Design and Development of Cognitive Training Systems Based on Extended Reality and BCI Technology

Dementia is considered a Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), representing a blurred transition from normal cognitive function to dementia. MCI might be a precursor to dementia being caused by various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, metabolic disorders, and mental health conditions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 55 million people worldwide are suffering from dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases each year. This number is expected to rise to 78 million by 2030. Numerous studies have proposed various training methods targeting specific cognitive domains in dementia. For instance, reminiscence therapy encourages individuals to recall buried memories, while reality orientation therapy focuses on strengthening orientation cues to help patients with dementia establish a stronger sense of control. With aging, changes occur in cognitive and physical functions. Research suggests that memory functions can be improved through training. Therefore, the primary goal of this study was to develop an Extended Reality (XR) cognitive system to assist MCI patients in enhancing logical thinking, increasing independence in daily life, and improving response accuracy. The application of extended reality technology in the medical field is expanding, covering areas such as surgical assistance, medical consultation, disease treatment, and medical training. We integrated mixed reality devices with brain-computer interface (BCI) equipment. By detecting brainwave signals in the frontal region of the brain through sensors, neural activity was quantified, and digital brainwave data was transmitted to the system. This data was then visualized on screen in real-time to analyze changes in brainwave data during training. Through multifaceted task training, the system enhanced cognitive response and sensory perception, stimulating brain activity with the goal of strengthening cognitive functions.