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EEG-based communication: analysis of concurrent EMG activity

T M Vaughan1, L A Miner, D J McFarland

  • 1Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health and State University of New York, Albany 12201-0509, USA. vaughan@wadsworth.org

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology
|January 28, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Brain-computer interfaces using electroencephalography (EEG) control are not dependent on muscle activity. This finding supports EEG-based communication for individuals with severe motor impairments.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Recent studies show individuals can control electroencephalography (EEG) rhythms (mu or beta) over the sensorimotor cortex.
  • This control allows for cursor movement on a computer screen.
  • A potential confound is whether unconscious muscle activity contributes to EEG control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the contribution of concurrent muscle activity to EEG-based cursor control.
  • To determine if inapparent muscle contractions influence EEG rhythm changes.

Main Methods:

  • Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from 10 distal limb muscles.
  • Five trained subjects utilized mu or beta rhythms to control a cursor.
  • Cursor movement was directed towards targets on a computer screen.

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Main Results:

  • EMG activity during cursor control was minimal, averaging 4.0% of maximum voluntary contraction.
  • The correlation between target position and EMG activity was very low (r2 = 0.01).
  • This EMG-target correlation was significantly lower than the EEG-target correlation (r2 = 0.39).

Conclusions:

  • EEG-based cursor control is independent of concurrent muscle activity.
  • This research validates EEG as a potential augmentative communication method.
  • It offers a promising new option for individuals with severe motor disabilities.