The Use of NIRS in Monitoring Lower-Limb Motor Activation: A Study Comparing a Mobile and Research-Grade System

Abstract

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an optical imaging tool used to monitor neural activation through detecting changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin. This study aims to determine whether NIRS can be used to monitor neural activity associated with lower limb movements, as well as comparing the capacity to do so between a research-grade and mobile system. This marching task used was expected to elicit medial neural activity in the sensorimotor cortex. The blocks in this study differed based on the system used (NIRScout or Axem), as well as the position placement of the mobile device. Both devices showed changes in activation associated with lower limb moments. The research-grade device showed a greater capacity to detect change in activity, and the mobile device showed more expected patterns of activation for lower limb movements. Knowledge gained from this study contributes to the development of mobile NIRS systems in monitoring motor-related neural activation.