Neurocognitive training for traumatic brain injury: cognitive, behavioural, and electrophysiological outcomes.

The Focus Pocus (version 2) neurocognitive training software was developed by NeuroCog Proprietary Limited incorporating intellectual property licensed from UOW. The software consists of a series of wizard-themed, computerised, mini-games targeting inhibitory control (IC), working memory (WM) and state control (SC). During use of the software, participants are required to wear a portable EEG headset; the NeuroSky MindWave. The headset records EEG from a single, dry, sensor resting on the forehead referenced to an ear-clip electrode. During SC games, participants are instructed to ‘focus’, ‘relax’ or induce a state of ‘zen' (i.e. focused and relaxed), and the corresponding EEG pattern is used to control elements of the game (e.g. the speed of the player in a broomstick race). During WM and IC games, EEG is passively monitored and categorised according to attention level during the game, with attention level then used as a multiplier for game points. Game difficulty adapts constantly based on performance to ensure that games are challenging but not too difficult. Participants receive on-screen feedback about performance following each game. In the present study, participants will be required to complete 25 sessions of the neurocognitive training, at a rate of 5 sessions per week. Each training session will consist of 6 SC, 4 WM, and 4 IC games, and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Participants will self-administer the training in their own homes, using their own personal computer or iOS device and a loan headset. Data regarding training compliance and performance will be sent to an online server, so that researchers can monitor progress.