Noninvasive Brain-Computer Interface: Decoding Arm Movement Kinematics and Motor Control

Over the last few decades, the advances in disciplines such as neuroscience and engineering have introduced the braincomputer interface (BCI) as a promising tool for neurorehabilitation and neurophysiology research. BCI research primarily aims at development of assistive and rehabilitation strategies for motor-impaired users and, hence, sensorimotor-rhythm (SMR)-based BCIs are widely explored. This type of BCI performs detection and interpretation of the neural activity underlying various user intentions, specifically related to movement, and translates these brain functionalities to the external environment without relying on normal neuromuscular pathways. The interfaced device thus achieves motor control directly from the neural activity. Motor-control BCIs investigate various aspects of human motor skills and have successfully identified neural patterns related to motor execution, imagination, and intention from bilateral limbs. In this article, we provide a summary of recent advances in motor control BCI, specifically in movement kinematics decoding and motor control of localized areas of the limb. We further discuss the research challenges and future scope of work in this area of research. © 2015 IEEE.