Developing an inclusive approach to fNIRS research in women of color

Acknowledgement of a lack of inclusivity in human subjects-focused wearable neuroimaging research has emerged in recent years due to a number of common practices. Women of color are most negatively impacted by this systemic exclusion in wearable neuroimaging research, specifically with respect to functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) research.

We aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of holistic and inclusive practices in the recruitment and retention of women of color in an fNIRS research study.

The development of inclusive approaches involves consideration of study design elements, study participant recruitment and retention, pre-fNIRS session assessment considerations, and adjustments to data collection practices during fNIRS assessment. Approaches taken in each of these study stages are described.

All participants remained enrolled and participated in the study through the online survey (S0), first in-person session (S1), and second in-person (fNIRS) session (S2), leading to a study retention rate of 100%.

The inclusion of four key recommendations in addition to prior recommendations can help reduce exclusionary practices in human subjects-focused fNIRS research, particularly in recruiting and retaining women of color. Improvement of this approach is expected through iterative modifications and the inclusion of additional holistic practices.