What would brain-computer interface users want? Opinions and priorities of potential uses with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is caused by degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. One way to restore some function to these patients would be to use a brain-computer interface. Associate Professor and CBR member Patricia Wren, of the School of Health Sciences, along with collaborators from the University of Michigan, published an article about this topic in the September, 2011 issue of the journal Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Volume 12, Pages 318-324). Wren specializes in quality of life issues, and the goal of the study was to determine “What would brain-computer interface users want? Opinions and priorities of potential uses with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.” Below is the abstract of the paper.

"Universal design principles advocate inclusion of end users in every design stage, including research and development. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have long been described as potential tools to enable people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to operate technology without moving. Therefore the objective of the current study is to determine the opinions and priorities of people with ALS regarding BCI design. This information will guide BCIs in development to meet end-user needs. A telephone survey was undertaken of 61 people with ALS from the University of Michigan's Motor Neuron Disease Clinic. With regard to BCI design, participants prioritized accuracy of command identification of at least 90% (satisfying 84% of respondents), speed of operation comparable to at least 15-19 letters per minute (satisfying 72%), and accidental exits from a standby mode not more than once every 2-4 h (satisfying 84%). While 84% of respondents would accept using an electrode cap, 72% were willing to undergo outpatient surgery and 41% to undergo surgery with a short hospital stay in order to obtain a BCI. In conclusion, people with ALS expressed a strong interest in obtaining BCIs, but current BCIs do not yet provide desired BCI performance."