Effects of Different Viewing Angles and Visual Stimuli on the Performance of MI Brain-Computer Interfaces

Abstract

In this study, a paradigm is proposed for 45° viewing angle and changing stimuli-based motor imagery brain-computer interface (MI-BCI). The viewing angle from the first-person perspective can better activate mirror neurons, which can improve the process of converting participants’ subjective motive intentions into operational controls. BCI performance is influenced by factors such as user attention and rhythmic visual stimulation has been shown to modulate visual attention. 18 participants completed the two-factor MI task of three viewing angles and two visual stimulus types. The results showed that the classification accuracy was found to be 76% with a 45°viewing angle and changing stimuli, which has a positive impact on the BCI's performance as well as the participants’ focus of attention during the tasks and reduces their level of visual fatigue. The findings of this study offer helpful direction for creating future interface paradigms for MI-BCI that are more effective and user-friendly.