The influence of motivation and emotion on sensorimotor rhythm-based brain-computer interface performance

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Psychology

Background:

• Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) show technical advancements but lack understanding of psychological influences.
• Investigating psychological factors is crucial for optimizing BCI use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how extrinsic motivation (monetary reward) and emotional state influence sensorimotor rhythm (SMR)-based BCI performance.
• To assess behavioral and psychophysiological changes associated with these manipulations.

Main Methods:

• 35 healthy students participated in the study.
• Motivation was manipulated using monetary rewards.
• Emotional state was altered using videos and music.
• Performance was measured using behavioral and psychophysiological indicators of SMR-based BCI.

Main Results:

• Extrinsically motivated participants showed increased task-related brain activity compared to nonmotivated participants.
• Emotional state manipulation did not yield clear effects on BCI performance.
• Behavioral and psychophysiological measures indicated performance differences linked to motivation.

Conclusions:

• Extrinsic motivation, specifically monetary reward, positively impacts brain activity during BCI use in healthy individuals.
• Emotional state manipulation appears to have a limited short-term effect on SMR-based BCI performance.
• Further research is needed to understand the implications for patients, particularly those in a locked-in state.