EMDR device design and determination of optimum operation parameters with signal processing techniques

In this research, the determination of optimal parameters of Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) technique has been studied. EMDR is one of the treatment modalities applied by psychologists and psychiatrists during the treatment of patients with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). During the application of the EMDR technique, an active auxiliary therapy device has been developed instead of the passive EMDR technique, which will facilitate the application of the specialist. Studies in the literature on the effects of these devices on patients are not sufficient, although the therapeutic treatment devices have been developed. In this study, an active EMDR device was developed to assist in the treatment of EMDR and its effect on the subjects was determined by signal processing methods. First, the attention and meditation levels are measured to determine the effectiveness of the active EMDR device. In order to determine the response of the person to different stimulus groups, 10 measurements were taken at different time intervals. As a result, it has been observed that the active EMDR device can be modified to control the focus and meditation status with different stimulus groups applied. After the device realization phase, a graphical user interface (GUI) for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is prepared by Matlab program. In order to determine the effectiveness of the system and the optimum parameters of the audiovisual parameters, focus and meditation data were obtained from Neurosky device from 10 different volunteers. Obtained findings show that visual stimuli change the focus and meditation of individuals who are motivated to move. As a result of this process, different stimulus groups applied in the active EMDR method can be used to control the focus and meditation status. At the last stage of the work, the mobile application was developed in accordance with the optimum parameters. Using the 14-channel Emotiv EPOC EEG title with the mobile application, EEG measurements were recorded from 14 different points placed on the skull. Signaling techniques on recorded measurements were used to investigate the effects of different types of stimuli on brain waves. The effect of stimuli on the left and right hemispheres of the brain is shown in the graphs. The difference between the study and the studies in the literature is that the effect of the different types of stimuli used in the EMDR technique on the brain waves was determined by quantitative data. The results show that psychologists and psychiatrists can lead their patients in a controlled way during the treatment process.