Treatment of neurological functioning and conditions using computer-assisted dual-task methodology

A system for treatment of neurological conditions, comprising:

• a physical activity data capture device, configured to capture movement data associated with physical activity of persons exercising thereon;
• a computing device comprising a processor and a memory;
• a computer display configured to display outputs from a software application to persons undergoing treatment;
• the software application, comprising a first plurality of programming instructions stored in a memory which, when operating on the processor, causes the computing device to:
• receive a neurological condition of a person for treatment;
• select a primary activity for performance by the person, the primary activity comprising a physical activity associated with activation of portions of the human brain associated with the neurological condition and a recommended level of intensity of the physical activity also associated with activation of portions of the human brain associated with the neurological condition;
• select a secondary activity for performance by the person, the secondary activity being a mental activity to be engaged in by the person within a virtual reality environment controlled in whole or in part by the software application, the secondary activity also being associated with activation of portions of the human brain associated with the neurological condition;
• operate the secondary activity within the virtual reality environment;
• while the person engages in the primary task, record movement data associated with the physical activity using the physical activity data capture device;
• convert the movement data into movements in the virtual reality environment;
• display the virtual reality environment comprising the secondary activity and the movements to the person via the display;
• determine from the movement data an actual level of intensity of the physical activity, and either:
• provide feedback to the person via the display as to the actual level of intensity relative to the recommended level of intensity, such that the person can self-regulate the actual level of intensity to be similar to the recommended level of intensity;
• or
• adjust the operation of the physical activity data capture device to cause the actual level of intensity to more closely correspond with the recommended level of intensity;
• and
• record activity data associated with the person's engagement in the secondary activity within the virtual reality environment;
• and
• a second plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory which, when operating on the processor, causes the computing device to:
• capture and analyze the movement data while the secondary task is stopped;
• capture and analyze the activity data while the primary activity is stopped;
• restart operation of the primary activity;
• capture and analyze the movement data and the activity data while the primary activity and secondary activity are performed simultaneously;
• and
• calculate a composite functioning score for the person, the composite functioning score comprising an indication of the level of functionality of an aspect of the person's nervous system based on differences in performance between the separate performance of the primary activity and secondary activity relative to the combined performance of the primary activity and secondary activity;
• and
• generate a neurological condition profile of the person comprising an indication of relative functioning of the aspect of the person's nervous system.