Event-related desynchronization possibly discriminates the kinesthetic illusion induced by visual stimulation from movement observation

Visual stimulation of a repetitive self-movement image can evoke kinesthetic illusion when a virtual body part is set over the actual body part (kinesthetic illusion induced by visual stimulation, KINVIS). KINVIS induces activity in cerebral network, similar to that produced during motor execution, and triggers motor imagery passively. This study sought to identify a biomarker of KINVIS using event-related desynchronization (ERD) to improve the application of KINVIS to brain-machine interface (BMI) therapy of patients with stroke with hemiparesis. We included healthy adults in whom KINVIS could be induced. Scalp electroencephalograms were recorded during the KINVIS condition, where KINVIS was induced using a self-movement image. The findings were compared to signals recorded during an observation (OB) condition where only the self-movement image was viewed. For the signal intensity of the alpha- and low beta-frequency bands, we calculated ERD during a movie period. The ERD of the alpha-frequency band in P3 and CP3 during KINVIS was significantly higher than that during OB. Furthermore, using the ERD of the alpha-frequency band recorded from FC3 and CP3, we could discriminate illusory perception with a 70% success rate. In this study, KINVIS could be detected using the ERD of the alpha-frequency band recorded from the posterior portion of the sensorimotor cortex. Furthermore, adding ERD recorded from FC3 to that recorded from CP3 may enable the objective discrimination of KINVIS from OB. When applying KINVIS in BMI therapy, the combination ERD of FC3 and CP3 will become a parameter for objectively judging the degree of kinesthetic perception achieved.