The influence of central neuropathic pain in paraplegic patients on performance of a motor imagery based brain computer interface

Vuckovic, A. , Hasan, M.A., Osuagwu, B., Fraser, M., Allan, D.B., Conway, B.A. and Nasseroleslami, B. (2015) The influence of central neuropathic pain in paraplegic patients on performance of a motor imagery based brain computer interface. Clinical Neurophysiology, 126(11), pp. 2170-2180. (doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2014.12.033) (PMID:25698307)

Abstract

<b>Objective</b> The aim of this study was to test how the presence of Central Neuropathic Pain (CNP) influences the performance of a motor imagery based Brain Computer Interface (BCI).<p></p> <b>Methods</b> In this electroencephalography (EEG) based study, we tested BCI classification accuracy and analysed event related desynchronisation (ERD) in 3 groups of volunteers during imagined movements of their arms and legs. The groups comprised of nine able-bodied people, ten paraplegic patients with CNP (lower abdomen and legs) and nine paraplegic patients without CNP. We tested two types of classifiers: a 3 channel bipolar montage and classifiers based on Common Spatial Patterns (CSPs), with varying number of channels and CSPs<p></p> <b>Results</b> Paraplegic patients with CNP achieved higher classification accuracy and had stronger ERD than paraplegic patients with no pain for all classifier configurations. Highest 2-class classification accuracy was achieved for CSP classifier covering wider cortical area: 82±7% for patients with CNP, 82±4% for able-bodied and 78±5% for patients with no pain.<p></p> <b>Conclusion</b> Presence of CNP improves BCI classification accuracy due to stronger and more distinct ERD.<p></p> <b>Significance</b> Results of the study show that CNP is an important confounding factor influencing the performance of motor imagery based BCI based on ERD.<p></p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hasan, Mr Muhammad and Vuckovic, Dr Aleksandra
• Authors: Vuckovic, A., Hasan, M.A., Osuagwu, B., Fraser, M., Allan, D.B., Conway, B.A., and Nasseroleslami, B.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Clinical Neurophysiology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1388-2457
• ISSN (Online): 1872-8952
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Clinical Neurophysiology 126(11):2170-2180
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
53393	1	Neurofeedback for treatent of neuropathic pain in patients with spinal cord injury	Aleksandra Vuckovic	Medical Research Council (MRC)	G0902257	ENG - BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING