Object Weight Perception in Motor Imagery Using Fourier-Based Synchrosqueezing Transform and Regularized Common Spatial Patterns

Abstract

This study addresses the challenge faced by individuals with upper-limb prostheses in regulating grip force and adapting movements to different object weights. Despite limited exploration, this research pioneers the use of EEG to estimate object weight perception in the context of upper-limb prostheses. Investigating neural correlates in this population provides valuable insights and aids the development of neurofeedback-based strategies for weight perception. Our objective is to identify EEG features predicting the weight perception of held objects. Employing Fourier-based synchrosqueezing transform (FSST) and regularized Common Spatial Patterns (CSP) features, we classify motor imagery waves representing three weight categories (light, medium, heavy). Subjects perform actual motor tasks before imagery sessions, and our approach integrates EEG features of both movements to train subject-specific machine learning models. Results reveal that FSST- singular value decomposition (SVD) features for medium and heavy objects are most distinctive. Achieving up to 90% accuracy, spatial features demonstrate effective classification of motor imagery for different weights. Unlike weight prediction studies, our focus is on visual perception and imagination of object weights, enhancing prosthetic hand system preconditioning. Binary classification surpasses 70% accuracy in predicting object weights, uniquely utilizing actual movement data for CSP algorithm regularization coefficient estimation.