Effect of a Brain-Computer Interface Based on Pedaling Motor Imagery on Cortical Excitability and Connectivity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Brain-Computer Interfaces

Background:

• Cycling-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) show promise for lower-limb rehabilitation.
• Understanding brain activity, specifically sensory motor rhythms and connectivity, is crucial for interpreting BCI effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze sensory motor rhythms and cortical connectivity during a reactive motor imagery (MI) BCI with passive pedaling feedback.
• To investigate brain responses in healthy subjects using an electroencephalography (EEG)-based BCI.

Main Methods:

• Eight healthy subjects performed pedaling MI to control an EEG-based BCI with a motorized pedal.
• EEG data were analyzed during resting, MI calibration, MI online, and passive pedaling feedback.
• Event-related desynchronization (ERD) and brain connectivity were assessed.

Main Results:

• Significant event-related desynchronization (ERD) in the foot area (around Cz) was observed during MI and passive pedaling, particularly in the low beta band.
• Brain connectivity analysis revealed information exchange between the supplementary motor area (SMA) and parietal regions.
• Primary motor cortex activation was identified in most participants.

Conclusions:

• Pedaling MI combined with passive feedback elicits distinct sensory motor rhythm changes and SMA-parietal connectivity.
• These findings support the use of BCIs with passive feedback for motor recovery applications.
• The study highlights the neural mechanisms underlying BCI-controlled lower-limb movement.