This study investigated kinesthetic motor imagery (KMI) in 12 congenitally blind (CB) and 12 sighted individuals, matched for age, sex, and education level. Participants mentally replayed kinesthetic stimuli generated by a haptic interface, while their electroencephalographic (EEG) and hemodynamic activity (fNIRS) patterns were simultaneously recorded.
Key findings revealed that although both groups performed similarly on the MI tasks, significant differences were observed in brain oscillation patterns and oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations. Specifically, the CB group showed stronger desynchronization of alpha rhythms (8–12 Hz) in frontal, parietal-occipital, and bilateral sensorimotor cortex areas compared to sighted participants. Differences in alpha band functional connectivity, suggesting changes in brain organization, were also found. Furthermore, fNIRS results indicated a stronger decrease in oxy-Hb concentration in the frontal area of the blind group. hese unique patterns of brain activity during MI suggest an alternative imagery strategy and information processing in individuals with congenital blindness.
This project's data, will be shared on this OSF page for further research and analysis.