Towards a hybrid P300-based BCI using simultaneous fNIR and EEG

Abstract

Next generation brain computer interfaces (BCI) are expected to provide robust and continuous control mechanism. In this study, we assessed integration of optical brain imaging (fNIR: functional near infrared spectroscopy) to a P300-BCI for improving BCI usability by monitoring cognitive workload and performance. fNIR is a safe and wearable neuroimaging modality that tracks cortical hemodynamics in response to sensory, motor, or cognitive activation. Eight volunteers participated in the study where simultaneous EEG and 16 optode fNIR from anterior prefrontal cortex were recorded while participants engaged with the P300-BCI for spatial navigation. The results showed a significant response in fNIR signals during high, medium and low performance indicating a positive correlation between prefrontal oxygenation changes and BCI performance. This preliminary study provided evidence that the performance of P300-BCI can be monitored by fNIR which in turn can help improve the robustness of the BCI classification. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.