sensors

Article
Comparison between Concentration and Immersion
Based on EEG Analysis
Seokbeen Lim 1 , Mina Yeo 1 and Gilwon Yoon 2, *
1 Department of Electronic Engineering, Graduate School, Seoul National University of Science and
Technology, Seoul 01811, Korea; [email protected] (S.L.); [email protected] (M.Y.)
2 Department of Electronic & IT Media Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology,
232 Gongneung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01811, Korea
* Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +82-2-970-6419




Received: 12 February 2019; Accepted: 5 April 2019; Published: 8 April 2019


Abstract: Concentration and immersion belong to a similar mental state in which a person is
preoccupied with a particular task. In this study, we investigated a possibility of diagnosing two
mental states with a subtle difference. Concentration and immersion states were induced to analyze
the electroencephalography (EEG) changes during these states. Thirty-two college students in their
20s participated in the study. For concentration, subjects were asked to focus on a red dot at the center
of a white screen, and for immersion they were asked to focus on playing a computer game. Relative to
rest, Alpha waves decreased during concentration and immersion. Relative to rest, Theta waves
decreased at almost all channels during concentration and, on the other hand, increased at all channels
during immersion. Beta waves increased during concentration and immersion in the frontal and
occipital lobes, with a higher increase in immersion. In the temporal lobe, Beta waves decreased
during concentration and increased during immersion. In the central region, Beta waves decreased
during concentration and immersion, and the decrease during immersion was larger. Such evident
differences between the EEG results for concentration and immersion can imply diagnostic capabilities
of various other mental states.

Keywords: electroencephalography; mental state; independent component analysis; concentration;

immersion; computer game

1. Introduction
Electroencephalography (EEG) is one of the noninvasive methods for investigating brain activity.
It is safe and easy to perform, and has the advantage that it can measure the change in brain activity in
real time and for personal use [1]. The frequency bands of the EEG signals represent four different brain
activities; the Delta band (0.5–4 Hz) for the state of deep sleep and waking, the Theta band (4–8 Hz) for
the state of consciousness slips, creative inspiration, deep meditation, and arousal. The Alpha band
(8–12 Hz) indicates the state of relaxed awareness without attention, and the Beta band (12–30 Hz)
shows the state of the active thinking, active attention, and solving problems. The Gamma band
(>30 Hz) is sometimes related with brain diseases [2].
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder sub-types in children have been identified using spectral
analysis [3,4]. An important benefit of EEG is that it can be used for human–machine interfaces
because it is cheap and equipment for EEG is easy to manufacture in small sizes [5–7]. Damasevicius
et al. applied EEG for a biometric authentication method where EEG data from 42 subjects were
used, achieving an Equal Error Rate of 0.024 [8]. In sports health, a wearable Internet of Things-based
system has been used to record EEG. In this application, the removal of the movement artifacts
was an important issue [9]. Other area of research has been in analyzing mental states such as rest,

Sensors 2019, 19, 1669; doi:10.3390/s19071669 www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors

Sensors 2019, 19, 1669 2 of 13

concentration and immersion. Most studies distinguish concentration from immersion from a social
science viewpoint through questionnaires.
Concentration and immersion appear to be similar mental states with a state of preoccupation
with a particular object or task. However, there are some differences. Concentration is a state where
information is selectively received, and it is related to the limit of the amount of information that
can be processed at one time [10,11]. On the contrary, immersion causes a person to forget the
surroundings or personal problems while being immersed in a particular object [12]. Jennett et al.
defined cognitive involvement, real-world dissociation, emotional involvement, challenge, and control
as the five elements of immersion and claimed that real-world dissociation is a common feature
of concentration and immersion. However, the phenomenon of real-world dissociation manifests
differently in concentration and immersion, and, as a result, immersion cannot be completely explained
by the theory of concentration [13].
Regarding the changes in EEG results in the concentration and immersion states, Ray et al.
suggested that the concentration state is associated with Alpha waves [14]. Lee noted that attention
levels increased in the frontal lobes of archers before they bowed, which indicated that Beta waves
were dominant relative to Alpha waves [15]. In the study of Rodrak and Wongsawat, the power
ratio (Beta/Alpha) of Beta and Alpha waves was used as an index to determine the concentration
state in a neurofeedback system for patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [5].
Srinivasan et al. suggested that the frontal and parietal cortices are activated during concentration
using EEC and fMRI measurements [16]. Sung et al. and Ga et al. used the sum of sensorimotor
rhythm (SMR) and mid-Beta (Mid-B) waves divided by Theta waves as an EEG index to determine
the concentration state. Here, SMR and Mid-B waves are detailed classifications of Beta waves;
the frequency bands of SMR, Mid-B, and high-Beta waves are 12–14.99 Hz, 15–19.99 Hz, and 20–30 Hz,
respectively [17,18]. Engelke et al. assessed the quality of experience (QoE) through biosignals such as
brain waves. High-level QoE included immersion, and Theta waves, which represented concentration
decline, and Alpha waves, which represented increased relaxation, were used to evaluate QoE [19].
However, the number of subjects was five without meaningful statistical analysis. Myrden et al.
described the Alpha band expressed in the larynx as a predictor of changes in attention levels [20].
In a study by F.J. Perales et al., the changes in EEG results while playing a video game were obtained
for a young patient with cerebral palsy and for a control group. It was reported that the Alpha band
decreased and the Beta band increased in the state of focused attention. The same phenomenon was
observed in patients with cerebral palsy and in a control group, yet the control group had higher
power values [21].
In this study, EEG was performed during rest, concentration, and while playing a computer game
and data were preprocessed for spectrum analysis. For normal subjects, the rest, concentration, and
immersion states were compared by deriving absolute power and an index. In particular, focus was
given on whether concentration and immersion can be distinguished. EEG was performed at rest to
distinguish between the concentration and immersion states during the game. As this study is not
intended for patients with sleeping or brain diseases, we focused on Theta, Beta, and Alpha waves
while excluding Delta and Gamma waves, used digital filter and independent component analysis
(ICA), and removed interference signals and noise components such as EEG and electrooculography
(EOG) signals to reduce the influence of noise. This study differs from the previous studies in that it
finds an indicator that distinguishes between the immersion and concentration states during game
playing using brain waves. Most of the previous work cited in the above had a limited number
of subjects and it is difficult to conclude with meaningful statistical significance. This study aims
to identify the differences between concentration and immersion in neurophysiology and to find
indicators that can distinguish between concentration and immersion states.
Sensors 2019, 19, 1669 3 of 13

2. Experimental Methods and Signal Processing

The study subjects consisted of 33 men and women in their 20s who had no neurological and
psychiatric illnesses, and one subject was excluded from analysis owing to data error. The recruited
subjects were adults who had played League of Legends for at least one month before participating in
the experiment. Out of the 32 subjects, 29 were men (90.63%) and 3 were women (9.38%). The mean
age was 25.78 years with a standard deviation of ±2.35. To set the number of subjects, we applied the
paired t-test. The effect size was set to 0.5, power to 0.8, and significance level to 0.05. The calculation
gave a sample size of 27 and it was appropriate since our subjects numbered 32. The experiments in
this study were approved by Public Institutional Review Board Designated by Ministry of Health and
Welfare, Korea.
Brain waves were measured using QEEG-8TM (Laxtha Inc., Daejeon, Korea). There were 8
channels, and the Fp1, Fp2, T3, C3, C4, T4, O1, and O2 positions were measured based on the
10–20 system. The channels of the electrodes were numbered sequentially, starting from 1 for Fp1 to 8
for O2. A reference electrode was attached to the proximal cervical vertebrae of the 7th cervical vertebra,
and a ground electrode was attached to the right mastoid. A disk electrode made of gold-plated brass
was used. This electrode had a circle cup form and with a diameter of 10 mm. To reduce the impedance
between the electrode and the skin, first skin surface was scrubbed using skin prepping gel (Nuprep Gel,
Weaver and Company, Aurora, CO, USA) and conductive paste (Ten 20 conductive paste, Weaver and
Company, Aurora, CO, USA) was applied. Then, the gauze was used to fix the electrode on the skin
surface. The experiments were conducted in the order of rest, concentration, and immersion.
Rest was measured in a relaxed state with minimal external stimuli. Subjects were presented with a
blank white screen with a size of 420 mm × 300 mm on the 20-inch monitor to reduce visual stimulation
in an environment with no noise. The concentration state was induced through visually sustained
attention by presenting a white screen with a red dot in the middle. The screen size was the same as
that used for the rest measurement, and the red dot was 10 mm in diameter. Subjects were asked to
concentrate on the red dot for 5 min. After the concentration experiment, subjects were provided a
resting time of approximately 5 min, and then, the immersion experiment was performed. Subjects
played the computer game of Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) genre (League of Legend,
Riot Games Inc.) to induce immersion. This game was selected because 40.1% of computer game
users play the genre of MOBA games and most users play LoL among them. The company estimated
over 100 million active players each month in 2016. Subjects used the keyboard (TGK-8600, Lite-On
Technology Corp., Hsinchu, Taiwan) and the mouse (JSCO noiseless JNL-006k, Shenzen, China) to
control their game characters. During the immersion measurement, subjects were allowed to hear the
sound of the game to increase the degree of immersion.
Laxtha TelescanTM was used for data collection. This instrument includes a bandpass filter
(0.6–46 Hz), and its sampling frequency is 512 Hz. The measurement time was 5 min each for rest
and concentration. The time of the gameplay was not fixed. It depended on each player and ranged
from approximately 20–40 min. During the gameplay, EEG data were acquired every 5 min. Assuming
that the signal at the beginning of the measurement best reflects the state, the measurement of the
first minute was used for the analysis of rest and concentration. However, in the case of immersion,
as the game starts in earnest after 100 s owing to its characteristics, the data for 1 min after 100 s
were analyzed.
EEG is easy to perform; however, it is considerably affected by noise. The largest noise is the EOG
signals resulting from eye flickering or movement. In addition, there are electrocardiography (ECG)
and electromyography (EMG) signals caused by forehead and jaw movement. EOG signals primarily
have a low frequency of less than 4 Hz, which affects the Fp1 and Fp2 channels, and they are the most
interfering signal for EEG measurement because of their large amplitude. The frequency of EMG
signals is typically significantly higher than that of brain waves, and these signals are mostly removed
during EEG signal processing. In addition, there are interfering signals from alternating current power
Sensors 2019, 19, 1669 4 of 13

noise and fluorescent light. Such noise may result in erroneous brain wave measurement results or
poor performance in brain–computer interfaces [22].
Figure 1 shows the block diagram of signal processing. There are two parts: filtering and removing
artifacts, and analysis in the frequency domain.

Y(n) = − ∑ Ak Y(n − k) + ∑ Bk X(n − k) (1)

Sensors 2019, 19, x 4 of 14

Figure 1. The
Figure block
1. The diagram
block of the
diagram signal
of the processing
signal where
processing IIRIIR
where represents infinite
represents impulse
infinite response.
impulse response.

It isFigure
the Infinite
1 showsImpulse Response
the block (IIR) digital
diagram filterprocessing.
of signal formula shown
Thereinare
the two
above [23] where
parts: X(n)
filtering and
is the input of the filter, Y(n) is the output of the filter,
removing artifacts, and analysis in the frequency domain. k k and A , B is the kth order filter coefficient.
In this study, a 10th order IIR digital high-pass filter with a cutoff frequency of 4 Hz was applied
to raw data before calculating EEG Y n results, and
A Ythen,
n kunnecessary B X nsignals
k were removed through(1)
ICA. The digital filter was designed using the Filter Design and Analysis (FDA) tool, which is one
It is the Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) digital filter formula shown in the above [23] where X(n)
of the signal processing toolboxes provided by MATLABTM . ICA is a method of separating several
is the input of the filter, Y(n) is the output of the filter, and Ak, Bk is the kth order filter coefficient. In
independent components contained in a signal, and it is used to extract the characteristics of a signal
this study, a 10th order IIR digital high-pass filter with a cutoff frequency of 4 Hz was applied to raw
or remove noise. ICA can be used to detect the location of a specific brain signal in EEG results and to
data before calculating EEG results, and then, unnecessary signals were removed through ICA. The
remove mixed noise in EEG signals [24]. Figure 2 shows the results obtained using EEGLAB, which is
digital filter was designed using the Filter Design and Analysis (FDA) tool, which is one of the signal
one of the open-source toolboxes developed for MATLABTM by the Swartz Center for Computational
processing toolboxes provided by MATLABTM. ICA is a method of separating several independent
Neuroscience (SCCN) in San Diego, US [25].
components contained in a signal, and it is used to extract the characteristics of a signal or remove
Each ICA component was checked to remove EOG and ECG noise. The process of removing EOG
noise. ICA can be used to detect the location of a specific brain signal in EEG results and to remove
and ECG noise using ICA is as follows: Figure 2a shows the topography of the 8 ICA components.
mixed noise in EEG signals [24]. Figure 2 shows the results obtained using EEGLAB, which is one of
Component numbers are horizontally assigned from the top left. In Figure 2b, the ICA components
the open-source toolboxes developed for MATLABTM by the Swartz Center for Computational
are sequentially displayed on the time axis. The component numbers in both figures correspond
Neuroscience (SCCN) in San Diego, US [25].
to each other. For example, Component 1 in Figure 2a corresponds to Component 1 in Figure 2b.
Each ICA component was checked to remove EOG and ECG noise. The process of removing
Therefore, the location of the signal is determined in Figure 2a, and its real-time waveform is shown in
EOG and ECG noise using ICA is as follows: Figure 2a shows the topography of the 8 ICA
Figure 2b. The ECG and EOG components could be estimated by checking the signal pattern. The ECG
components. Component numbers are horizontally assigned from the top left. In Figure 1b, the ICA
signal appears along the cardiac cycle in the entire area of the brain. The second ICA component
components are sequentially displayed on the time axis. The component numbers in both figures
is similar to the ECG signal and appears to affect the entire area of the brain. It has a period of
correspond to each other. For example, Component 1 in Figure 2a corresponds to Component 1 in
approximately one second, which corresponds to a heart rate of approximately 60 bpm and falls within
Figure 2b. Therefore, the location of the signal is determined in Figure 2a, and its real-time waveform
is shown in Figure 2b. The ECG and EOG components could be estimated by checking the signal
pattern. The ECG signal appears along the cardiac cycle in the entire area of the brain. The second
ICA component is similar to the ECG signal and appears to affect the entire area of the brain. It has a
period of approximately one second, which corresponds to a heart rate of approximately 60 bpm and
falls within the normal heart rate range for an adult. Therefore, the second ICA component represents
Sensors 2019, 19, 1669 5 of 13

the normal heart rate range for an adult. Therefore, the second ICA component represents the ECG
signal. The EOG signal primarily appears in Fp1 and Fp2, with large signal amplitude. The fifth ICA
component is shown by the frequency of large amplitudes in Fp1 and Fp2 in Figure 3a. This frontal
lobe is clearly reflected in the EOG signal; hence, the fifth ICA component in Figure 2 can be considered
as the EOG signal. Therefore, if the 2nd and 5th ICA components are removed, the interference
components due to the ECG and EOG signals can be excluded.
Sensors 2019, 19, x 5 of 14

Figure 2. Identification of interfering signals-based an independent component analysis: (a) Topography

Figure 2. Identification of interfering signals-based an independent component analysis:
of the eight ICA components; (b) waveforms of the eight ICA components with respect to time.
(a) Topography of the eight ICA components; (b) waveforms of the eight ICA components with
respect
Figure to time. a comparison of the original EEG data and the data after removing interference
3 shows
components through ICA. Figure 3a shows the original data and Figure 3b shows the waveforms after
Figure 3 shows a comparison of the original EEG data and the data after removing interference
the data are processed using the ICA method. Removing the ICA components estimated as ECG and
components through ICA. Figure 3a shows the original data and Figure 3b shows the waveforms
EOG signals shows that the periodic components included in the original data have been removed.
after the data are processed using the ICA method. Removing the ICA components estimated as ECG
Spectral analysis was performed to obtain the results from the data collected after noise removal.
and EOG signals shows that the periodic components included in the original data have been
After noise removal, Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) is adopted to analysis the data that is
removed. Spectral analysis was performed to obtain the results from the data collected after noise
transformed as overlapped 75% every 3 s. For splitting each band, the absolute spectral power data is
removal. After noise removal, Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) is adopted to analysis the data
calculated from those results. As this study is aimed at normal subjects in a state of arousal, the signals
that is transformed as overlapped 75% every 3 s. For splitting each band, the absolute spectral power
in Theta, Alpha, and Beta waves were analyzed, and Delta and Gamma waves were excluded.
data is calculated from those results. As this study is aimed at normal subjects in a state of arousal,
the signals in Theta, Alpha, and Beta waves were analyzed, and Delta and Gamma waves were
excluded.
Sensors 2019, 19, 1669 6 of 13
Sensors 2019, 19, x 6 of 14

Figure 3. (a) Original

Original EEG
EEG data
data in each channel;
channel; (b) Processed
Processed data after removal
removal of ECG and EOG
related ICA components.

3. Results
3. Results
Figure 44 shows
Figure shows thethe Fourier
Fourier transformation
transformation result
result for
for the
the mean
mean absolute
absolute power
power of of the
the Theta,
Theta,
Alpha, and
Alpha, and Beta
Beta bands
bands of of the
the 32
32 subjects
subjects for
for each
each channel.
channel. ItIt shows
shows thethe values
values for
for the
the rest,
rest,
concentration, and immersion states of each band. Figure 5 shows the ratios of the
concentration, and immersion states of each band. Figure 5 shows the ratios of the absolute powers absolute powers
for the
for the concentration
concentrationand andimmersion
immersionstates
states
toto that
that forfor
thethe
restrest state.
state. ThereThere are rest,
are rest, concentration,
concentration, and
and immersion states for each band, and the mean absolute power of the 32 subjects
immersion states for each band, and the mean absolute power of the 32 subjects in each channel in each channel is
is
compared between the concentration and immersion states and
compared between the concentration and immersion states and the rest state.the rest state.
Figure 5 clearly shows how change occurs compared to the rest state. As shown by the results of
Channels 1 and 2 in the Theta band, a decrease of 4.46% and 3.52% is observed in the concentration
state, while an increase of 0.48% and 14.61% is observed in the immersion state, relative to the rest
state. In addition, Channels 7 and 8 of the Theta band show a larger increase of 6.65% and 23.14%
in the immersion state, as compared to an increase of 3.70% and 5.17% in the concentration state.
In the immersion state, the Theta band increases by 0.48–23.14% in all channels; however, in the
concentration state, it decreases in almost all channels. The Alpha band decreases in the concentration
and immersion states compared to the rest state; however, the decrease in the immersion state is more
pronounced. The decrease in the concentration state is 4.42–11.71% while that in the immersion state is
7.42–27.52%. Particularly, in the immersion state, Channels 7 and 8 show the highest decrease of 22.61%
and 27.52%. The Beta band increases in the concentration and immersion states at Channels 1, 2, 7,
and 8; it increases by 3.77–20.95% in the immersion state and by 0.05–7.60% in the concentration state.
In the Beta band, the temporal lobes of Channels 3 and 6 decrease in the concentration state compared
to the rest state; however, they increased in the immersion state. In the Beta band, the central lobe for
Channels 4 and 5 decreases in the concentration and immersion states compared to the rest state.
Various parameters (also referred to as the index) have been proposed to represent the degree
of concentration or immersion using a single number. For example, this study used the ratio of the
Sensors 2019, 19, 1669 7 of 13

Theta and Alpha bands as an index to represent immersion. In a previous study, the ratio of the sum of
the SMR and Mid-B bands to the Theta band was used as an index for concentration [18]. Figure 6
shows the increase/decrease ratio of the concentration and immersion states relative to the rest state
for three indices. The concentration and immersion states were compared to the rest state as the bases
by applying
Sensors 2019, 19,each
x index to rest, concentration, and immersion data. 7 of 14

Figure 4. The absolute

absolute powers
powersofofTheta
Theta(a);
(a);Alpha
Alpha(b)(b)
and Beta
and (c)(c)
Beta bands areare
bands shown in the
shown in cases of rest,
the cases of
concentration and immersion.
rest, concentration and immersion.

In the case where Theta/Alpha is used as the immersion index, the change in this value for
concentration or immersion relative to rest is considered. In the immersion state, the value increases
by 15.26–69.89% in all channels, particularly, 37.81% and 69.89% in Channels 7 and 8, respectively. This
indicates that the occipital lobe channel is highly active in the immersion state. In addition, the value
increases in all channels during concentration; however, it increases only slightly from 2.37% to 9.27%
compared to the immersion state. The value of Theta/Alpha appears to be appropriate as an index
for immersion.
Sensors 2019, 19, 1669 8 of 13
Sensors 2019, 19, x 8 of 14

Figure 5. The absolute power ratio with respect to that of rest state where the two cases of concentration
and immersion
Figure states are power
5. The absolute shown in the with
ratio frequency
respectbands
to of Theta
that (a); Alpha
of rest (b) and the
state where Betatwo
(c). cases of
concentration and immersion states are shown in the frequency bands of Theta (a); Alpha (b) and Beta
In the case where (SMR + Mid-B)/Theta is used as the concentration index, considering the
(c).
concentration state relative to the rest state, this concentration index increases by 7.76% or decreases
by 0.15%
Figurein Channels
5 clearly shows1 and 2.howCompared
change to the studies
occurs compared by Gatoetthe
al.rest
[18],state.
in which the attention
As shown by the level in
results
the frontal lobe is elevated, this result does not explain the concentration
of Channels 1 and 2 in the Theta band, a decrease of 4.46% and 3.52% is observed in the concentration state clearly. Rather, when
immersion
state, whileisandetermined
increase ofusing0.48%this andconcentration index, the
14.61% is observed phenomenon
in the immersionbecomes more difficult
state, relative to
to the rest
explain, as the index is larger during immersion than during concentration.
state. In addition, Channels 7 and 8 of the Theta band show a larger increase of 6.65% and 23.14% in
The concentration
the immersion state, as index
compared proposed
to an in this study
increase is Beta/Theta.
of 3.70% and 5.17%The in theresults for concentration
concentration state. Inand
the
immersion state, the Theta band increases by 0.48–23.14% in all channels; however, band
immersion represented using this index are shown in Figure 6c. When the ratio of the Beta to
in the
the Theta band is used as an index for concentration, the values for Channels
concentration state, it decreases in almost all channels. The Alpha band decreases in the concentration 1 and 2 clearly increase
by 12.62
and and 3.99%
immersion states incompared
the concentration
to the reststate,
state;relative
however, to the
the rest state.inThe
decrease thevalues in thestate
immersion immersion
is more
state increase by 18.63–55.13% in all channels when (SMR + Mid-B)/Theta
pronounced. The decrease in the concentration state is 4.42–11.71% while that in the immersion state is used as the concentration
index.
is When Beta/Theta
7.42–27.52%. Particularly, is used
in theasimmersion
the concentration index, the
state, Channels values
7 and 8 show decrease by 7.89–21.21%
the highest in
decrease of
Channels
22.61% and 4, 27.52%.
5, and 8The or increase
Beta band byincreases
0.76–13.40% in concentration
in the Channels 1, 2,and 3, 6,immersion
and 7. A distinctive pattern
states at Channels
is observed. In other words, the results are inconsistent when the concentration
1, 2, 7, and 8; it increases by 3.77–20.95% in the immersion state and by 0.05–7.60% in the concentration index is applied to
determine
state. In thethe immersion
Beta band, the state. This can
temporal be of
lobes advantageous
Channels 3 and as this is a concentration
6 decrease index that isstate
in the concentration not
affected by immersion. The index was applied to Channels 1, 2, 7, and
compared to the rest state; however, they increased in the immersion state. In the Beta band, the 8 to determine immersion.
When
centralimmersion is evaluated
lobe for Channels 4 and using the immersion
5 decreases index, it is observed
in the concentration to increase
and immersion in allcompared
states channels as
to
shown
the restin Figure 6; however, the increase is higher in Channels 7 and 8 in the occipital lobe.
state.
Various parameters (also referred to as the index) have been proposed to represent the degree
of concentration or immersion using a single number. For example, this study used the ratio of the
Theta and Alpha bands as an index to represent immersion. In a previous study, the ratio of the sum
of the SMR and Mid-B bands to the Theta band was used as an index for concentration [18]. Figure 6
Sensors 2019, 19, x 9 of 14

shows the increase/decrease ratio of the concentration and immersion states relative to the rest state
for three indices. The concentration and immersion states were compared to the rest state as the bases
Sensors 2019, 19, 1669 9 of 13
by applying each index to rest, concentration, and immersion data.

Figure 6. Three different indices in each channel are compared in the cases of concentration and immersion.
Figure 6. Three different indices in each channel are compared in the cases of concentration and
Table 1 shows the results obtained after applying the immersion index to Channels 7 and 8 in the
immersion.
occipital lobe and Channels 1 and 2 in the frontal lobe. This table shows ratio of the values for the
occipital and
In the frontal
case wherelobes and the ratio
Theta/Alpha of increase/decrease
is used as the immersion in concentration and immersion
index, the change relative
in this value for
to the rest state. Relative to the rest state, a decrease of 2.20% is observed in the concentration
concentration or immersion relative to rest is considered. In the immersion state, the value increases state
and
by an increase of
15.26–69.89% in25.09% is observed
all channels, in the immersion
particularly, 37.81% andstate. This in
69.89% implies the increase/decrease
Channels ratio
7 and 8, respectively.
in Channels 7 and 8 decreases more than that in Channels 1 and 2 in the concentration
This indicates that the occipital lobe channel is highly active in the immersion state. In addition, thestate when
the immersion
value increases index is appliedduring
in all channels and the increase/decrease
concentration; ratioitin
however, Channels
increases 7 and
only 8 increases
slightly in the
from 2.37%
immersion
to state. to the immersion state. The value of Theta/Alpha appears to be appropriate as an
9.27% compared
indexTable
for immersion.
1. The Theta-Alpha ratio between Channels 7 and 8 and Channels 1 and 2 as an immersion index.
In the case where (SMR + Mid-B)/Theta is used as the concentration index, considering the
concentrationIndex Statestate, this concentration
state relative to the rest Value indexRatio Value
increases by 7.76% or(%)
decreases
by 0.15% in Channels 1 and 2. Compared Rest to the studies
0.63 by Ga et al. [18], in which the attention level
[Theta/Alpha (7, 8)] Concentration/Rest −2.20
Concentration 0.62
in the frontal lobe is elevated, this result does not explain the concentration state clearly. Rather, when
[Theta/Alpha (1,2)] Immersion 0.79 Immersion/Rest 25.09
Sensors 2019, 19, 1669 10 of 13

All statistical tests were conducted with SPSS version 24. Wilcoxon signed-ranking test was
used to analyze the effectiveness of EEG index for comparison between concentration and immersion
state. The results are shown in Table 2. Table 2 shows that the two immersion indices (Theta/Alpha,
and [Theta/Alpha (7, 8)]/[Theta/Alpha (1, 2)]) are significantly higher in the immersion state compare
to the concentration state. In case of the concentration indices ((SMR+Mid-β)/Theta, and Beta/Theta),
there are statistically significant differences between concentration and immersion in Channels 1, 2,
4, 5 and 8. However, the (SMR+Mid-β)/Theta is higher in immersion state, and on the other hand,
the Beta/Theta is higher in concentration state. Therefore, the concentration and immersion states can
be distinguished using a new immersion index for Channels 1 and 2 and Channels 7 and 8.

Table 2. Comparison between concentration and immersion state using four indices.

Index Channel Concentration Immersion p Value

1 0.92 1.33 0.036
2 0.91 1.31 0.029
3 1.50 2.39 0.881
4 1.06 1.30 0.040
(SMR + Mid-β)/Theta
5 1.01 1.42 0.018
6 1.48 2.37 0.477
7 1.17 1.85 0.489
8 1.24 1.40 0.001
1 2.20 2.18 0.052
2 2.20 2.13 0.210
3 3.45 4.07 0.432
4 2.35 1.96 0.043
Beta/Theta
5 2.14 2.00 0.045
6 3.49 4.16 0.270
7 2.49 2.93 0.852
8 2.62 2.06 0.001
1 1.13 1.26 0.003
2 1.14 1.31 0.004
3 0.83 0.91 0.009
4 0.87 1.13 <0.001
Theta/Alpha
5 0.88 1.14 <0.001
6 0.80 0.95 <0.001
7 0.73 0.93 <0.001
8 0.67 1.10 <0.001
[Theta/Alpha (7,
- 0.62 0.79 0.004
8)]/[Theta/Alpha (1,2)]

4. Discussion
Interfering signals and noise should be processed to analyze brain waves. For this purpose,
signal processing was performed based on the Infinite Impulse Response filter and the ICA. The Delta
and Gamma bands were excluded from analysis as the study did not involve patients with sleeping or
brain diseases.
In the absolute power analysis, the Alpha band in the concentration and immersion states
decreases as compared to the rest state in all channels (Figure 4). The decrease is more pronounced in
the immersion state. Such a result is consistent with that of a previous study, which is that Alpha waves
are typically best observed at rest and decrease when stimuli are applied. The Beta band increase in
the concentration and immersion states in Channels 1, 2, 7, and 8; the increase in the immersion state is
higher. In general, Beta waves appear irregularly and are small in size. They typically appear in an
awakened or an active state or in a state of thought and concentration. They are symmetrically
distributed throughout the brain and appear clearly at the front of the brain (frontal lobe) [26].
Beta wave activity is observed in exercise-related cortex or basal ganglia while moving or concentrating
Sensors 2019, 19, 1669 11 of 13

on hands and feet. This explains the increase in Beta waves during immersion in the computer game
or during concentration in this study. The Beta band decreases in the concentration state in Channels 3
and 6; however, it increases significantly in the immersion state. This phenomenon may be limited
to playing the computer game in this study. A hearing response is observed in temporal lobes as the
activity of the brain waves increases because subjects can listen to the sound of the computer game.
The Beta bands in Channels 4 and 5 of the central lobe decrease in the concentration and immersion
states, and the decrease is considerably larger in the immersion state.
The characteristics of concentration and immersion in the Theta band are different. Theta waves
are observed in various parts of the brain; Theta waves are either found or not found in cognitive
activity and they are observed in morbid conditions. They are known to have several different
generation principles. Among various cognitive activities, Theta waves are typically observed in
the central frontal cortex, and they vary in magnitude according to the intensity of the memorizing
activity while being independent of Alpha waves. In almost all channels, the absolute power in
the concentration state decreases more than that in the rest state (Figure 4). However, it increases
significantly in the immersion state in almost all channels. The similarity between the concentration
and immersion states in the frontal lobe is the increase in the Beta band and the general decrease
in the Alpha band. The Theta band decreases in frontal lobe during concentration and increases
during immersion.
Concentration and immersion show significant difference in the Theta, Alpha and Beta bands.
Based on the results of the Beta band activation in the frontal lobe during concentration, it can be
inferred that the immersion state is similar to the concentration state. However, the differences in
the Theta band can distinguish between the two states. In the immersion state, it is possible to infer
Theta band activation from the phenomenon of immersing in the game and forgetting the surrounding
environment and problems; this is a state similar to conscious sleep. On the contrary, as concentration
is a selective phenomenon (between the white background and red dot), it is different from immersion,
as shown by the decrease in the Theta band. Therefore, the ratio of Theta band to the Alpha band is an
appropriate index to distinguish the immersion state from the concentration state.
When the concentration and immersion states are compared using the immersion index
(Theta/Alpha) (Figure 6a), the index is observed to increase in all channels during immersion,
particularly in Channels 7 and 8. Moreover, it increases in all channels during concentration; however,
the increase is considerably smaller than in the immersion state. When analysis is performed using the
ratio of the average in Channels 1 and 2 and that in Channels 7 and 8 in the immersion index, the ratio
in the concentration state decreases as compared to the rest state. However, the ratio increases in the
immersion state. Therefore, the selection of a particular channel in the immersion index can provide a
new index that can distinguish between the concentration and immersion states. In the concentration
state, when data are analyzed using the concentration index as the ratio of the sum of SMR and Mid-B
band to the Theta band (Figure 6b), relative to the resting state, the index increases in Channel 1 and
decreases in Channel 2 in the concentration state, making it difficult to clearly observe the increase in
concentration level in the frontal lobe.
In the cases where the concentration index is set as the ratio of the entire Beta band, including
high-Beta, to the Theta band (Figure 6c), the increase in Channels 1 and 2 is considerably clear in the
concentration state, which implies that it is more desirable to use "the ratio of the Beta and Theta bands"
as an index for concentration. In addition, the immersion state represented using the Beta/Theta
concentration index does not exhibit a consistent pattern, as shown by either an increase in all channels
or a different increase/decrease in each channel. This concentration index does not clearly correlate
with the immersion state, and it selectively shows the concentration state rather than the immersion
state; therefore, it is more preferred as a concentration index.
The difference between the two indices, i.e., (SMR + Mid-B)/Theta and Beta/Theta, lies in the
high-Beta band of 20–30 Hz. The high-Beta band is commonly associated with stress. Unlike the
rest state, brain waves are recorded using the activity of staring at a red dot on a white screen to
Sensors 2019, 19, 1669 12 of 13

measure the concentration state. Unlike the rest state, measuring the concentration state can cause
stress because of the changed experimental environment. If so, it can be questioned whether the
high-Beta band should be excluded from the concentration indicators proposed in previous studies.
The concentration index in previous studies is the ratio of the sum of the SMR and Mid-B bands to the
Theta band. Among the studies that have used this index, there is a study that cites the contents of
an EEG measurement instrument manual. However, there is no ground test or publications on the
indicators cited in the EEG manuals; thus, the use of concentration indicators from previous studies is
considered to be a weak basis. The experimental results show that the ratio of the Beta band to the
Theta band is more optimal as a concentration index.

5. Conclusions
In this study, the mental states of concentration and immersion whose characteristics are similar
could be distinguished through EEG analysis. Both concentration and immersion states increased
Alpha waves. However, a difference was observed with Theta waves where Theta waves decreased
during concentration and, on the other hand, increased during immersion. With Beta waves, differences
between concentration and immersion show much more complicated patterns depending also on brain
regions. The concentration index in previous studies was the ratio of the sum of the SMR and Mid-B
bands to the Theta band. In this study, we find that the concentration index of Beta/Theta was more
promising. We also propose a new index of indicating concentration or immersion that is the ratio of
Theta-Alpha ratio between occipital lobe and frontal lobes. Relative to the rest state, this new index
was decreased in the concentration state and increased in the immersion state. Considering all these,
an apparent difference between concentration and immersion could be measured. This implies that
there are possibilities of diagnosing various mental states other than concentration and immersion and
that more elaborate control in brain-machine interface may be possible in the future.

Author Contributions: Experiment and data acquisition, S.L.; Statistical analysis, M.Y.; Methodology and
Supervision, G.Y.
Funding: This research was supported by the Research Program funded by Seoul National University of Science
and Technology (SeoulTech).
Ethics Approval: The experiments in this paper were approved by Public Institutional Review Board Designated
by Ministry of Health and Welfare (approval number: P01-201602-13-001), Korea.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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