An Investigation into Hemodynamic Activity in the Brain During Guitar Performance Using the fNIRS Method

The goal of this study is to reveal the relationships between brain activation and the quality of guitarists' solo performances by using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). Students' brain hemodynamics were measured with fNIRS while playing the guitar, and there was an attempt to determine hemodynamic activity occurring in four different regions of the brain during the best and worst performances. Video recordings were taken during the students' performances, and their performance levels were evaluated using the Guitar Performance Rating Scale [GPRS]. The fNIRS data obtained during guitar performances was analyzed by comparing the hemodynamic (OxyHb) activity in different regions of the cerebral cortex. Also, following this, the t-values of the data were calculated through the MATLAB software, and were visualized in the form of a cerebral cortex heat map.As a result of the fNIRS measurements, it was observed that significant activations occurred in all regions of the participants' brains, and activity was recorded in the regions expected to be activated in tasks associated with music. Especially in the parietal region, it was determined that there was more OxyHb activity during the worst performances than during the best performances. The same situation was observed in the occipital region during the best performances. While intense OxyHb activity was seen in the right hemisphere in the prefrontal cortex region during the best performance, it was determined that the intensity of activity changed towards the left hemisphere during the worst performances. In the temporal cortex region, high OxyHb activity was detected in both hemispheres, although it was more intense and spread over a wider area in the right hemisphere during the best performances. During the worst performances, it was determined that while the activity area in both hemispheres remained the same, the intensity of OxyHb activity decreased.