Brain Scan Techniques Comparison: Insights on Your Mind's Workings Between EEG and fNIRS Sensors

In the realm of brain activity monitoring, two technologies have been making waves - Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). The company at the forefront of combining these technologies in a consumer device is InteraXon, with their Muse headband.

The Muse headband offers a unique blend of EEG and optical measurement, providing real-time monitoring of heart rate, breathing, movement, and brain activity. This combination allows users to gain insights into their mental state and focus levels, making it an ideal tool for meditation, learning, and productivity.

EEG, as you might know, measures tiny voltage changes on the scalp due to billions of neurons firing in coordinated patterns. It is sensitive to moment-to-moment changes and is valuable for feedback training, offering a millisecond-by-millisecond update on attention and mental state transitions. On the other hand, fNIRS measures changes in blood oxygenation that follow brain activity. It is relatively robust to small movements of the face and eyes compared to EEG, offering better spatial specificity near the surface.

During tasks that require sustained attention, EEG can flag lapses in attention or rising agitation, while fNIRS indicates how hard the prefrontal cortex is working overall. This makes them a powerful duo for tracking cognitive load during sustained periods, with fNIRS often used for long-term monitoring, and EEG for real-time feedback.

In practical applications, EEG based cues can guide attention back when it wanders during a work block. For instance, in focus sprints for busy afternoons, users can try three twenty-minute blocks with three to five minutes between them, using EEG cues to guide attention back when it wanders. A small change, like switching to a shorter paragraph target or adding a quick breathing interval, can lower the load and reduce lapses at the same time.

fNIRS lags behind neural firing by several seconds, making it less suited to split-second fluctuations. However, during learning, the hybrid signals are helpful, as EEG can reflect steadier rhythms during a state of relaxed focus, while fNIRS shows a moderate, sustainable level of oxygenation.

Moreover, the feedback loop becomes a teacher during calm training, as users try a mental strategy, watch the brain respond, and keep what works. In reading and synthesis for students and researchers, EEG helps users stay with the text, while fNIRS tells when mental effort is climbing too fast. During language study, EEG may show periods of disengagement when drills feel repetitive.

In conclusion, EEG and fNIRS each have unique strengths and limitations, and their combination can provide a more comprehensive understanding of brain activity during work or study. The Muse headband, manufactured by InteraXon, offers this combination in a user-friendly package, making brain activity monitoring accessible to everyone. By understanding and harnessing the power of these technologies, we can optimise our learning, work, and relaxation routines for maximum efficiency and enjoyment.

Brain Scan Techniques Comparison: Insights on Your Mind's Workings Between EEG and fNIRS Sensors