Detection of motor-related mu rhythm desynchronization by ear EEG

TL;DR

This study shows that ear EEG can detect brain activity changes during hand movements, which could help improve rehabilitation strategies.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the feasibility of using ear EEG to detect mu rhythm desynchronization during motor tasks.

Findings

Significant difference in mu rhythm power between rest and movement conditions was observed.

Suppression in the 9–12.5 Hz frequency band during hand movement was detected.

Ear EEG is shown to be useful for monitoring motor-related brain activity.

Abstract

Event-related desynchronization (ERD) of the mu rhythm (8–13 Hz) is an important indicator of motor execution, neurofeedback, and brain-computer interface in EEG. This study investigated the feasibility of an ear electroencephalography (EEG) device monitoring mu-ERD during hand grasp and release movements. The EEG data of the right hand movement and the eye opened resting condition were measured with an ear EEG device. We calculated and compared mu rhythm power and time-frequency data from 20 healthy participants during right hand movement and eye opened resting. Our results showed a significant difference of mean mu rhythm power between the eye opened rest condition and the right hand movement condition and significant suppression in the 9–12.5 Hz frequency band in the time-frequency data. These results support the utility of ear EEG in detecting motor activity-related mu-ERD. Ear EEG could be instrumental in refining rehabilitation strategies by providing in-situ assessment of motor function and tailored feedback.

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