Cited by 207EEG and Brain-Computer InterfacesGaze Tracking and Assistive TechnologyEmotion and Mood Recognition

Machine-learning-based coadaptive calibration for brain-computer interfaces

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Vidaurre, Carmen, Sannelli, Claudia, Müller, Klaus-Robert, Blankertz, Benjamin·2011·Neural Computation

Abstract

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) allow users to control a computer application by brain activity as acquired (e.g., by EEG). In our classic machine learning approach to BCIs, the participants undertake a calibration measurement without feedback to acquire data to train the BCI system. After the training, the user can control a BCI and improve the operation through some type of feedback. However, not all BCI users are able to perform sufficiently well during feedback operation. In fact, a nonnegligible portion of participants (estimated 15%–30%) cannot control the system (a BCI illiteracy problem, generic to all motor-imagery-based BCIs). We hypothesize that one main difficulty for a BCI user is the transition from offline calibration to online feedback. In this work, we investigate adaptive machine learning methods to eliminate offline calibration and analyze the performance of 11 volunteers in a BCI based on the modulation of sensorimotor rhythms. We present an adaptation scheme that individually guides the user. It starts with a subject-independent classifier that evolves to a subject-optimized state-of-the-art classifier within one session while the user interacts continuously. These initial runs use supervised techniques for robust coadaptive learning of user and machine. Subsequent runs use unsupervised adaptation to track the features’ drift during the session and provide an unbiased measure of BCI performance. Using this approach, without any offline calibration, six users, including one novice, obtained good performance after 3 to 6 minutes of adaptation. More important, this novel guided learning also allows participants with BCI illiteracy to gain significant control with the BCI in less than 60 minutes. In addition, one volunteer without sensorimotor idle rhythm peak at the beginning of the BCI experiment developed it during the course of the session and used voluntary modulation of its amplitude to control the feedback application.

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Crossref · 10.1162/neco_a_00089

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  • Direct evidence of learned SMR modulation at the BCI feature level is rare or incomplete, derived in able-bodied populations and not longitudinal.

    “Direct evidence of learned SMR modulation at the BCI feature level is, in fact, rare or incomplete, derived in able-bodied populations and not longitudinal [10,23,26,28,38–41].”
  • Other studies have reported emergence of SMR modulations, but given the short number of experimental sessions, the observed neurophysiological patterns might only be indicative of transitory effects rather than consolidated subject learning.

    “Other studies have reported emergence of such SMR modulations [26,28,38,39], but given the short number of experimental sessions they carried out, the observed neurophysiological patterns might only be indicative of transitory effects rather than consolidated subject learning.”

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Authors
Vidaurre, C., Sannelli, C., Müller, K.-R., & Blankertz, B.
Affiliations
Technische Universität Berlin (DE)
Corresponding author
  • Vidaurre, Carmen
  • Sannelli, Claudia
  • Müller, Klaus-Robert
  • Blankertz, Benjamin
Venue
Neural Computation
Published
2011-03
Volume
23
Issue
3
Pages
791-816
ISSN
  • 0899-7667 (ISSN-L)
  • 1530-888X
OpenAlex
W2068654413
Cited by
207
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 22
FWCI
11.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
other-oa
Locations
  • Neural Computation (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • TECNALIA Publications (Fundación TECNALIA Research & Innovation) (submittedVersion, public-domain)
  • Fraunhofer-Publica (Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft) (submittedVersion)
  • Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Gaze Tracking and Assistive Technology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Emotion and Mood Recognition
Keywords
brain-computer interface, BCI illiteracy, motor imagery, sensorimotor rhythm, online adaptation, unsupervised adaptation, feature drift, EEG, novice users
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Physiological, Adaptation, Psychological, Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Brain, Calibration, Electroencephalography, Humans, Neuronal Plasticity, Feedback, Psychological, Brain-Computer Interfaces

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