Brain Mechanism in the Human-Computer Interaction Modes Leading to Different Motor Performance

Motor performances in some of the neurological diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's are damaged. Improvement of this deficiency typically requires intensive treatments in a long period of time. Although various rehabilitation techniques could be used for this purpose, among them the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) based methods seem promising due to affordability and availability of personal computers. Interaction is achieved through various media among which are Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). It is still unclear which mode offers more efficient treatment. In this study, we hypothesized that AR provides a more efficient environment for Upper Limb (UL) motor action. Therefore, the performance of 20 healthy individuals compared in the AR and VR environments while playing a Fruit Ninja game. Simultaneously, the subjects' EEG data were also recorded using a 32-channel system. Our results demonstrated that subjects have a higher score and a faster performance in the AR mode as compared to VR. In addition, comparison of the cleaned EEG power spectrum in the AR and VR mode revealed smaller Alpha at the right frontal region and right temporal and higher beta at the right frontal region and right temporal in the AR as compared toVR.