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  • Impact of age, VR, immersion, and spatial resolution on classifier performance for a MI-based BCI
    Publication . Blanco-Mora, D. A.; Aldridge, A.; Jorge, C.; Vourvopoulos, A.; Figueiredo, P.; Bermúdez i Badia, S.
    There are many factors outlined in the signal processing pipeline that impact brain–computer interface (BCI) performance, but some methodological factors do not depend on signal processing. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research assessing the effect of such factors. Here, we investigate the impact of VR, immersiveness, age, and spatial resolution on the classifier performance of a Motor Imagery (MI) electroencephalography (EEG)-based BCI in naïve participants. We found significantly better performance for VR compared to non-VR (15 electrodes: VR 77.48 ± 6.09%, non-VR 73.5 ± 5.89%, p = 0.0096; 12 electrodes: VR 73.26 ± 5.2%, non-VR 70.87 ± 4.96%, p = 0.0129; 7 electrodes: VR 66.74 ± 5.92%, non-VR 63.09 ± 8.16%, p = 0.0362) and better performance for higher electrode quantity, but no significant differences were found between immersive and non immersive VR. Finally, there was not a statistically significant correlation found between age and classifier performance, but there was a direct relation found between spatial resolution (electrode quantity) and classifier performance (r = 1, p = 0.0129, VR; r = 0.99, p = 0.0859, non-VR).
  • Finding the optimal time window for increased classification accuracy during motor imagery
    Publication . Blanco-Mora, D. A.; Aldridge, A.; Jorge, C.; Vourvopoulos, A.; Figueiredo, P.; Bermúdez i Badia, S.
    Motor imagery classification using electroencephalography is based on feature extraction over a length of time, and different configurations of settings can alter the performance of a classifier. Nevertheless, there is a lack of standardized settings for motor imagery classification. This work analyzes the effect of age on motor imagery training performance for two common spatial pattern-based classifier pipelines and various configurations of timing parameters, such as epochs, windows, and offsets. Results showed significant (p ≤ 0.01) inverse correlations between performance and feature quantity, as well as between performance and epoch/window ratio.
  • Efficacy and brain imaging correlates of an immersive motor imagery BCI-driven VR system for upper limb motor rehabilitation: a clinical case report
    Publication . Vourvopoulos, Athanasios; Jorge, Carolina; Abreu, Rodolfo; Figueiredo, Patrícia; Fernandes, Jean-Claude; Bermúdez i Badia, Sergi
    To maximize brain plasticity after stroke, a plethora of rehabilitation strategies have been explored. These include the use of intensive motor training, motor-imagery (MI), and action-observation (AO). Growing evidence of the positive impact of virtual reality (VR) techniques on recovery following stroke has been shown. However, most VR tools are designed to exploit active movement, and hence patients with low level of motor control cannot fully benefit from them. Consequently, the idea of directly training the central nervous system has been promoted by utilizing MI with electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). To date, detailed information on which VR strategies lead to successful functional recovery is still largely missing and very little is known on how to optimally integrate EEG-based BCIs and VR paradigms for stroke rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of an EEG based BCI-VR system using a MI paradigm for post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation on functional assessments, and related changes in MI ability and brain imaging. To achieve this, a 60 years old male chronic stroke patient was recruited. The patient underwent a 3-week intervention in a clinical environment, resulting in 10 BCI-VR training sessions. The patient was assessed before and after intervention, as well as on a one-month follow-up, in terms of clinical scales and brain imaging using functional MRI (fMRI). Consistent with prior research, we found important improvements in upper extremity scores (Fugl-Meyer) and identified increases in brain activation measured by fMRI that suggest neuroplastic changes in brain motor networks. This study expands on the current body of evidence, as more data are needed on the effect of this type of interventions not only on functional improvement but also on the effect of the intervention on plasticity through brain imaging.