Adaptive Neurofeedback Training Using a Virtual Reality Game Enhances Motor Imagery Performance in Brain–Computer Interfaces

Neurofeedback training (NFT) has been widely used in motor rehabilitation. However, NFT combined with motor imagery-based brain-computer interface (MI-BCI) faces challenges such as mental fatigue and non-personalized training strategies. Therefore, we proposed an adaptive NFT based on a VR game that...

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Main Authors: Kun Wang, Yuwei Liu, Feifan Tian, Weibo Yi, Yang Zhang, Tzyy-Ping Jung, Minpeng Xu, Dong Ming
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering
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Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11097354/
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author Kun Wang
Yuwei Liu
Feifan Tian
Weibo Yi
Yang Zhang
Tzyy-Ping Jung
Minpeng Xu
Dong Ming
author_facet Kun Wang
Yuwei Liu
Feifan Tian
Weibo Yi
Yang Zhang
Tzyy-Ping Jung
Minpeng Xu
Dong Ming
author_sort Kun Wang
collection DOAJ
description Neurofeedback training (NFT) has been widely used in motor rehabilitation. However, NFT combined with motor imagery-based brain-computer interface (MI-BCI) faces challenges such as mental fatigue and non-personalized training strategies. Therefore, we proposed an adaptive NFT based on a VR game that simulates real-life motor tasks to improve training efficiency. We conducted a detailed comparative analysis of the efficiency of the VR-based NFT and traditional Graz-based NFT. Forty-eight healthy subjects were randomly assigned to five groups and underwent various NFT protocols. Among them, the subjects in the four experimental groups were required to perform the NFT three times over five days, including virtual or real scenarios, as well as unilateral or bilateral hands training. We evaluated training effects by analyzing EEG features and classification performance, while online recognition duration served as the primary measure for assessing the adaptive NFT strategy. EEG analysis showed that VR-based NFT significantly enhanced the Event-related desynchronization (ERD) activations in the sensorimotor cortices over five days. The VR-based NFT group achieved a classification accuracy of 81.85%, representing a 10.14% improvement from baseline, which exceeded the 6.43% increase observed in the Graz-based NFT group. Furthermore, implementing the adaptive NFT strategy reduced the mean task duration by over 30% compared to the fixed-time training protocol. The results demonstrated that the adaptive MI-BCI-based NFT in a VR game achieves superior training outcomes while reducing training duration. These findings suggest the promising potential for applying MI-BCI NFT with VR games in motor rehabilitation following a stroke.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher IEEE
record_format Article
series IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering
spelling doaj-art-e6b8df2d6e3542b0b32896f2e614ef002025-08-20T04:00:34ZengIEEEIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering1534-43201558-02102025-01-01332956296610.1109/TNSRE.2025.359298811097354Adaptive Neurofeedback Training Using a Virtual Reality Game Enhances Motor Imagery Performance in Brain–Computer InterfacesKun Wang0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9365-5107Yuwei Liu1https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9667-0341Feifan Tian2Weibo Yi3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7122-1172Yang Zhang4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3086-2432Tzyy-Ping Jung5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8377-2166Minpeng Xu6https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6746-4828Dong Ming7https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8192-2538Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical School, Tianjin University, Tianjin, ChinaAcademy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical School, Tianjin University, Tianjin, ChinaAcademy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical School, Tianjin University, Tianjin, ChinaBeijing Institute of Mechanical Equipment, Beijing, ChinaRehabilitation and Physical Therapy Department, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaAcademy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical School, Tianjin University, Tianjin, ChinaAcademy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical School, Tianjin University, Tianjin, ChinaAcademy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical School, Tianjin University, Tianjin, ChinaNeurofeedback training (NFT) has been widely used in motor rehabilitation. However, NFT combined with motor imagery-based brain-computer interface (MI-BCI) faces challenges such as mental fatigue and non-personalized training strategies. Therefore, we proposed an adaptive NFT based on a VR game that simulates real-life motor tasks to improve training efficiency. We conducted a detailed comparative analysis of the efficiency of the VR-based NFT and traditional Graz-based NFT. Forty-eight healthy subjects were randomly assigned to five groups and underwent various NFT protocols. Among them, the subjects in the four experimental groups were required to perform the NFT three times over five days, including virtual or real scenarios, as well as unilateral or bilateral hands training. We evaluated training effects by analyzing EEG features and classification performance, while online recognition duration served as the primary measure for assessing the adaptive NFT strategy. EEG analysis showed that VR-based NFT significantly enhanced the Event-related desynchronization (ERD) activations in the sensorimotor cortices over five days. The VR-based NFT group achieved a classification accuracy of 81.85%, representing a 10.14% improvement from baseline, which exceeded the 6.43% increase observed in the Graz-based NFT group. Furthermore, implementing the adaptive NFT strategy reduced the mean task duration by over 30% compared to the fixed-time training protocol. The results demonstrated that the adaptive MI-BCI-based NFT in a VR game achieves superior training outcomes while reducing training duration. These findings suggest the promising potential for applying MI-BCI NFT with VR games in motor rehabilitation following a stroke.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11097354/Electroencephalography (EEG)motor imagery-based brain–computer interface (MI-BCI)neurofeedback training (NFT)adaptive NFT strategyvirtual reality game
spellingShingle Kun Wang
Yuwei Liu
Feifan Tian
Weibo Yi
Yang Zhang
Tzyy-Ping Jung
Minpeng Xu
Dong Ming
Adaptive Neurofeedback Training Using a Virtual Reality Game Enhances Motor Imagery Performance in Brain–Computer Interfaces
IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering
Electroencephalography (EEG)
motor imagery-based brain–computer interface (MI-BCI)
neurofeedback training (NFT)
adaptive NFT strategy
virtual reality game
title Adaptive Neurofeedback Training Using a Virtual Reality Game Enhances Motor Imagery Performance in Brain–Computer Interfaces
title_full Adaptive Neurofeedback Training Using a Virtual Reality Game Enhances Motor Imagery Performance in Brain–Computer Interfaces
title_fullStr Adaptive Neurofeedback Training Using a Virtual Reality Game Enhances Motor Imagery Performance in Brain–Computer Interfaces
title_full_unstemmed Adaptive Neurofeedback Training Using a Virtual Reality Game Enhances Motor Imagery Performance in Brain–Computer Interfaces
title_short Adaptive Neurofeedback Training Using a Virtual Reality Game Enhances Motor Imagery Performance in Brain–Computer Interfaces
title_sort adaptive neurofeedback training using a virtual reality game enhances motor imagery performance in brain x2013 computer interfaces
topic Electroencephalography (EEG)
motor imagery-based brain–computer interface (MI-BCI)
neurofeedback training (NFT)
adaptive NFT strategy
virtual reality game
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11097354/
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