Distraction impact of concurrent conversation on event-related potential based brain-computer interfaces

Objective. This study investigates the impact of conversation on the performance of visual event-related potential (ERP)-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), considering distractions in real life environment. The research aims to understand how cognitive distractions from speaking and listening activities affect ERP-BCI performance. Approach. The experiment employs a dual-task paradigm where participants control a smart light using visual ERP-BCIs while simultaneously conducting speaking or listening tasks. Main results. The findings reveal that speaking notably degrades BCI accuracy and the amplitude of ERP components, while increases the latency variability of ERP components and occipital alpha power. In contrast, listening and simple syllable repetition tasks have a lesser impact on these variables. The results suggest that speaking activity significantly distracts visual attentional processes critical for BCI operation Significance. This study highlights the need to take distractions by daily conversation into account of the design and implementation of ERP-BCIs.