The effects of foot and leg motor imageries on sensorimotor rhythms in EEG

Abstract

For the sake of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) neurorehabilitation, an EEG feature, event-related (de)-synchronization (ERD/S) caused by motor imagery (MI) is widely used. However, its availability and reliability are limited. Thus, a neurofeedback training is required for the use of the BCI system. To find an effective training condition of the MI-based BCI neurorehabilitation system for lower extremity, in this study, we investigated two types of MIs: foot dorsiflexion and leg extension. As the result, a clear trend toward significant difference (p = 0.057) was found between foot and leg motor imageries. It suggests that foot-MI might cause larger beta ERD than leg-MI.