FAQs
What is the purpose of the study?
This research aims to contribute to the development of future tools that may help assess brain disorders more accurately.
BetterMind collects EEG and other research data to better understand how brain activity varies across different people and across different mental and emotional states. By learning from a wide range of people, including primarily those not diagnosed with any psychiatric or neurological condition, researchers can identify general, meaningful patterns in brain activity.
This research can then help support the development of future technologies, such as AI diagnostic aids, that can learn from these patterns and support the assessment of various neuropsychiatric conditions.
You do not need to have a mental health or neurological condition to participate. Participation at BetterMind is for research purposes and is not a medical test or diagnosis. We do not diagnose or treat medical or mental health conditions.
How could this research be used in the future?
BetterMind’s research supports the development of AI-powered tools that can learn to recognize meaningful patterns in brain activity. For these tools to become more accurate, they need to learn from research data collected from many different people, including healthy volunteers.
The long-term goal is to contribute to the development of tools that may help identify and assess neuropsychiatric conditions more accurately and accessibly in the future.
Your research data is de-identified and kept separate from your personal information.
What will I do during the study?
The study consists of two sessions. Each session takes about one hour. During your visits, you will:
- Wear a comfortable, non-invasive, dry EEG headset
- Complete simple computer tasks and mini-games
- Use an eye tracker to control parts of the games with your eyes, similar to using a computer mouse
- Answer short health-related questionnaires
Our team will guide you through each step, so no previous experience is needed.
Do I get paid to take part?
Yes. You are compensated for your time, and taking part never costs you anything.
You will receive ₱200 after your first session and ₱400 after your second, for a total of ₱600 once you complete both sessions. Payment is sent through GCash on the same day of your visit.
What is EEG and what does it measure?
EEG, or electroencephalography, is a safe, non-invasive technology that has been used in hospitals, clinics, and research settings for over a hundred years. It records the natural electrical activity your brain is already producing, using small sensors placed on the surface of your scalp.
EEG only listens; it does not send anything into your brain or affect it in any way.
Can EEG read my thoughts or memories?
No. EEG cannot read your thoughts or memories.
It only records patterns of electrical activity from your scalp while you play the games.
What does the eye tracker do? Does it scan my eyes?
The eye tracker detects where you’re looking on the computer screen and is used like a computer mouse, allowing you to control parts of the games with your eyes.
Eye-tracking technology is also used in areas such as e-sports to analyze where players look and focus while playing games.
It does not scan your eyes or iris, take biometric measurements, or record images of your iris.
What information is collected from me?
Only your EEG data, eye-tracking data, health-related questionnaire responses, and interactions during the computer tasks are used for research. This data is de-identified and coded so that it is not stored with your name or contact information.
We also collect personal information such as your name, contact details, and GCash information. These are not used for research and are stored separately for registration, scheduling reminders, and payment processing.
Why do I need to provide an ID?
Since the study is only open to participants who are 18 years old and above, we require a valid ID to verify your age and identity when you sign the consent form.
Your ID is used for verification purposes and is not part of the research data.
Why do I need my photo taken during the check-in process?
Your photo is taken before the session to verify your identity and prevent duplicate participation, including cases where someone may attempt to participate again using a false identity.
Each participant can only take part in the study once (two sessions) to protect the accuracy of the research.
Your photo is not used for research analysis and is stored securely solely for the purpose of preventing duplicate participation.
Is my research data connected to my name?
Your research data is never stored under your name. From the moment it is collected, your EEG data, eye-tracking data, and questionnaire responses are labeled with a code rather than your personal details, and your name and contact information are kept completely separate. The two are never held together.
This means the research team works only with the experimental data itself, not anything that identifies you. Your identity stays protected throughout.
Who can access my information and research data?
Access to your information is limited to authorized BetterMind staff, and only for the purposes described herein.
Your research data is handled by the trained research and scientific team responsible for analyzing it. Your personal information, such as your name and contact details, is handled by the staff who need it to arrange your visit and payment and is stored separately from your research data. Access is limited to those whose work requires it.
How is my information protected?
Your information is stored on secure, encrypted systems, and access is restricted to authorized staff.
BetterMind operates inline with the Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012 and applicable privacy requirements. For full details on how your data is collected, used, and protected, please read our Privacy Policy.
Is this a medical test or diagnosis?
No. Participation at BetterMind is not a medical check-up, therapy, or psychological evaluation.
We do not diagnose or treat any condition, and we are not able to give you individual results or feedback about your brain activity. This is because the research studies broad patterns across many people, not the health of any one person.
If you ever have concerns about your health, we encourage you to speak with a doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.
Can I cancel or reschedule my session?
Yes. If you can’t make your scheduled time, you can cancel or reschedule, no reason needed.
Just let us know at [email protected] as early as you can, so we can offer your slot to another participant. Taking part is always your choice, and you can change your plans at any time.