FractalBrain
A Neuro-interactive Virtual Reality Experience using Electroencephalogram (EEG) for Mindfulness.
Jamie Ngoc Dinh, You-Jin Kim, and Myungin Lee. 2024. FractalBrain: A Neuro-interactive Virtual Reality Experience using Electroencephalogram (EEG) for Mindfulness. In Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA ’24). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 406, 1–4.
Mindfulness has been studied and practiced in enhancing psychological well-being while reducing neuroticism and psychopathological indicators. However, practicing mindfulness with continuous attention is challenging, especially for beginners. In the proposed system, FractalBrain, we utilize an interactive audiovisual fractal with a geometric repetitive pattern that has been demonstrated to induce meditative effects. FractalBrain presents an experience combining a surreal virtual reality (VR) program with an electroencephalogram (EEG) interface. While viewing an ever-changing fractal-inspired artwork in an immersive environment, the user’s EEG stream is analyzed and mapped into VR. These EEG data adaptively manipulates the audiovisual parameters in real-time, generating a distinct experience for each user. The pilot feedback suggests the potential of the FractalBrain to facilitate mindfulness and enhance attention.
This work was presented publicly at the 2024 ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in Hawai‘i, USA.