A Review on the Use of Wearable Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Naturalistic Environments

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Conventional functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) has established its utility in diverse brain imaging studies.
• Miniaturized, wireless, and wearable fNIRS devices offer unprecedented opportunities for cognitive research.
• Wearable fNIRS overcomes limitations of traditional neuroimaging, enabling studies in naturalistic environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review studies utilizing wearable fNIRS in naturalistic settings within cognitive neuroscience.
• To identify and discuss challenges associated with wearable fNIRS in unrestrained contexts.
• To outline future perspectives for wearable fNIRS applications in cognitive neuroscience.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies employing wearable fNIRS in naturalistic settings.
• Analysis of challenges and proposed solutions for data acquisition and interpretation.
• Exploration of emerging applications and future research directions.

Main Results:

• Wearable fNIRS facilitates brain activity monitoring during everyday activities, expanding research possibilities.
• Key challenges include motion artifacts, signal quality, and data interpretation in dynamic environments.
• Solutions involve advanced signal processing techniques and innovative hardware designs.

Conclusions:

• Wearable fNIRS represents a significant advancement for cognitive neuroscience, enabling ecologically valid research.
• Addressing current challenges will further enhance the accuracy and applicability of this technology.
• Future research holds immense potential for understanding brain function in real-world scenarios.