Search Results (16)

Emotional attunement, or emotional co-regulation in a relationship, can manifest as interpersonal neural synchrony, where partners exhibit similar anti-phase or phase-shifted brain activity. In adult romantic relationships, emotional attunement may differ according to relationship satisfaction. No study has examined how relationship satisfaction difference influences interpersonal neural synchrony. This exploratory pilot study on 17 couples (unmarried Chinese undergraduate couples in a Southeast Asian university) investigated whether relationship satisfaction difference influenced interpersonal neural synchrony during a shared emotive experience. Each couple wore an fNIRS cap to measure brain activity in their prefrontal cortex (PFC) while co-viewing seven videos intended to evoke positive, negative or neutral emotions. We found preliminary evidence that relationship satisfaction difference modulated interpersonal neural synchrony in the right ventral PFC regions, including the right ventromedial PFC (involved in the encoding of emotional values to stimuli and emotional regulation), right ventrolateral PFC (involved in voluntary emotional regulation) and the right orbitofrontal cortex (involved in processing of emotional experiences and regulation of emotions). This suggested that couples with mismatched relationship satisfaction displayed greater interpersonal neural synchrony, possibly due to mutual social cognitive processes when viewing emotive videos together. Further studies can replicate the findings with larger, diverse samples. Full article

Background/Objectives: Art-based interventions have been shown to enhance communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet their impact on prefrontal hemodynamics remains unclear. Methods: This study employed functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine hemoglobin oxygenation (HbO) changes in the prefrontal cortex of school-age children with ASD, providing empirical support for its therapeutic efficacy. Sixty age-matched children participated in a 9-week art therapy program, including twenty ASD children and forty typically developing peers. Assessments included self-portrait drawing (SPD), the Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS), and the General Quality of Life Inventory (GQOL-74). In addition, we performed fNIRS measurements in the ASD participants and observed changes in prefrontal HbO at rest and while drawing. Results: The drawing intervention significantly enhanced drawing ability, emotional expression, and cognitive skills, with the intervention group outperforming the controls. ASD participants exhibited distinct prefrontal connectivity patterns with visual, motor, and language-related regions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, frontal eye field, and Broca’s area. Task-based painting interventions indirectly influenced the frontal lobe’s hemodynamic characteristics, indicating drawing intervention as an effective intervention for ASD. Full article

Introduction: Within a shared decision-making process, persuasion dynamics develop as a communication sub-process that can be characterized by different phases. This study examines hemodynamic functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) coherence measures in dyads of decision-makers. The interaction occurs in two phases: Phase 1, where the persuader (Pr) introduces the decision topic and uses persuasive strategies, and Phase 2, where the Persuaded (Pd) responds and may agree with the Pr’s selected option. Method: Fourteen dyads participated, with fNIRS measuring oxygenated (O₂Hb) and deoxygenated (HHb) hemoglobin concentration changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during both phases. Hemodynamic coherence within dyads was explored through the computation of a dissimilarity index (Euclidean distance). Results: Phase 2 showed increased HHb dissimilarity, indicating greater divergence in brain activity during the Pd’s response phase. Discussion: These findings suggest that, during persuasion, when Pd responds, there is increased dissimilarity in cognitive and neural processes, without implying a loss of synergy. The study highlights the importance of interactional dynamics in shaping decision outcomes and underscores the potential of fNIRS as a non-invasive tool for monitoring brain activity in clinical and collaborative settings. Full article

The act of performing music may induce a specific state of mind, musicians potentially becoming immersed and detached from the rest of the world. May this be measured? Does this state of mind change based on repetition? In collaboration with Stavanger Symphony Orchestra (SSO), we developed protocols to investigate ongoing changes in the brain activation of a first violinist and a second violinist in real time during seven sequential, public concerts using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Using wireless fNIRS systems (Brite MKII) from Artinis, we measured ongoing hemodynamic changes and projected the brain activation to the audience through the software OxySoft 3.5.15.2. We subsequently developed protocols for further analyses through the Matlab toolboxes Brainstorm and Homer2/Homer3. Our developed protocols demonstrate how one may use “functional dissection” to imply how the state of mind of musicians may alter while performing their art. We focused on a subset of cortical regions in the right hemisphere, but the current study demonstrates how fNIRS may be used to shed light on brain dynamics related to producing art in ecological and natural contexts on a general level, neither restricted to the use of musical instrument nor art form. Full article

With the increasing attention paid to user-oriented design and services, the term co-design, a form of user-participatory design, is increasingly mentioned. Previous studies have shown that co-design could better satisfy user needs in process and results, but there are few studies that have been empirically validated through neuroscience methods. Therefore, this study used fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) to measure the brain blood oxygen data (HbO₂ & Hb) of both “designer” and “user” participants from design and non-design majors during traditional and co-design tasks. The IBS (inter-brain synchronization) between participants was calculated using a wavelet coherence package in Matlab. Research has found significant consistency of DLPFC (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and BROCA (pars triangularis Broca’s area) was observed in both tasks, with more significance observed in co-design tasks, and IBS activation was significantly positively correlated with need satisfaction rate. The results showed that co-design could better activate DLPFC and BROCA brain regions compared to traditional design, which further supports previous research and expands the possibility of collaborative task paradigms. The increase in co-design IBS compared to traditional design also represents better collaborative performance, and could provide empirical evidence for participatory design based on neuroimaging. Full article

This hyperscanning study explores the central (hemodynamic) and peripheral (autonomic) markers of persuasion within a shared decision-making process. Decision-making was examined through a task where two decision-makers assumed the role of Persuader (P-der) and Persuaded (P-ded), with the P-der aiming to increase group decision orientation in the P-ded. Data were collected from 14 dyads using functional near-infrared spectroscopy to measure prefrontal cortex (PFC) hemodynamic activity and collection and recording of autonomic indices including heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV). The analysis focused on two phases: Phase 1, where the P-der presented the scenario and enacted their persuasive strategy, and Phase 2, characterized by the P-ded’s response. The results revealed significant effects on the dissimilarity indices at the dyadic level. Compared with Phase 1, Phase 2 included higher oxygenated hemoglobin dissimilarity in the PFC, indicating greater inter-dyadic divergence during the P-ded’s response. HR dissimilarity increased when the P-ded spoke, suggesting disrupted synergy, while HRV dissimilarity was higher when the P-der spoke, potentially reflecting differences in stress regulation. These findings suggest that neurophysiological coherence varies based on persuasion phases within shared decision-making, with P-ded introducing greater dissonance in dyads synergy. Compared with single-subject approaches, dyadic analyses offer a more accurate understanding of the interpersonal nature of persuasion dynamics during decision-making. Full article

Previous studies on the brain–brain interaction of deception have shown different patterns of interpersonal brain synchronization (IBS) between different genders. However, the brain–brain mechanisms in the cross-sex composition need to be better understood. Furthermore, there needs to be more discussion about how relationships (e.g., romantic couples vs. strangers) affect the brain–brain mechanism under interactive deception. To elaborate on these issues, we used the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based hyperscanning approach to simultaneously measure interpersonal brain synchronization (IBS) in romantic couples (heterosexual) and cross-sex stranger dyads during the sender–receiver game. The behavioral results found that the deception rate of males was lower than that of females, and romantic couples were deceived less than strangers. Significantly increased IBS was observed in the frontopolar cortex (FPC) and right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) of the romantic couple group. Moreover, the IBS is negatively correlated with the deception rate. No significantly increased IBS was observed in cross-sex stranger dyads. The result corroborated the lower deception of males and romantic couples in cross-sex interactions. Furthermore, IBS in the PFC and rTPJ was the underlying dual-brain neural basis for supporting honesty in romantic couples. Full article

This research explored the influence of interoception and social frame on the coherence of inter-brain electrophysiological (EEG) and hemodynamic (collected by functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy, fNIRS) functional connectivity during a motor synchronization task. Fourteen dyads executed a motor synchronization task with the presence and absence of interoceptive focus. Moreover, the motor task was socially or not-socially framed by enhancing the shared intentionality. During the experiment, delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands, and oxygenated and de-oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb and HHb) were collected through an EEG-fNIRS hyperscanning paradigm. Inter-brain coherence indices were computed for the two neurophysiological signals and then they were correlated to explore the reciprocal coherence of the functional connectivity EEG-fNIRS in the dyads. Findings showed significant higher correlational values between delta and O2Hb, theta and O2Hb, and alpha and O2Hb for the left hemisphere in the focus compared to the no focus condition and to the right hemisphere (both during focus and no focus condition). Additionally, greater correlational values between delta and O2Hb, and theta and O2Hb were observed in the left hemisphere for the focus condition when the task was socially compared to non-socially framed. This study showed that the focus on the breath and shared intentionality activate coherently the same left frontal areas in dyads performing a joint motor task. Full article

Elderly people tend not to compete with others, and if they do, the mechanism behind the competition is not clear. In this study, groups of elderly couples and matched cross-sex controls were recruited to perform a competitive button-pressing task, while their brain signals were simultaneously collected using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning. Several fundamental observations were made. First, controls showed attenuated interpersonal competition across task processes, but couples held the competition with each other. Second, couples demonstrated increased inter-brain synchronization (IBS) between the middle temporal cortex and the temporoparietal junction across task processes. Third, Granger causality analysis in couples revealed significant differences between the directions (i.e., from men to women, and from women to men) in the first half of the competitive task, whereas there was no significant difference in the second half. Finally, the groups of couples and controls could be successfully discriminated against based on IBS by using a machine-learning approach. In sum, these findings indicate that elderly couples can maintain interpersonal competition, and such maintenance might be associated with changes in the IBS of the mentalizing system. It suggests the possible positive impact of long-term spouse relationships on interpersonal interactions, both behaviorally and neurally, in terms of competition. Full article

Grossberg’s classification of adaptive resonance mechanisms includes the cognitive-emotional resonances that support conscious feelings and recognition of them. In this regard, a relevant question concerns the processing of signals deriving from the internal body and their contribution to interpersonal synchronization. This study aims to assess hemodynamic inter-subject coherence in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) through functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscan recording during dyadic synchronization tasks proposed with or without a social frame and performed in two distinct interoceptive conditions: focus and no focus on the breathing condition. Individuals’ hemodynamic data (oxygenated and de-oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb and HHb, respectively)) were recorded through fNIRS hyperscanning, and coherence analysis was performed. The findings showed a significantly higher O2Hb coherence in the left PFC when the dyads performed the synchronization tasks with a social frame compared with no social frame in the focus condition. Overall, the evidence suggests that the interoceptive focus and the presence of a social frame favor the manifestation of a left PFC interpersonal tuning during synchronization tasks. Full article

Mother–child shared play provides rich opportunities for mutual symmetrical interactions that serve to foster bond formation in dyads. Mutual gaze, a symmetrical behaviour that occurs during direct eye contact between two partners, conveys important cues of social engagement, affect and attention. However, it is not known whether the prefrontal cortical areas responsible for higher-order social cognition of mothers and children likewise exhibit neural symmetry; that is, similarity in direction of neural activation in mothers and children. This study used functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning on 22 pairs of mothers and their preschool-aged children as they engaged in a 10-min free-play session together. The play interaction was video recorded and instances of mutual gaze were coded for after the experiment. Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that neural asymmetry occurred during mother–child mutual gaze, where mothers showed a deactivation of prefrontal activity whereas children showed an activation instead. Findings suggest that mothers and children may employ divergent prefrontal mechanisms when engaged in symmetrical behaviours such as mutual gaze. Future studies could ascertain whether the asymmetric nature of a parent–child relationship, or potential neurodevelopmental differences in social processing between adults and children, significantly contribute to this observation. Full article

Interpersonal brain synchrony (IBS) during cooperation has not been systematically investigated. To address this research gap, this study assessed neural synchrony during a cooperative jigsaw puzzle solving task using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based hyperscanning. IBS was measured for successful and failed tasks in 31 dyads in which the partners were familiar or unknown to each other. No significant difference in IBS was observed between the different types of cooperative partnership; however, stronger IBS within regions of the pars triangularis Broca’s area, right frontopolar cortex, and right temporoparietal junction was observed during task success. These results highlight the effect of better task performance on cooperative IBS for the first time and further extend understanding of the neural basis of cooperation. Full article

The use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning during naturalistic interactions in parent–child dyads has substantially advanced our understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of human social interaction. However, despite the rise of developmental hyperscanning studies over the last years, analysis procedures have not yet been standardized and are often individually developed by each research team. This article offers a guide on parent–child fNIRS hyperscanning data analysis in MATLAB and R. We provide an example dataset of 20 dyads assessed during a cooperative versus individual problem-solving task, with brain signal acquired using 16 channels located over bilateral frontal and temporo-parietal areas. We use MATLAB toolboxes Homer2 and SPM for fNIRS to preprocess the acquired brain signal data and suggest a standardized procedure. Next, we calculate interpersonal neural synchrony between dyads using Wavelet Transform Coherence (WTC) and illustrate how to run a random pair analysis to control for spurious correlations in the signal. We then use RStudio to estimate Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) to account for the bounded distribution of coherence values for interpersonal neural synchrony analyses. With this guide, we hope to offer advice for future parent–child fNIRS hyperscanning investigations and to enhance replicability within the field. Full article

Hyperscanning is a technique which simultaneously records the neural activity of two or more people. This is done using one of several neuroimaging methods, such as electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The use of hyperscanning has seen a dramatic rise in recent years to monitor social interactions between two or more people. Similarly, there has been an increase in the use of virtual reality (VR) for collaboration, and an increase in the frequency of social interactions being carried out in virtual environments (VE). In light of this, it is important to understand how interactions function within VEs, and how they can be enhanced to improve their quality in a VE. In this paper, we present some of the work that has been undertaken in the field of social neuroscience, with a special emphasis on hyperscanning. We also cover the literature detailing the work that has been carried out in the human–computer interaction domain that addresses remote collaboration. Finally, we present a way forward where these two research domains can be combined to explore how monitoring the neural activity of a group of participants in VE could enhance collaboration among them. Full article

The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review on hyperscanning research (measuring brain activity simultaneously from more than two people interacting) using an explicit systematic method, the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). Data were searched from IEEE Xplore, PubMed, Engineering Village, Web of Science and Scopus databases. Inclusion criteria were journal articles written in English from 2000 to 19 June 2019. A total of 126 empirical studies were screened out to address three specific questions regarding the neuroimaging method, the application domain, and the experiment paradigm. Results showed that the most used neuroimaging method with hyperscanning was magnetoencephalography/electroencephalography (MEG/EEG; 47%), and the least used neuroimaging method was hyper-transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) (1%). Applications in cognition accounted for almost half the studies (48%), while educational applications accounted for less than 5% of the studies. Applications in decision-making tasks were the second most common (26%), shortly followed by applications in motor synchronization (23%). The findings from this systematic review that were based on documented, transparent and reproducible searches should help build cumulative knowledge and guide future research regarding inter-brain neural synchrony during social interactions, that is, hyperscanning research. Full article