Open-access multidistance fNIRS dataset generated during ball-squeezing and motion-artifact induction tasks

Although multidistance functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) features higher spatial resolution and depth specificity compared with sparse fNIRS arrays, no open-access multidistance fNIRS dataset is available for motor and motion-artifact induction tasks.

In this data descriptor, we introduce an open-access, multidistance fNIRS dataset to facilitate algorithm development and validation.

The dataset was collected from 12 healthy young adults using a multidistance probe placed over the bilateral motor cortex. The experimental protocol included resting state task, ball-squeezing task, and motion-artifact induction task. Signal quality and motion artifact were quantitatively assessed using signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), motion artifact ratio (MAR), channel pruning statistics, and coefficient of variation (c.v.) across shorter (19 mm) and longer (32.9 mm) channels. The motion-artifact induction task was characterized using percent signal change, HbO/HbR concentration changes, and accelerometer data across six motion types.

Both resting and ball-squeezing tasks induced higher SNR and lower MAR than motion-artifact induction task. Shorter channels exhibited significantly higher SNR than longer channels during resting state. Unilateral ball-squeezing motion-induced oxy-hemoglobin increases in the contralateral motor cortex. Tilting up produced the largest and saying hello produced the smallest artifact across the six motion types. Head-tilting motions produced larger accelerometer changes than facial motions.

We expect that this open-access dataset will accelerate the development and validation of algorithms specifically designed for multidistance fNIRS.