R Scherer et al 2007 J. Neural Eng. 4 L23 doi:10.1088/1741-2560/4/4/L01
R Scherer, G R Müller-Putz and G Pfurtscheller
Show affiliationsSelf-initiation, that is the ability of a brain–computer interface (BCI) user to autonomously switch on and off the system, is a very important issue. In this work we analyze whether the respiratory heart rate response, induced by brisk inspiration, can be used as an additional communication channel. After only 20 min of feedback training, ten healthy subjects were able to self-initiate and operate a 4-class steady-state visual evoked potential-based (SSVEP) BCI by using one bipolar ECG and one bipolar EEG channel only. Threshold detection was used to measure a beat-to-beat heart rate increase. Despite this simple method, during a 30 min evaluation period on average only 2.9 non-intentional switches (heart rate changes) were detected.
87.80.-y Biophysical techniques (research methods)
42.66.Ew Physiology of eye; optic-nerve structure and function
87.19.R- Mechanical and electrical properties of tissues and organs
Instrumentation and measurement
Issue 4 (December 2007)
Received 20 July 2007, accepted for publication 5 November 2007
Published 27 November 2007
R Scherer et al 2007 J. Neural Eng. 4 L23
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