Recruiting neural field theory for data augmentation in a motor imagery brain–computer interface

We introduce a novel approach to training data augmentation in brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) using neural field theory (NFT) applied to EEG data from motor imagery tasks. BCIs often suffer from limited accuracy due to a limited amount of training data. To address this, we leveraged a corticothalamic NFT model to generate artificial EEG time series as supplemental training data. We employed the BCI competition IV ‘2a’ dataset to evaluate this augmentation technique. For each individual, we fitted the model to common spatial patterns of each motor imagery class, jittered the fitted parameters, and generated time series for data augmentation. Our method led to significant accuracy improvements of over 2% in classifying the “total power” feature, but not in the case of the “Higuchi fractal dimension” feature. This suggests that the fit NFT model may more favorably represent one feature than the other. These findings pave the way for further exploration of NFT-based data augmentation, highlighting the benefits of biophysically accurate artificial data.