Using Human-Centered Design to Develop a Neurophysiological Monitoring Suite of Technologies

Abstract

Neurophysiological monitoring through electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has long supported clinical diagnoses and treatment decisions. These technologies also hold promise for enhancing performance assessment and decision-making in high-stakes environments. However, broader adoption is limited by complex hardware, signal processing demands, and the need for expert interpretation. We present a human-centered design approach for developing an integrated neurophysiological monitoring suite that enables non-experts to access and act on brain data in real time. The suite includes a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) sensor, custom analytics for estimating user states, and intuitive visualizations to support decision-making. We discuss key design challenges, present the resulting system, and outline the human-centered design methodology used to guide development. By making neurophysiological insights accessible to users without specialized training, this work demonstrates how thoughtful design can bridge the usability gap and extend the reach of brain-monitoring technologies beyond clinical and research settings.