Exploratory study of EEG signal patterns of blind and normal-sight people in a learning environment

• Published in: International journal on interactive design and manufacturing Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 583 - 596
• Main Authors: Rodriguez Lopez, Eduardo Emmanuel, Alvarez Rodríguez, Francisco Javier, Amador Rodríguez, Karla Yuritzi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Springer Paris 01.06.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence; Blindness; Brain research; CAE) and Design; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Data mining; Decision analysis; Decision trees; Disability; Electrodes; Electroencephalography; Electronics and Microelectronics; Engineering; Engineering Design; Entropy; Inclusive education; Industrial Design; Instrumentation; Learning; Mechanical Engineering; Meditation; Memory; Neurosciences; Original Paper; People with disabilities; School environment; Students; Visual impairment; Visual perception; Learning; Blind people; Normal-sight people; EEG; Attention
• ISSN: 1955-2513; 1955-2505
• DOI: 10.1007/s12008-022-00847-8

The EEG has allowed a great advance in development of neurosciences and clinical field, but it has also had a great impact in other areas such as technology or education. There are several studies focused on detecting attention, but few of them are aimed at people with blindness. Thus, in the present research, an exploratory method is proposed for detection of similarities and differences of EEG signals of 5 blind and 10 normal-sight people in a learning environment based on interaction (watching or listening) with popular science videos. Regarding analysis, Information Gain was applied, this technique for decision trees can be defined as the amount of information enhanced in the nodes before splitting them for making subsequent decisions. Therefore, although there was not performed the construction of a decision tree, the incidence of the main EEG signals (Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta and Gamma) in the attention levels of the participants for this specific environment can be identified. Finally, the results show that the average levels of attention for both groups are around 50%, and the most influential waves were Delta, Theta and Alpha. It should be noted that this study is an initial analysis and is not intended to be conclusive, as a larger number of participants is needed, as well as the application of more in-depth processing methods.