Brain-computer Interface Applications Research Articles

Decoding Pain: A Comprehensive Review of Computational Intelligence Methods in Electroencephalography-Based Brain–Computer Interfaces

Objective pain evaluation is crucial for determining appropriate treatment strategies in clinical settings. Studies have demonstrated the potential of using brain–computer interface (BCI) technology for pain classification and detection. Collating knowledge and insights from prior studies, this review explores the extensive work on pain detection based on electroencephalography (EEG) signals. It presents the findings, methodologies, and advancements reported in 20 peer-reviewed articles that utilize machine learning and deep learning (DL) approaches for EEG-based pain detection. We analyze various ML and DL techniques, support vector machines, random forests, k-nearest neighbors, and convolution neural network recurrent neural networks and transformers, and their effectiveness in decoding pain neural signals. The motivation for combining AI with BCI technology lies in the potential for significant advancements in the real-time responsiveness and adaptability of these systems. We reveal that DL techniques effectively analyze EEG signals and recognize pain-related patterns. Moreover, we discuss advancements and challenges associated with EEG-based pain detection, focusing on BCI applications in clinical settings and functional requirements for effective pain classification systems. By evaluating the current research landscape, we identify gaps and opportunities for future research to provide valuable insights for researchers and practitioners.

Stochasticity as a solution for overfitting—A new model and comparative study on non-invasive EEG prospects

The potential and utility of inner speech is pivotal for developing practical, everyday Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) applications, as it represents a type of brain signal that operates independently of external stimuli however it is largely underdeveloped due to the challenges faced in deciphering its signals. In this study, we evaluated the behaviors of various Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) models on a publicly available dataset, employing popular preprocessing methods as feature extractors to enhance model training. We face significant challenges like subject-dependent variability, high noise levels, and overfitting. To address overfitting in particular, we propose using “BruteExtraTree”: a new classifier which relies on moderate stochasticity inherited from its base model, the ExtraTreeClassifier. This model not only matches the best DL model, ShallowFBCSPNet, in the subject-independent scenario in our experiments scoring 32% accuracy, but also surpasses the state-of-the-art by achieving 46.6% average per-subject accuracy in the subject-dependent case. Our results on the subject-dependent case show promise on the possibility of a new paradigm for using inner speech data inspired from LLM pretraining but we also highlight the crucial need for a drastic change in data recording or noise removal methods to open the way for more practical accuracies in the subject-independent case.

The Application of BCI Based on Deep Learning in Stroke Treatment

Stroke is considered a global disease that leads to death and certain neural disabilities. Deep learning techniques have revolutionized EEG-based Brain-Computer Interface(BCI), enhancing reliability and promising a transformative future for BCI applications in stroke rehabilitation. However, BCI's implementation in clinical practice has been restricted due to their low accuracy performance. The objective of this review is to summarize how the integration of deep learning and BCI technologies can contribute to the rehabilitation of stroke patients. This paper compiles studies that evaluated deep learning and BCI intersection for stroke subjects, analyses the methodological quality of these studies, and verifies the relationship between the effects of the interventions and performance achieved in rehabilitation. The deficiencies and the future development direction of stroke rehabilitation in BCI with deep learning are also discussed. The various deep learning techniques combined with BCI technology, will improve people's ability to cope with stroke and provide a way to recover from stroke.

AMEEGNet: attention-based multiscale EEGNet for effective motor imagery EEG decoding

Recently, electroencephalogram (EEG) based on motor imagery (MI) have gained significant traction in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, particularly for the rehabilitation of paralyzed patients. But the low signal-to-noise ratio of MI EEG makes it difficult to decode effectively and hinders the development of BCI. In this paper, a method of attention-based multiscale EEGNet (AMEEGNet) was proposed to improve the decoding performance of MI-EEG. First, three parallel EEGNets with fusion transmission method were employed to extract the high-quality temporal-spatial feature of EEG data from multiple scales. Then, the efficient channel attention (ECA) module enhances the acquisition of more discriminative spatial features through a lightweight approach that weights critical channels. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed model achieves decoding accuracies of 81.17, 89.83, and 95.49% on BCI-2a, 2b and HGD datasets. The results show that the proposed AMEEGNet effectively decodes temporal-spatial features, providing a novel perspective on MI-EEG decoding and advancing future BCI applications.

VME-EFD : A novel framework to eliminate the Electrooculogram artifact from single-channel EEGs

The diagnosis of neurological disorders often involves analyzing EEG data, which can be contaminated by artifacts from eye movements or blinking (EOG). To improve the accuracy of EEG-based analysis, we propose a novel framework, VME-EFD, which combines Variational Mode Extraction (VME) and Empirical Fourier Decomposition (EFD) for effective EOG artifact removal. In this approach, the EEG signal is first decomposed by VME into two segments: the desired EEG signal and the EOG artifact. The EOG component is further processed by EFD, where decomposition levels are analyzed based on energy and skewness. The level with the highest energy and skewness, corresponding to the artifact, is discarded, while the remaining levels are reintegrated with the desired EEG. Simulations on both synthetic and real EEG datasets demonstrate that VME-EFD outperforms existing methods, with lower RRMSE (0.1358 versus 0.1557, 0.1823, 0.2079, 0.2748), lower ΔPSD in theαband (0.10±0.01 and 0.17±0.04 versus 0.89±0.91 and 0.22±0.19, 1.32±0.23 and 1.10±0.07, 2.86±1.30 and 1.19±0.07, 3.96±0.56 and 2.42±2.48), and higher correlation coefficient (CC: 0.9732 versus 0.9695, 0.9514, 0.8994, 0.8730). The framework effectively removes EOG artifacts and preserves critical EEG features, particularly in theαband, making it highly suitable for brain-computer interface (BCI) applications.

Improving the Performance of Electrotactile Brain-Computer Interface Using Machine Learning Methods on Multi-Channel Features of Somatosensory Event-Related Potentials.

Traditional tactile brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), particularly those based on steady-state somatosensory-evoked potentials, face challenges such as lower accuracy, reduced bit rates, and the need for spatially distant stimulation points. In contrast, using transient electrical stimuli offers a promising alternative for generating tactile BCI control signals: somatosensory event-related potentials (sERPs). This study aimed to optimize the performance of a novel electrotactile BCI by employing advanced feature extraction and machine learning techniques on sERP signals for the classification of users' selective tactile attention. The experimental protocol involved ten healthy subjects performing a tactile attention task, with EEG signals recorded from five EEG channels over the sensory-motor cortex. We employed sequential forward selection (SFS) of features from temporal sERP waveforms of all EEG channels. We systematically tested classification performance using machine learning algorithms, including logistic regression, k-nearest neighbors, support vector machines, random forests, and artificial neural networks. We explored the effects of the number of stimuli required to obtain sERP features for classification and their influence on accuracy and information transfer rate. Our approach indicated significant improvements in classification accuracy compared to previous studies. We demonstrated that the number of stimuli for sERP generation can be reduced while increasing the information transfer rate without a statistically significant decrease in classification accuracy. In the case of the support vector machine classifier, we achieved a mean accuracy over 90% for 10 electrical stimuli, while for 6 stimuli, the accuracy decreased by less than 7%, and the information transfer rate increased by 60%. This research advances methods for tactile BCI control based on event-related potentials. This work is significant since tactile stimulation is an understudied modality for BCI control, and electrically induced sERPs are the least studied control signals in reactive BCIs. Exploring and optimizing the parameters of sERP elicitation, as well as feature extraction and classification methods, is crucial for addressing the accuracy versus speed trade-off in various assistive BCI applications where the tactile modality may have added value.

An Ensemble Deep Learning Approach for EEG-Based Emotion Recognition Using Multi-Class CSP.

In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the field of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), particularly in the area of emotion recognition using EEG signals. The majority of earlier research in this field has missed the spatial-temporal characteristics of EEG signals, which are critical for accurate emotion recognition. In this study, a novel approach is presented for classifying emotions into three categories, positive, negative, and neutral, using a custom-collected dataset. The dataset used in this study was specifically collected for this purpose from 16 participants, comprising EEG recordings corresponding to the three emotional states induced by musical stimuli. A multi-class Common Spatial Pattern (MCCSP) technique was employed for the processing stage of the EEG signals. These processed signals were then fed into an ensemble model comprising three autoencoders with Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) layers. A classification accuracy of 99.44 ± 0.39% for the three emotional classes was achieved by the proposed method. This performance surpasses previous studies, demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach. The high accuracy indicates that the method could be a promising candidate for future BCI applications, providing a reliable means of emotion detection.

Review of Brain-Computer Interface Applications in the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Review of Brain-Computer Interface Applications in the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Design and implementation of a scalable and high-throughput EEG acquisition and analysis system

Recent advances in neuroscience, neuromorphic intelligence, and brain–computer interface (BCI) technologies have created a need for fast, efficient, and convenient electroencephalogram (EEG) data acquisition systems. However, the existing equipment was limited in its flexibility, restricting non-invasive studies to research or medical settings. To address this issue, low-cost, compact EEG acquisition devices have been developed, allowing for frequent and flexible brain data acquisition in various scenarios. This paper introduces a scalable and high-throughput EEG signal acquisition and analysis system based on field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology. The proposed system offers electrode scalability, on-chip computing, and optional wireless functionality extension. These features are achieved through the design of a highly scalable underlying EEG acquisition module and an FPGA central module that enables software-defined high-throughput expansion and high-speed data exchange between software and hardware. The paper presents two implementation cases that demonstrate the potential of the proposed system. The first case introduces a wearable wireless EEG system, enabling the deployment of effective and user-friendly steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-BCI applications in consumer-grade scenarios. The second case integrates an FPGA central module with multiple basic EEG acquisition modules to construct a high-throughput BCI system for cost-effective and real-time EEG data acquisition and processing. This configuration allows for flexible deployment in research and clinical applications, including attention index, SSVEP, motor imagery (MI), and emotion recognition. This combination further demonstrates the potential of scalable EEG systems and emphasizes the need for further integration or chipization. These implementations validate the feasibility of compact and efficient EEG devices and highlight the promising applications of scalable BCI system in various fields.

Brain-Computer Interface Application in Recognition and Regulation of Emotion

This paper investigates the application of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology in the realms of emotion recognition and regulation. BCI technology facilitates direct communication between the brain and external devices, offering significant promise for improving human-environment interactions, particularly with regard to the identification and modulation of emotional states. By analyzing brain signals, such as electroencephalography, this study classifies emotions based on widely recognized models, including Ekmans model and the Russell circumplex model. To enhance the precision of emotion classification, machine learning algorithms, such as support vector machines and neural networks, are utilized. Moreover, this study explores BCIs potential in emotion regulation, focusing on neurofeedback and brain stimulation methods like transcranial direct current stimulation, which have shown therapeutic potential, particularly for disorders related to emotional dysregulation. Additionally, the paper delves into the integration of BCI with virtual reality to create immersive environments conducive to emotional therapy. Despite its considerable potential, BCI technology faces obstacles such as low data transmission rates and the complexities associated with user training. Nonetheless, the integration of BCI technology within Industry 4.0 frameworks holds promising opportunities for optimizing human-machine interactions and improving workplace safety.

Wounds and Vulnerabilities. The Participation of Special Operations Forces in Experimental Brain-Computer Interface Research.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) exemplify a dual-use neurotechnology with significant potential in both civilian and military contexts. While BCIs hold promise for treating neurological conditions such as spinal cord injuries and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the future, military decisionmakers in countries such as the United States and China also see their potential to enhance combat capabilities. Some predict that U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) will be early adopters of BCI enhancements. This article argues for a shift in focus: the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) should pursue translational research of medical BCIs for treating severely injured or ill SOF personnel. After two decades of continuous military engagement and on-going high-risk operations, SOF personnel face unique injury patterns, both physical and psychological, which BCI technology could help address. The article identifies six key medical applications of BCIs that could benefit wounded SOF members and discusses the ethical implications of involving SOF personnel in translational research related to these applications. Ultimately, the article challenges the traditional civilian-military divide in neurotechnology, arguing that by collaborating more closely with military stakeholders, scientists can not only help individuals with medical needs, including servicemembers, but also play a role in shaping the future military applications of BCI technology.

Eeg based smart emotion recognition using meta heuristic optimization and hybrid deep learning techniques

In the domain of passive brain-computer interface applications, the identification of emotions is both essential and formidable. Significant research has recently been undertaken on emotion identification with electroencephalogram (EEG) data. The aim of this project is to develop a system that can analyse an individual’s EEG and differentiate among positive, neutral, and negative emotional states. The suggested methodology use Independent Component Analysis (ICA) to remove artefacts from Electromyogram (EMG) and Electrooculogram (EOG) in EEG channel recordings. Filtering techniques are employed to improve the quality of EEG data by segmenting it into alpha, beta, gamma, and theta frequency bands. Feature extraction is performed with a hybrid meta-heuristic optimisation technique, such as ABC-GWO. The Hybrid Artificial Bee Colony and Grey Wolf Optimiser are employed to extract optimised features from the selected dataset. Finally, comprehensive evaluations are conducted utilising DEAP and SEED, two publically accessible datasets. The CNN model attains an accuracy of approximately 97% on the SEED dataset and 98% on the DEAP dataset. The hybrid CNN-ABC-GWO model achieves an accuracy of approximately 99% on both datasets, with ABC-GWO employed for hyperparameter tuning and classification. The proposed model demonstrates an accuracy of around 99% on the SEED dataset and 100% on the DEAP dataset. The experimental findings are contrasted utilising a singular technique, a widely employed hybrid learning method, or the cutting-edge method; the proposed method enhances recognition performance.

A Hybrid RNN-CNN based Motor Imagery Tasks Classification Approach Using MEG Brain Signals for BCI Applications

<p dir="ltr"><span>Magnetoencephalography (MEG) has become a pioneering technology in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) for neurorehabilitation, which significantly improves communication and motor rehabilitation for people with neurological conditions, especially stroke survivors. MEG-based BCIs allow users to regain control over their motor and cognitive functions by providing precise temporal and spatial resolution for detecting neural activity. The MEG has several benefits including reduced distortion from the skull and scalp, its non-invasive nature, and the ability to capture deep brain activity, all of which enhance the effectiveness of BCI systems. This study focuses on classifying motor and cognitive tasks using various models, including Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), one-dimensional Convolutional Neural Networks (1DCNNs), and a hybrid approach. The effectiveness of the models in classification tasks was evaluated using various metrics such as accuracy, recall, precision, and F1-score. Significantly, the hybrid model exhibited enhanced performance relative to the other models, achieving marked improvements in both classification accuracy and robustness. These results underscore the promise of MEG BCI technology for neurorehabilitation and stress the need for the development of sophisticated classification models to support the recovery of motor and cognitive abilities in people with neurological conditions. This study adds to the expanding research focused on enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals by utilizing innovative BCI solutions, leveraging the unique capabilities of MEG technology to enable more effective neurorehabilitation interventions.</span></p>

TMSA-Net:A novel attention mechanism for improved motor imagery EEG signal processing

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive method used to record the brain’s electrical activity, widely employed in brain-computer interface (BCI) applications for decoding motor imagery (MI) signals. Traditional models combining Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Transformers for decoding Motor Imagery Electroencephalography (MI-EEG) signals often struggle to capture the crucial interrelationships between local and global features effectively, resulting in suboptimal performance. To address this issue, we propose a novel computationally efficient model that integrates CNNs with a novel attention mechanism within the Transformer architecture. This approach effectively captures both local and global dependencies, thereby enhancing feature extraction and decoding accuracy. Evaluations against state-of-the-art models (EEGNet, Deep ConvNet, IFNet, Conformer) on three public datasets (BCIC-IV-2a, BCIC-IV-2b, HGD) reveal substantial performance enhancements. Specifically, our model achieves improvements in accuracy of 9.78%, 11.05%, 4.81%, and 3.75% over these models on the BCIC-IV-2a dataset. Ablation studies and visualization techniques (t-SNE, Grad-CAM) further corroborate the effectiveness and interpretability of our model, highlighting its superior decoding capabilities. The code is available at https://github.com/Whit3Zhao/TMSA-Net.git.

The Applications of Non-Invasive Brain-Computer Interfaces in Rehabilitation and Medical Field

With the advancement of neuroscience and computer technology, Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology has emerged as an innovative mode of human-computer interaction, garnering increasing attention from researchers and clinicians alike. BCI technology collects signals directly from the brain and translates them into control commands, providing individuals with disabilities a novel means of communication and control. This article aims to review the recent applications of non-invasive BCI in the fields of medical rehabilitation and assistive device control, exploring its potential in stroke rehabilitation, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, and medical assistance. By summarizing the latest research progress of non-invasive BCI in the aforementioned areas, this article analyzes its advantages in practical applications and the challenges it faces. Finally, this paper concludes with a summary and outlook, highlighting that the research presented herein not only provides better rehabilitation information for patients but also drives technological progress and societal development in related fields.

Wearable EEG Neurofeedback Based-on Machine Learning Algorithms for Children with Autism: A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study.

Behavioral interventions have been shown to ameliorate the electroencephalogram (EEG) dynamics underlying the behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while studies have also demonstrated that mirror neuron mu rhythm-based EEG neurofeedback training improves the behavioral functioning of individuals with ASD. This study aimed to test the effects of a wearable mu rhythm neurofeedback training system based on machine learning algorithms for children with autism. A randomized, placebo-controlled study was carried out on 60 participants aged 3 to 6 years who were diagnosed with autism, at two center-based intervention sites. The neurofeedback group received active mu rhythm neurofeedback training, while the control group received a sham neurofeedback training. Other behavioral intervention programs were similar between the two groups. After 60 sessions of treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in several domains including language, social and problem behavior. The neurofeedback group showed significantly greater improvements in expressive language (P=0.013) and cognitive awareness (including joint attention, P=0.003) than did the placebo-controlled group. Artificial intelligence-powered wearable EEG neurofeedback, as a type of brain-computer interface application, is a promising assistive technology that can provide targeted intervention for the core brain mechanisms underlying ASD symptoms.

Using data from cue presentations results in grossly overestimating semantic BCI performance

Neuroimaging studies have reported the possibility of semantic neural decoding to identify specific semantic concepts from neural activity. This offers promise for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for communication. However, translating these findings into a BCI paradigm has proven challenging. Existing EEG-based semantic decoding studies often rely on neural activity recorded when a cue is present, raising concerns about decoding reliability. To address this, we investigate the effects of cue presentation on EEG-based semantic decoding. In an experiment with a clear separation between cue presentation and mental task periods, we attempt to differentiate between semantic categories of animals and tools in four mental tasks. By using state-of-the-art decoding analyses, we demonstrate significant mean classification accuracies up to 71.3% during cue presentation but not during mental tasks, even with adapted analyses from previous studies. These findings highlight a potential issue when using neural activity recorded during cue presentation periods for semantic decoding. Additionally, our results show that semantic decoding without external cues may be more challenging than current state-of-the-art research suggests. By bringing attention to these issues, we aim to stimulate discussion and drive advancements in the field toward more effective semantic BCI applications.

Brain-computer interface applications in the aging population with Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease

Abstract. The rapidly aging population faces increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD), which significantly impair cognitive and motor functions. There is an urgent need for increased research, awareness, and development of effective treatments to mitigate their impact on the affected individuals and their families. This paper delves into the history, mechanisms, and applications of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) as innovative solutions to mitigate these impacts. BCIs enable direct brain-to-device communication, circumventing conventional neuromuscular routes. We highlight how neurofeedback and neuroplasticity facilitated by BCIs not only restore motor skills and cognitive functions but also enhance the overall quality of life for sufferers. Through applications in cognitive training, motor assistance, and advanced communication aids, BCIs present a significant promise despite the ethical and practical challenges they pose. The continual advancement of this technology promises to a future when its incorporation into treatment plans will be widely used and provide significant advantages for those with PD and AD.

Incremental Classification for High-Dimensional EEG Manifold Representation Using Bidirectional Dimensionality Reduction and Prototype Learning.

In brain-computer interface (BCI) systems, symmetric positive definite (SPD) manifold within Riemannian space has been frequently utilized to extract spatial features from electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. However, the intrinsic high dimensionality of SPD matrices introduces too much computational burden to hinder the real-time applications of such BCI, especially in handling dynamic tasks, like incremental learning. Directly reducing the dimensionality of SPD matrices with conventional dimensionality reduction (DR) methods will alter the fundamental properties of SPD matrices. Moreover, current DR methods for incremental learning always necessitate retaining old data to update their representations under new mapping. To this end, a bidirectional two-dimensional principal component analysis for SPD manifold (B2DPCA-SPD) is proposed to reduce the dimensionality of SPD matrices, in such way that the reduced matrices remain on SPD manifold. Afterwards, the B2DPCA-SPD is extended to adapt to incremental learning tasks without saving old data. The incremental B2DPCA-SPD can be seamlessly integrated with the matrix-formed growing neural gas network (MF-GNG) to achieve an incremental EEG classification, where the new low-dimensional representations of the prototypes in old classifiers can be easily recalculated with the updated projection matrix. Extensive experiments are conducted on two public datasets to perform the EEG classification. The results demonstrate that our method significantly reduces computation time by 38.53% and 35.96%, and outperforms conventional methods in classification accuracy by 4.21% to 19.59%.

Self-distillation with beta label smoothing-based cross-subject transfer learning for P300 classification

Background:The P300 speller is one of the most well-known brain-computer interface (BCI) systems, offering users a novel way to communicate with their environment by decoding brain activity. Problem:However, most P300-based BCI systems require a longer calibration phase to develop a subject-specific model, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming. Additionally, it is challenging to implement cross-subject P300 classification due to significant inter-individual variations. Method:To address these issues, this study proposes a calibration-free approach for P300 signal detection. Specifically, we incorporate self-distillation along with a beta label smoothing method to enhance model generalization and overall system performance, which can not only enable the distillation of informative knowledge from the electroencephalogram (EEG) data of other subjects but effectively reduce individual variability. Experimental results:The results conducted on the publicly available OpenBMI dataset demonstrate that the proposed method achieves statistically significantly higher performance compared to state-of-the-art approaches. Notably, the average character recognition accuracy of our method reaches up to 97.37% without the need for calibration. And information transfer rate and visualization further confirm its effectiveness. Significance:This method holds great promise for future developments in BCI applications.