Focus Pocus

Purpose: Focus Pocus was designed to deliver a neurocognitive training program for children, mainly those with attention problems or ADHD.  The mini-games deliver neurofeedback, inhibitory control, and working memory training in a fun "wizard in training" environment.  

Programming Language: Flash/Actionscript 3.0​

EEG input: Neurosky Mindwave II

​Designer: Stuart Johnstone

​Developer: Roll7 and Philip Roxas

Peer-reviewed published research on Focus Pocus

• Luo, X., Guo, X., Zhao, Q., Zhu, Y., Chen, Y., Wang, Y., Johnstone, S. J., Sun, L. (in press).  A randomized controlled study of remote computerized cognitive, neurofeedback, and combined training in the treatment of children with AD/HD.  European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.  Accepted 5/02/2022.
• Jiang, H., Johnstone, S. J., Sun, L., Zhang, D. (2021). Effect of neurocognitive training for children with AD/HD at improving academic engagement in two learning settings.  Journal of Attention Disorders, 25, 414-431.
• Zhang, D., Johnstone, S. J., Li, H., Luo, X., Sun, L. (2021).  Comparing the transfer effects of three neurocognitive training protocols in children with AD/HD: a single-case experimental design. Behaviour Change, 1-19.  https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2021.26
• Johnstone, S. J., Roodenrys, S.J., Johnson, K., Bonfield, R., Bennett, S. J. (2017). Game-based combined cognitive and neurofeedback training using Focus Pocus reduces symptom severity in children with diagnosed AD/HD and subclinical AD/HD. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 116, 32-44.
• Jiang, H., and Johnstone, S. J. (2015). A preliminary multiple case study report of neurocognitive training for children with ADHD in China. Sage Open, 5 (2), 1-13.
• Johnstone, S. J., Roodenrys, S., Blackman, R., Johnston, E., Loveday, K., Mantz, S., Barratt, M. (2012). Neurocognitive training for children with and without AD/HD. ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 4, 11-23.
• Johnstone, S. J., Roodenrys, S., Phillips, E., Watt, A. J. & Mantz, S. (2010). A pilot study of combined working memory and inhibition training for children with AD/HD. ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 2, 31-42.