Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2025
08:19
Simultaneous Data Collection of fMRI and fNIRS Measurements Using a Whole-Head Optode Array and Short-Distance Channels
Published on: October 20, 2023
1.1K
Demographic reporting and phenotypic exclusion in fNIRS
Jasmine Kwasa1, Hannah M Peterson2, Kavon Karrobi3
1Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|May 25, 2023
Summary
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) shows potential but faces inclusivity issues. Studies reveal poor reporting of skin tone and hair type, risking exclusion of diverse populations, particularly Black individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Optics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a portable, low-cost neuroimaging technique.
- Concerns exist regarding fNIRS inclusivity for diverse skin tones and hair types.
- Melanin in skin and hair can attenuate near-infrared light, impacting signal quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess reporting of fNIRS performance variability across skin tones and hair textures.
- To determine if fNIRS neuroscience studies report participant demographics and phenotypes.
- To identify potential participant exclusion patterns in fNIRS literature, similar to EEG.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of top Biomedical Optics and Human Neuroscience journals.
- Analysis of reporting practices for fNIRS hardware, analysis methods, and participant characteristics.
- Examination of demographic and phenotypic data inclusion in fNIRS research.
Main Results:
- Demographic and phenotypic reporting is infrequent in both fNIRS development and neuroscience applications.
- Lack of reporting suggests potential for disproportionate exclusion of individuals with darker skin tones and certain hair types.
- Similar patterns of participant exclusion seen in EEG may be present in fNIRS literature.
Conclusions:
- fNIRS research and development must address inclusivity for diverse populations.
- Recommendations include inclusive best practices, improved reporting standards, and engagement with underrepresented researchers.
- Achieving an inclusive neuroscience enterprise requires attention to phenotypic and demographic factors in fNIRS and other modalities.
