Influence of Word Presentation via Stereo Loudspeakers in an Auditory ERP Paradigm for Brain-Computer Interfaces

Keywords

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Issue Date

2022-07-04

Language

en

Document type

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Title

ISSN

Volume

Issue

Startpage

Endpage

DOI

Abstract

Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) allow users to interact or communicate with their environment without depending on motoric output pathways. By classifying and translating neurophysiological signals into command signals for an external device, BCI users can control applications such as a wheelchair, spelling program, or prosthesis. Auditory BCI systems detect attention to auditory stimuli based on the event-related potentials in electroencephalography (EEG) signals. These auditory BCI systems can be used for cognitive rehabilitation. Musso et al. (2022) developed a novel language training paradigm for aphasia rehabilitation in stroke patients using an EEG-based BCI system. In their approach, patients are given individual and immediate brain-state-dependent feedback during an auditory detection task, which serves as an indicator of their task success. Hence, the approach exploits the notion that reinforcing an appropriate language processing strategy may induce beneficial brain plasticity. During the language training task, patients sit in a ring of six loudspeaker, which present the auditory stimuli. However, his set-up is not feasible for at home- or practitioner-based training. Therefore, the present study will explore the possibility of a simplified audio set-up with stereo headphones by investigating the differences in offline classification accuracy and ERP components in the described experimental set-up. In a within-subject study design, eight healthy participants tested the proposed BCI paradigm in four audio conditions: six loudspeakers, stereo headphones, stereo headphones incorporating pitch, and mono headphones. Results show that the stereo headphones incorporating pitch are comparable to the six loudspeakers in terms of offline classification accuracy.

Description

Citation

Faculty

Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen