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FractalBrain: A Neuro-interactive Virtual Reality Experience using Electroencephalogram (EEG) for Mindfulness

Jamie Ngoc Dinh, You-Jin Kim, Myungin Lee

TL;DR

This work addresses the challenge of sustaining mindfulness practice by integrating EEG with a surreal, fractal VR environment. The FractalBrain system maps real-time EEG-derived metrics to evolving fractal visuals and audio using a Unity-based platform, a 14-channel EEG headset, and OSC communication, enabling personalized neuro-adaptive experiences. The primary contributions include a fully implemented visual rendering pipeline based on Mandelbulb fractals, an adaptive audio synthesis stream, and a demonstration procedure plus pilot feedback indicating enhanced attention and mindfulness potential. The findings suggest that neuro-interactive fractal VR can facilitate mindfulness, with future work aimed at more rigorous quantitative studies using higher-resolution EEG and broader participant samples to solidify practical impact.

Abstract

Mindfulness has been studied and practiced in enhancing psychological well-being while reducing neuroticism and psychopathological indicators. However, practicing mindfulness with continuous attention is challenging, especially for beginners. In the proposed system, FractalBrain, we utilize an interactive audiovisual fractal with a geometric repetitive pattern that has been demonstrated to induce meditative effects. FractalBrain presents an experience combining a surreal virtual reality (VR) program with an electroencephalogram (EEG) interface. While viewing an ever-changing fractal-inspired artwork in an immersive environment, the user's EEG stream is analyzed and mapped into VR. These EEG data adaptively manipulates the audiovisual parameters in real-time, generating a distinct experience for each user. The pilot feedback suggests the potential of the FractalBrain to facilitate mindfulness and enhance attention.

FractalBrain: A Neuro-interactive Virtual Reality Experience using Electroencephalogram (EEG) for Mindfulness

TL;DR

This work addresses the challenge of sustaining mindfulness practice by integrating EEG with a surreal, fractal VR environment. The FractalBrain system maps real-time EEG-derived metrics to evolving fractal visuals and audio using a Unity-based platform, a 14-channel EEG headset, and OSC communication, enabling personalized neuro-adaptive experiences. The primary contributions include a fully implemented visual rendering pipeline based on Mandelbulb fractals, an adaptive audio synthesis stream, and a demonstration procedure plus pilot feedback indicating enhanced attention and mindfulness potential. The findings suggest that neuro-interactive fractal VR can facilitate mindfulness, with future work aimed at more rigorous quantitative studies using higher-resolution EEG and broader participant samples to solidify practical impact.

Abstract

Mindfulness has been studied and practiced in enhancing psychological well-being while reducing neuroticism and psychopathological indicators. However, practicing mindfulness with continuous attention is challenging, especially for beginners. In the proposed system, FractalBrain, we utilize an interactive audiovisual fractal with a geometric repetitive pattern that has been demonstrated to induce meditative effects. FractalBrain presents an experience combining a surreal virtual reality (VR) program with an electroencephalogram (EEG) interface. While viewing an ever-changing fractal-inspired artwork in an immersive environment, the user's EEG stream is analyzed and mapped into VR. These EEG data adaptively manipulates the audiovisual parameters in real-time, generating a distinct experience for each user. The pilot feedback suggests the potential of the FractalBrain to facilitate mindfulness and enhance attention.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 9 sections, 2 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. VR and EEG
  3. Fractal
  4. The neuro-interactive System Design
  5. Visual Rendering
  6. Audio Synthesis
  7. Demonstration Procedure
  8. Pilot study and future work
  9. Conclusion

Figures (2)

  • Figure 1: Schematic of the FractalBrain (left) and the demonstration (right). (a) Emotiv EEG headset. (b) Meta Quest 2 VR headset. (c) Display mirroring user's view from the VR headset.
  • Figure 2: Exemplary visual instances with various fractal parameters (up) and audio spectrogram of FractalBrain's phrase: unfolding and folding structure over time (down).