Applications of functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy as a Brain Optical Imaging Modality for Rehabilitation

A functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) -which is a non-invasive modality to measure hemodynamics of cortices-is today the frequently reported optical brain imaging method for rehabilitation. Neuroimaging studies such as with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) have been very confined due to a motion limitation of subject at their measuring facilities. But fNIRS can be quite suitable to study in the motor function task because it can measure brain activations on allowing subject's motion. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive approach for optimal strategies of motor rehabilitation. First, we will introduce the general information of fNIRS and the applications of fNIRS in rehabilitation tasks and effects are reviewed in this field so far. And we showed a feasibility study conducted to explore the experience of fNIRS in several motor executions and fNIRS integrated brain computer interaction. Finally, we provide a brief discussion of suggestions for fNIRS in rehabilitation. fNIRS is still a new technique in stroke rehabilitation, this review and our preliminary studies indicate that brain imaging using fNIRS has great potential to provide finding of brain function and organization under various motor recovery rehabilitation tasks after stroke.