Skilled independent control of individual motor units via a non-invasive neuromuscular-machine interface

Abstract

Objective.Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) have the potential to augment human functions and restore independence in people with disabilities, yet a compromise between non-invasiveness and performance limits their relevance.Approach.Here, we hypothesized that a non-invasive neuromuscular-machine interface providing real-time neurofeedback of individual motor units within a muscle could enable independent motor unit control to an extent suitable for high-performance BMI applications.Main results.Over 6 days of training, eight participants progressively learned to skillfully and independently control three biceps brachii motor units to complete a 2D center-out task. We show that neurofeedback enabled motor unit activity that largely violated recruitment constraints observed during ramp-and-hold isometric contractions thought to limit individual motor unit controllability. Finally, participants demonstrated the suitability of individual motor units for powering general applications through a spelling task.Significance.These results illustrate the flexibility of the sensorimotor system and highlight individual motor units as a promising source of control for BMI applications.

Keywords: brain–machine interfaces; motor control; motor units; neurofeedback; surface electromyography.