Brain computer interface based pain management therapy
Systems, devices and methods are provided for conducting a pain management therapy session, which includes performing a BCI training session utilizing feedback to train a subject to generate defined brain signals to assist the subject in managing and/or relieving pain, and applying a stimulus to the subject, in connection with the BCI training session, at a location that is near the source of pain and/or within the nervous system pain pathway to the source of pain.
1. A method of conducting a pain management therapy session, comprising:
applying, to a subject and at a location that is near to a source of pain and/or within a nervous system pain pathway to the source of pain, a single stimulation device, wherein the stimulation device is in signal communication with a brain computer interface (“BCI”) control system;
using a brain signal acquisition system with skin surface electrodes to continuously acquire brain signals from the subject's brain;
transmitting the brain signals to the BCI control system;
evaluating, by the BCI control system, the brain signals in comparison to an alpha brain rhythm;
applying, by the stimulation device and as a neurofeedback response to an evaluation of the brain signals in comparison to the alpha brain rhythm, a single stimulus to the subject at the location that is near to the source of pain and/or within the nervous system pain pathway to the source of pain; and
receiving results of a decrease in power of alpha rhythm brain waves produced by the subject.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the single stimulus applied to subject by the stimulation device comprises a proprioceptive stimulus.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the single stimulus applied to the subject by the stimulation device is generated by a vibration generating element of the stimulation device.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the vibration generating element is a wearable vibration generating element.
5. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
training the subject before conducting the pain management therapy session to obtain the alpha brain rhythm of the subject.
6. The method of claim 1 , comprising determining suitability of the subject for pain management therapy before conducting the pain management therapy session with the subject.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein determining suitability comprises performing a decorrelation test on the subject.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the single stimulus is used to train the subject to manage pain.
9. A system for conducting a pain management therapy session, comprising:
a brain signal acquisition system for continuously acquiring brain signals from a a subject's brain;
a single stimulation device configured and adapted to be applied to the subject at a single location within a pain pathway of a source of pain; and
a brain computer interface (“BCI”) control/processing module programmed to:
receive the brain signals;
evaluate the brain signals in comparison to an alpha brain rhythm;
in response to the evaluation of the brain signals in comparison to the alpha brain rhythm, cause an activation of the stimulation device to generate a single stimulus to train the subject; and
receive results of a decrease in power of alpha rhythm brain waves produced by the subject.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the stimulation device is configured to activate in response to neurofeedback of the subject.