High Aptitude Motor Imagery BCI Users Have Better Visuospatial Memory

TL;DR

This study investigates how visuospatial memory and spatial abilities influence motor imagery BCI performance, finding that visuospatial memory correlates with higher aptitude, which can inform training optimization.

Contribution

It reveals that visuospatial memory, but not spatial abilities, predicts MI BCI aptitude, suggesting new directions for user screening and training enhancement.

Findings

Visuospatial memory correlates with MI BCI performance.

Spatial abilities measured by Mental Rotation Test are not related.

High aptitude users have better visuospatial memory.

Abstract

Brain computer interfaces (BCI) decode the electrophysiological signals from the brain into an action that is carried out by a computer or robotic device. Motor imagery BCIs (MI BCI) rely on the user s imagination of bodily movements, however not all users can generate the brain activity needed to control MI BCI. This difference in MI BCI performance among novice users could be due to their cognitive abilities. In this study, the impact of spatial abilities and visuospatial memory on MI BCI performance is investigated. Fifty four novice users participated in a MI BCI task and two cognitive tests. The impact of spatial abilities and visuospatial memory on BCI task error rate in three feedback sessions was measured. Our results showed that spatial abilities, as assessed by the Mental Rotation Test, were not related to MI BCI performance, however visuospatial memory, assessed by the design organization test, was higher in high aptitude users. Our findings can contribute to optimization of MI BCI training paradigms through participant screening and cognitive skill training.