Neuroergonomic Assessment of Wheelchair Control Using Mobile fNIRS

Abstract

For over two centuries, the wheelchair has been one of the most common assistive devices for individuals with locomotor impairments without much modifications. Wheelchair control is a complex motor task that increases both the physical and cognitive workload. New wheelchair interfaces, including Power Assisted devices, can further augment users by reducing the required physical effort, however little is known on the mental effort implications. In this study, we adopted a neuroergonomic approach utilizing mobile and wireless functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) based brain monitoring of physically active participants. 48 volunteers (30 novice and 18 experienced) selfpropelled on a wheelchair with and without a PowerAssist interface in both simple and complex realistic environments. Results indicated that as expected, the complex, more difficult environment led to lower task performance complemented by higher prefrontal cortex activity compared to the simple environment. The use of the PowerAssist feature had significantly lower brain activation compared to traditional manual control only for novices. Expertise led to a lower brain activation pattern within the middle frontal gyrus, complemented by performance metrics that involve lower cognitive workload. Results here confirm the potential of the Neuroergonomic approach and that direct neural activity measures can complement and enhance task performance metrics. We conclude that the cognitive workload benefits of PowerAssist are more directed to new users and difficult settings. The approach demonstrated here can be utilized in future studies to enable greater personalization and understanding of mobility interfaces within real-world dynamic environments.

Mobile fNIRS for exploring inter-brain synchrony across generations and time

“…Even with larger table- or trolley-bound fNIRS systems, fNIRS signals can be recorded while participants engage in movements such as drumming or walking on the spot (Liu et al, 2021 ; Guérin et al, 2023 ). The recent advent of mobile fNIRS (lightweight systems with power sources in backpacks, on armbands or entirely encompassed in the cap, as well as lighter cabling or fibreless optodes) are enabling fNIRS recordings during whole body movements in real world environments (e.g., Pinti et al, 2015 , 2018 ; McKendrick et al, 2016 ; Carius et al, 2020 ; Joshi et al, 2020 ; Dybvik and Steinert, 2021 ).…”

Estimation of Respiratory Rate during Biking with a Single Sensor Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) System

“…More importantly, compared to other bio-signal monitoring techniques, fNIRS is more motion tolerant, i.e., the subject’s movements do not necessarily affect the quality of the data [ 8 , 9 ]. Due to its noninvasive and mobile nature, fNIRS also has the advantage of being usable in outdoor applications [ 10 ]. Indeed, the advent of lightweight single sensor fNIRS equipment has opened new doors for outdoor studies, and, in particular, fitness applications [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Estimation of Respiratory Rate from Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS): A New Perspective on Respiratory Interference

“…Beside the EEG, due to its portable and non-invasive nature, fNIRS has been also used for outdoor applications [ 9 ]. In particular, the emergence of lightweight low-channel fNIRS equipment has provided a new possibility for non-laborious investigations, e.g., sport studies [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”