Direct Brain-to-Game Interface Worries Scientists
From: Wired News - 09/05/2007
By: Emmet Cole

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are being tested as virtual controllers for
video games, but scientists are concerned that the games may end up
controlling the user. For example, sometimes the devices force users to slow
down their brain waves, often leaving the user unable to focus. "Imagine that
somebody uses a game with slow brain-wave activity and then drives a car
while still in that state," says Niels Birbaumer, a leading independent
research in medical applications of BCIs. "You could have an accident. I
think it's a rare possibility, but it should be tested before people do
this." Although the technology has been successfully tested with
quadriplegics, scientists worry that its use for casual entertainment could
cause gamers to experience the effects of neurofeedback, a technique that
heightens awareness and control of brain waves by providing real-time graphic
representation of the user's brain wave activity similar to how physiological
information can be used to control a patient's blood pressure, skin
temperature, and heart rate in a process known as biofeedback. For example,
Smart BrainGames has developed a racing game that requires users to be calm
to reach optimum speed, but the game is intended only for medical purposes
and the FDA has approved the device only for relaxation and "muscle
re-education." "From a clinical perspective, we are super concerned about any
use of this technology that's being touted as a toy or as entertainment,"
says Smart BrainGames co-founder Lindsay Greco. Michelle Hinn, chair of the
International Game Developers Association's Game Accessibility Special
Interest Group, says BCI games are great for people with disabilities, but
they may not be appropriate for the general public. 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2007/09/bci_games

Links:
Niels Birbaumer
http://www.mp.uni-tuebingen.de/mp/index.php?id=62
http://www.neuroscience-tuebingen.de/research-groups/display.php?type=Department&id=37&search=dep_list

Smart BrainGames
http://www.smartbraingames.com/
http://www.hp-add.com/braingames.html

Attention deficit disorder? Try video games
http://news.com.com/Attention+deficit+disorder+Try+video+games/2100-1043_3-5940181.html

ADHD patients play video games as part of treatment
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-03-09-game-therapy_x.htm

Lindsay Greco
http://www.smartbraingames.com/About%20Us.asp

Michelle Hinn
http://www.igda.org/wiki/Michelle_Hinn

Game Accessibility SIG
http://www.igda.org/wiki/Game_Accessibility_SIG