Effects of Feedback Latency on P300-based Brain-computer Interface

TL;DR

This study systematically investigates how feedback latency influences the performance and neural patterns of P300-based BCIs, demonstrating that timely feedback enhances accuracy and ERP discrimination in BCI speller tasks.

Contribution

First to assess the impact of feedback timing on P300-based BCI performance and ERP patterns, showing that short-interval feedback improves BCI accuracy.

Findings

Feedback significantly improves BCI speller performance.

Short feedback intervals (4-6 flashes) are most effective.

Feedback enhances relevant ERP patterns and reduces irrelevant ones.

Abstract

Feedback has been shown to affect performance when using a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) based on sensorimotor rhythms. In contrast, little is known about the influence of feedback on P300-based BCIs. There is still an open question whether feedback affects the regulation of P300 and consequently the operation of P300-based BCIs. In this paper, for the first time, the influence of feedback on the P300-based BCI speller task is systematically assessed. For this purpose, 24 healthy participants performed the classic P300-based BCI speller task, while only half of them received feedback. Importantly, the number of flashes per letter was reduced on a regular basis in order to increase the frequency of providing feedback. Experimental results showed that feedback could significantly improve the P300-based BCI speller performance, if it was provided in short time intervals (e.g. in sequences as short as 4 to 6 flashes per row/column). Moreover, our offline analysis showed that providing feedback remarkably enhanced the relevant ERP patterns and attenuated the irrelevant ERP patterns, such that the discrimination between target and nontarget EEG trials increased.