On the Use of Games for Noninvasive EEG-Based Functional Brain Mapping

The use of statistical models and statistical inference for characterizing the interplay between brain structures and human behavior (functional brain mapping) is common in neuroscience. Statistical methods, however, require the availability of sufficiently large data sets. As a result, experimental paradigms used to collect behavioral trials from individuals are data centered and not user centered. This means that experimental paradigms are tuned to collect as many trials as possible, are generally rather demanding, and are not always motivating or engaging for individuals. Subject cooperation and their compliance with the task may decrease over time. Whenever possible, paradigms are designed to control for factors such as fatigue, attention, and motivation. In this paper, we propose the use of the Kinect motion tracking sensor (Microsoft, Inc., Redmond, WA, USA) in a game-based paradigm for noninvasive electroencephalogram (EEG)-based functional motor mapping. Results from an experimental study with able-bodied subjects playing a virtual ball game suggest that the Kinect sensor is useful for isolating specific movements during the interaction with the game, and that the computed EEG patterns for hand and feet movements are in agreement with results described in the literature.