. For this purpose, scientists analyze the activity of the heart in various conditions. Since the brain controls the heart’s activity, a relationship should exist among their activities. OBJECTIVE: In this research, for the first time the coupling between heart and brain activities was analyzed by information-based analysis. METHODS: Considering Shannon entropy as the indicator of the information of a system, we recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals of 13 participants (7 M, 6 F, 18–22 years old) in different external stimulations (using pineapple, banana, vanilla, and lemon flavors as olfactory stimuli) and evaluated how the information of EEG signals and R-R time series (as heart rate variability (HRV)) are linked. RESULTS: The results indicate that the changes in the information of the R-R time series and EEG signals are strongly correlated (ρ=-0.9566). CONCLUSION: We conclude that heart and brain activities are related.


2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerolf Vanacker ◽  
José del R. Millán ◽  
Eileen Lew ◽  
Pierre W. Ferrez ◽  
Ferran Galán Moles ◽  
...  

Controlling a robotic device by using human brain signals is an interesting and challenging task. The device may be complicated to control and the nonstationary nature of the brain signals provides for a rather unstable input. With the use of intelligent processing algorithms adapted to the task at hand, however, the performance can be increased. This paper introduces a shared control system that helps the subject in driving an intelligent wheelchair with a noninvasive brain interface. The subject's steering intentions are estimated from electroencephalogram (EEG) signals and passed through to the shared control system before being sent to the wheelchair motors. Experimental results show a possibility for significant improvement in the overall driving performance when using the shared control system compared to driving without it. These results have been obtained with 2 healthy subjects during their first day of training with the brain-actuated wheelchair.


1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (3) ◽  
pp. R911-R919 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Fernandes ◽  
P. L. Lutz ◽  
A. Tannenbaum ◽  
A. T. Todorov ◽  
L. Liebovitch ◽  
...  

The anoxia-tolerant turtle brain slowly undergoes a complex sequence of changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) activity as the brain systematically downregulates its energy demands. Following N2 respiration, the root mean square voltage rapidly fell, reaching approximately 20% of normoxic levels after approximately 100 min of anoxia. During the first 20- to 40-min transition period, the power of the EEG decreased substantially, particularly in the 12- to 24-Hz band, with low-amplitude slow wave activity predominating (3-12 Hz). Bursts of high voltage rhythmic slow (approximately 3-8 Hz) waves were seen during the 20- to 100-min period of anoxia, accompanied by large sharp waves. During the next 400 min of N2 respiration, two distinct patterns of electrical activity characterized the anoxic turtle brain: 1) a sustained but depressed activity level, with an EEG amplitude approximately 20% of the normoxic control and with total EEG power reduced by one order of magnitude at all frequencies, and 2) short (3-15 s) periodic (0.5-2/min) bursts of mixed-frequency activity that interrupted the depressed activity state. We speculate that the EEG patterns seen during sustained anoxia represent the minimal or basic electrical activities that are compatible with the survival of the anoxic turtle brain as an integrated unit, which allow the brain to return to normal functioning when air respiration resumed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-161
Author(s):  
Hee-Sun Kim ◽  
Jae Hee Lee ◽  
Jeong Rim Lee ◽  
Ji-Won Eom ◽  
Ja Yeun Koo ◽  
...  

The study aimed to review the current postpartum care service system and suggest measures of improvement for the public reinforcement of the private-postpartum care center (PCC). We conducted a review of literature, including an internet search, and we analyzed the in-depth interviews using questionnaires answered by workers from the 6 private-PCCs operated in Goyang city. Using these data, we derived possible measures which could improve the publicity of private-PCCs. It was found that the 11 nationwide public-PCCs had serious operating deficits, and its utilization by the vulnerable was insufficient. In areas where private-PCCs are concentrated, we can propose the following policies to strengthen publicity, rather than establishing another public-PCC. First, it is important to provide support for private-PCCs to apply cost reductions for vulnerable groups, similar to the maternal and newborn medical care of public-PCCs. Second, publicity would be strengthened by reorganizing the pregnancy and childbirth education program, while also offering additional services for mothers with stillbirths and abortions. For the integrated management of postpartum care services, this should be shifted towards reinforcing the publicity of private-PCCs, rather than operating a public-PCC in relatively concentrated private-PCC areas. Through these policies, it is expected that financial and administrative waste will be reduced, and an integrated management system for postpartum care services will be established.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Caitilin De Berigny ◽  
Freya Zinovieff ◽  
Karen Cochrane ◽  
Youngdong Kim ◽  
Zhepeng Rui

<p>This paper explores interactive applications that encourage mindfulness through sensors and novel input technology. Research in psychology and neuroscience demonstrating the benefits of mindfulness is initiating a new movement in interactive design. As cutting edge technologies become more accessible they are being employed to research and explore the practice of mindfulness. We examine three interactive installation artworks that promote mindfulness. In order to contextualize the interactive artworks discussed we first examine the historical background of the Electroencephalogram (EEG). We then discuss the physiological processes of meditation and the history behind the clinical practice of mindfulness. We show how artists and designers employ EEG sensors, to record the electrical activity of the brain to visualize mindfulness meditation practices. Lastly, we conclude the paper by discussing the future of the three artworks.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-113
Author(s):  
Ameen Omar Barja

One of the most important fields in clinical neurophysiology is an electroencephalogram (EEG). It is a test used to detect problems related to the brain electrical activity, and it can track and records patterns of brain waves. EEG continues to play an essential role in diagnosis and management of patients with epileptic seizure disorders. Nevertheless, the outcome of EEG as a tool for evaluating epileptic seizure is often interpreted as a noise rather than an ordered pattern. The mathematical modelling of EEG signals provides valuable data to neurologists, and is heavily utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. EEG signals during the seizure can be modeled as ordinary differential equation (ODE). In this study we will present an alternative form of ODE of EEG signals through the seizure.


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