Title
Disparity in Frontal Lobe Connectivity on a Complex Bimanual Motor Task Aids in Classification of Operator Skill Level.
Abstract
Objective metrics of technical performance (e.g., dexterity, time, and path length) are insufficient to fully characterize operator skill level, which may be encoded deep within neural function. Unlike reports that capture plasticity across days or weeks, this articles studies long-term plasticity in functional connectivity that occurs over years of professional task practice. Optical neuroimaging data are acquired from professional surgeons of varying experience on a complex bimanual coordination task with the aim of investigating learning-related disparity in frontal lobe functional connectivity that arises as a consequence of motor skill level. The results suggest that prefrontal and premotor seed connectivity is more critical during naive versus expert performance. Given learning-related differences in connectivity, a least-squares support vector machine with a radial basis function kernel is employed to evaluate skill level using connectivity data. The results demonstrate discrimination of operator skill level with accuracy >= 0.82 and Multiclass Matthew's Correlation Coefficient >= 0.70. Furthermore, these indices are improved when local (i.e., within-region) rather than inter-regional (i.e., between-region) frontal connectivity is considered (p = 0.002). The results suggest that it is possible to classify operator skill level with good accuracy from functional connectivity data, upon which objective assessment and neurofeedback may be used to improve operator performance during technical skill training.
Year
DOI
Venue
2016
10.1089/brain.2015.0350
BRAIN CONNECTIVITY
Keywords
Field
DocType
functional connectivity,functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS),motor learning,operator skill level,optical topography,technical skill levels assessment
Brain mapping,Neuroscience,Motor learning,Communication,Radial basis function kernel,Connectome,Functional neuroimaging,Motor skill,Cognitive psychology,Psychology,Neuroimaging,Frontal lobe
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
6
5
2158-0014
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
2
0.42
19
Authors
5
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Javier Andréu Pérez121013.55
Daniel Richard Leff2926.87
Kunal Shetty320.42
Ara Darzi449658.41
Guang-Zhong Yang52812297.66