Non-invasive decoding of hand movements from electroencephalography based on a hierarchical linear regression model

A non-invasive brain–computer interface (BCI) is an assistive technology with basic communication and control capabilities that decodes continuous electroencephalography (EEG) signals generated by the human brain and converts them into commands to control external devices naturally. However, the decoding efficiency is limited at present because it is unclear which decoding parameters can be used to effectively improve the overall decoding performance. In this paper, five subjects performed experiments involving self-initiated upper-limb movements during three experimental phases. The decoding method based on a hierarchical linear regression (HLR) model was devised to investigate the influence of decoding efficiency according to the characteristic parameters of brain functional networks. Then the optimal set of channels and most sensitive frequency bands were selected using the p value from a Kruskal–Wallis test in the experimental phases. Eventually, the trajectories of free movement and conical helix movement could be decoded using HLR. The experimental result showed that the Pearson correlation coefficient (R) between the measured and decoded paths is 0.66 with HLR, which was higher than the value of 0.46 obtained with the multiple linear regression model. The HLR from a decoding efficiency perspective holds promise for the development of EEG-based BCI to aid in the restoration of hand movements in post-stroke rehabilitation.