Exploring multidimensional brain mechanisms in robot-assisted surgical simulation
The introduction of robotic-assisted surgical systems has revolutionized surgical procedures; however, current training programs often overlook the role of brain activity during surgery, making it challenging to detect cognitive differences between surgeons. To address this gap, this paper designed...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | NeuroImage |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811925002976 |
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| author | Haoxin Cui Yujing Liang Fankai Sun Desheng Li Xiangqing Wang Rong Wang Nan Zheng |
| author_facet | Haoxin Cui Yujing Liang Fankai Sun Desheng Li Xiangqing Wang Rong Wang Nan Zheng |
| author_sort | Haoxin Cui |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The introduction of robotic-assisted surgical systems has revolutionized surgical procedures; however, current training programs often overlook the role of brain activity during surgery, making it challenging to detect cognitive differences between surgeons. To address this gap, this paper designed an experimental task closely resembling real surgical scenarios using a robotic surgical simulation system. The study introduced Principal Component Analysis (PCA) weights and Mahalanobis distance as metrics for identifying cognitive differences, with a focus on investigating the brain mechanisms underlying varying levels of surgical proficiency in terms of frequency domain, neural connectivity, and graph theory. Frequency domain analyses revealed that experienced surgeons exhibited greater activation in the alpha bands of the prefrontal cortex (Fp1, Fp2), occipital cortex (O1, O2), and midline parietal cortex (Pz) during task execution, compared to less experienced surgeons. Connectivity analysis indicated that high-level surgeons demonstrated superior neural efficiency, characterized by weaker localized activity but enhanced global integration of brain regions. Graph theoretical analyses further highlighted differences in network organization, with higher-level surgeons achieving a balanced interplay between local specialization and global integration of brain networks. Finally, classification and ablation experiments confirmed that the EEG features identified in this study effectively differentiate surgeons based on their operational expertise. These findings provide valuable insights into the underlying brain mechanisms involved in surgical proficiency and offer potential applications for supporting surgeon training and objective assessment of surgical skills. This research paves the way for the development of more targeted training programs for robotic surgery, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of skill development and performance evaluation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3b3bca96274841e8895e8a0722942b41 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1095-9572 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | NeuroImage |
| spelling | doaj-art-3b3bca96274841e8895e8a0722942b412025-08-20T02:20:37ZengElsevierNeuroImage1095-95722025-08-0131712129410.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121294Exploring multidimensional brain mechanisms in robot-assisted surgical simulationHaoxin Cui0Yujing Liang1Fankai Sun2Desheng Li3Xiangqing Wang4Rong Wang5Nan Zheng6School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, ChinaDepartment of Adult Cardiac Surgery, the Sixth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, ChinaSchool of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China; Corresponding authors.Department of Adult Cardiac Surgery, the Sixth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China; Corresponding authors.State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China; School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Corresponding authors.The introduction of robotic-assisted surgical systems has revolutionized surgical procedures; however, current training programs often overlook the role of brain activity during surgery, making it challenging to detect cognitive differences between surgeons. To address this gap, this paper designed an experimental task closely resembling real surgical scenarios using a robotic surgical simulation system. The study introduced Principal Component Analysis (PCA) weights and Mahalanobis distance as metrics for identifying cognitive differences, with a focus on investigating the brain mechanisms underlying varying levels of surgical proficiency in terms of frequency domain, neural connectivity, and graph theory. Frequency domain analyses revealed that experienced surgeons exhibited greater activation in the alpha bands of the prefrontal cortex (Fp1, Fp2), occipital cortex (O1, O2), and midline parietal cortex (Pz) during task execution, compared to less experienced surgeons. Connectivity analysis indicated that high-level surgeons demonstrated superior neural efficiency, characterized by weaker localized activity but enhanced global integration of brain regions. Graph theoretical analyses further highlighted differences in network organization, with higher-level surgeons achieving a balanced interplay between local specialization and global integration of brain networks. Finally, classification and ablation experiments confirmed that the EEG features identified in this study effectively differentiate surgeons based on their operational expertise. These findings provide valuable insights into the underlying brain mechanisms involved in surgical proficiency and offer potential applications for supporting surgeon training and objective assessment of surgical skills. This research paves the way for the development of more targeted training programs for robotic surgery, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of skill development and performance evaluation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811925002976EEGBrain mechanismsRobot-assisted surgerySkills assessment |
| spellingShingle | Haoxin Cui Yujing Liang Fankai Sun Desheng Li Xiangqing Wang Rong Wang Nan Zheng Exploring multidimensional brain mechanisms in robot-assisted surgical simulation NeuroImage EEG Brain mechanisms Robot-assisted surgery Skills assessment |
| title | Exploring multidimensional brain mechanisms in robot-assisted surgical simulation |
| title_full | Exploring multidimensional brain mechanisms in robot-assisted surgical simulation |
| title_fullStr | Exploring multidimensional brain mechanisms in robot-assisted surgical simulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring multidimensional brain mechanisms in robot-assisted surgical simulation |
| title_short | Exploring multidimensional brain mechanisms in robot-assisted surgical simulation |
| title_sort | exploring multidimensional brain mechanisms in robot assisted surgical simulation |
| topic | EEG Brain mechanisms Robot-assisted surgery Skills assessment |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811925002976 |
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