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THE
BRAIN
ACTIVATION
ON
UPPER
EXTREMITY
MOTOR
CONTROL
TASKS
IN
DIFFERENT
FORCES
LEVELS
คณะวิศวกรรมศาสตร์, วิศวกรรมชีวการแพทย์, วิศวกรรมศาสตรบัณฑิต สาขาวิชาวิศวกรรมชีวการแพทย์ (หลักสูตรนานาชาติ)
THE BRAIN ACTIVATION ON UPPER EXTREMITY MOTOR CONTROL TASKS IN DIFFERENT FORCES LEVELS

Innovation Owner

NK

Mr. NATTAPAT KULWATTHO

Student

Details

Motor control is a critical process for muscle contraction, which is initiated by nerve impulses governed by the motor cortex. This process is vital for performing activities of daily living (ADLs). Consequently, a disruption in communication between the brain and muscles, as seen in various chronic conditions and diseases, can impair bodily movement and ADLs. Evaluating the interaction between brain function and motor control is significant for the diagnosis and treatment of motor control disorders; moreover, it can contribute to the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). The purpose of this study is to investigate brain activation in designed upper extremity motor control tasks in regulating the pushing force in different brain regions; and develop investigation methods to assess motor control tasks and brain activation using a robotic arm to guide upper extremity force and motor control. Eighteen healthy young adults were asked to perform upper extremity motor control tasks and recorded the hemodynamic signals. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRs) and robotic arms were used to assess brain activation and the regulation of pushing force and extremity motor control. Two types of motion, static and dynamic, move along a designated trajectory in both forward and backward directions, and three different force levels selected from a range of ADLs, including 4, 12, and 20 N, were used as force-regulating upper extremity motor control tasks. The hemodynamic responses were measured in specific regions of interest, namely the primary motor cortex (M1), premotor cortex (PMC), supplementary motor area (SMA), and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Utilizing a two-way repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction (p < 0.00625) across all regions, we observed no significant interaction effect between force levels and movement types on oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) levels. However, in both contralateral (c) and ipsilateral (i) PFC, movement type—static versus dynamic—significantly affected brain activation. Additionally, cM1, iPFC, and PMC showed a significant effect of force level on brain activation.

THE BRAIN ACTIVATION ON UPPER EXTREMITY MOTOR CONTROL TASKS IN DIFFERENT FORCES LEVELS
THE BRAIN ACTIVATION ON UPPER EXTREMITY MOTOR CONTROL TASKS IN DIFFERENT FORCES LEVELS
THE BRAIN ACTIVATION ON UPPER EXTREMITY MOTOR CONTROL TASKS IN DIFFERENT FORCES LEVELS
THE BRAIN ACTIVATION ON UPPER EXTREMITY MOTOR CONTROL TASKS IN DIFFERENT FORCES LEVELS
THE BRAIN ACTIVATION ON UPPER EXTREMITY MOTOR CONTROL TASKS IN DIFFERENT FORCES LEVELS

Objective

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the brain activation of different brain regions and various upper extremity motor control tasks in controlling force at different force levels. Through the analysis of various brain responses to a range of upper extremity motor tasks by utilizing fNIRs and a robotic arm, the specific aim is to discern distinct patterns of brain activity linked to upper extremity motor control and force control.

This observational study aims to investigate the relationship between brain activation in specific regions and various motor tasks involving upper extremity movement with force control. Utilizing fNIRs, the research will monitor hemodynamic changes in four key brain areas: the prefrontal cortex (PFC), premotor cortex (PMC), supplementary motor area (SMA), and primary motor cortex (M1) during task performance. The primary population for this investigation consists of healthy young adults, allowing for a clearer understanding of how force control affects brain activation. The scope of the study includes assessing brain activation measured by fNIRs during upper extremity motor and force control tasks, as well as examining how upper extremity movements and force control influence brain activation.

Evaluating the interaction between brain function and motor control is significant for the diagnosis and treatment of motor control disorders; moreover, it can contribute to the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).