Desenvolvimento e validação de teste de memória e aprendizagem baseado em interface cérebro-computador em versão digital

Abstract

The reason for the growth of the elderly population was the improvement in quality of life and the increase in public health policies that contributed to more preventive care, thus prolonging life expectancy. The health of this group requires special attention, especially for those who experience a significant decline in daily life functions up to the point of total loss of autonomy. Therefore, the general objective of the study was to construct a computerized cognitive test, using a system and a brain-computer interface (ICC), to enable the assessment of episodic memory and learning in the elderly. This is a methodological study with the development of an interface called Digital Memory and Learning Test via ICC (TMAD-ICC), followed by an experimental approach, with the validation phase of this interface, carried out with a quantitative method based on comparison with another test already established in the literature (the RAVLT, Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test). The sample consisted of 18 elderly people (N=18). The collection took place on the premises of the Geriatrics Service of the Unichristus School Clinic. The tests took place in two moments, in Visit I, the 7 elderly people in Group 1 performed the standard procedures and used the TMADICC system, while the 11 elderly people in Group 1 Group 2 underwent standard procedures and underwent the traditional application of the RAVLT test. After an interval of at least 14 days, Visit II took place, which consisted of the opposite: Group 1 performed the traditional test and Group II used the Digital Memory and Learning Test – ICC. The main result of the research was the presence of a positive and statistically significant relationship between activity measured by TMAD-ICC and cognitive performance assessed by RAVLT, in addition to indicating that higher levels of initial THETA activity are associated with lower test scores and that higher initial GAMMA activity is associated with higher test scores. It is concluded that the TMAD-ICC encourages investigation for future research as it has the versatility to modify the audience, age group, and also extends the evaluation to participants with a history of neurodegenerative diseases. This implies the possibility of investigative rearrangements that make neuroeducation closer every day to bringing accuracy to the processes of learning and memory decline. After applying the NPS test, there was good acceptance among the elderly.