A Decade of Rapid Serial Visual Presentation Paradigm in Brain-Computer Interface for Target Detection: Current Status and Trends

• Published in: IEEE transactions on biomedical engineering Vol. PP; pp. 1 - 15
• Main Authors: Xu, Meng, Zhang, Baiwen, Zhang, Lijian, Wang, Dan, Chen, Yuanfang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States IEEE 29.08.2025
• Subjects: algorithm decoding; Artificial intelligence; Brain-computer interfaces; Decoding; Electroencephalography; Encoding; Image coding; Media; modality combinations; Object detection; Physiology; public datasets; Rapid serial visual presentation; target detection; Visualization
• ISSN: 0018-9294; 1558-2531; 1558-2531
• DOI: 10.1109/TBME.2025.3603945

Objective: Electroencephalography (EEG)-based Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) has steadily gained attention since 2015 as a paradigm to enhance image target detection in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) used with healthy individuals. Methods: We reviewed the literature using Scopus and Web of Science as primary databases, covering publications from 2015 to 2024. After literature screening and filtering, a total of 86 papers on RSVP-BCI studies were analyzed over this decadelong period. The research categorizes RSVP into three dimensions: public datasets, paradigm encoding, and decoding methods, while exploring eight mode combinations involving target types, subject groups, and different modalities. Results: Our literature search revealed a scarcity of studies addressing diverse target types across different subject groups or modality combinations, indicating a promising direction for future RSVP-BCI development. Future efforts should prioritize inclusivity across all age groups, the design of user-friendly stimulus interfaces, and the development of advanced algorithms, with the goal of creating a more widely accessible RSVP-BCI system. Conclusion: We have provided a comprehensive review of advances over the past decade in RSVP-based target detection, including datasets, encoding design, and decoding methods and potential applications. Significance: The present work aims to articulate prospective trajectories for the continued advancement of the RSVP community.