Jonathan R Wolpaw1, Richard S Bedlack2, Domenic J Reda2, Robert J Ringer2, Patricia G Banks2, Theresa M Vaughan2, Susan M Heckman2, Lynn M McCane2, Charles S Carmack2, Stefan Winden2, Dennis J McFarland2, Eric W Sellers2, Hairong Shi2, Tamara Paine2, Donald S Higgins2, Albert C Lo2, Huned S Patwa2, Katherine J Hill2, Grant D Huang2, Robert L Ruff2. 1. From the Department of Neurology (J.R.W., D.S.H.), Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Wadsworth Center (J.R.W., T.M.V., S.M.H., L.M.M., C.S.C., S.W., D.J.M., E.W.S.), National Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies, New York State Department of Health, Albany; Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center (R.S.B.) and Department of Neurology (R.S.B.), Duke University School of Medicine, NC; Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center (D.J.R., H.S., T.P.), Hines VA Medical Center, IL; Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Center (R.J.R.) and University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy; Department of Neurology (P.G.B.), Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, OH; Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center (A.C.L.) and Department of Neurology, Brown University, RI; Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System (H.S.P.) and Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Communication Science and Disorders (K.J.H.), University of Pittsburgh, PA; Cooperative Studies Program Central Office (D.G.H.), Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research & Development, Washington, DC; and Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center (R.L.R.) and Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, OH. jonathan.wolpaw@health.ny.gov. 2. From the Department of Neurology (J.R.W., D.S.H.), Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Wadsworth Center (J.R.W., T.M.V., S.M.H., L.M.M., C.S.C., S.W., D.J.M., E.W.S.), National Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies, New York State Department of Health, Albany; Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center (R.S.B.) and Department of Neurology (R.S.B.), Duke University School of Medicine, NC; Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center (D.J.R., H.S., T.P.), Hines VA Medical Center, IL; Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Center (R.J.R.) and University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy; Department of Neurology (P.G.B.), Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, OH; Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center (A.C.L.) and Department of Neurology, Brown University, RI; Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System (H.S.P.) and Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Communication Science and Disorders (K.J.H.), University of Pittsburgh, PA; Cooperative Studies Program Central Office (D.G.H.), Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research & Development, Washington, DC; and Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center (R.L.R.) and Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, OH.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability and usefulness of an EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI) for patients with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who used it independently at home for up to 18 months. METHODS: Of 42 patients consented, 39 (93%) met the study criteria, and 37 (88%) were assessed for use of the Wadsworth BCI. Nine (21%) could not use the BCI. Of the other 28, 27 (men, age 28-79 years) (64%) had the BCI placed in their homes, and they and their caregivers were trained to use it. Use data were collected by Internet. Periodic visits evaluated BCI benefit and burden and quality of life. RESULTS: Over subsequent months, 12 (29% of the original 42) left the study because of death or rapid disease progression and 6 (14%) left because of decreased interest. Fourteen (33%) completed training and used the BCI independently, mainly for communication. Technical problems were rare. Patient and caregiver ratings indicated that BCI benefit exceeded burden. Quality of life remained stable. Of those not lost to the disease, half completed the study; all but 1 patient kept the BCI for further use. CONCLUSION: The Wadsworth BCI home system can function reliably and usefully when operated by patients in their homes. BCIs that support communication are at present most suitable for people who are severely disabled but are otherwise in stable health. Improvements in BCI convenience and performance, including some now underway, should increase the number of people who find them useful and the extent to which they are used.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability and usefulness of an EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI) for patients with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who used it independently at home for up to 18 months. METHODS: Of 42 patients consented, 39 (93%) met the study criteria, and 37 (88%) were assessed for use of the Wadsworth BCI. Nine (21%) could not use the BCI. Of the other 28, 27 (men, age 28-79 years) (64%) had the BCI placed in their homes, and they and their caregivers were trained to use it. Use data were collected by Internet. Periodic visits evaluated BCI benefit and burden and quality of life. RESULTS: Over subsequent months, 12 (29% of the original 42) left the study because of death or rapid disease progression and 6 (14%) left because of decreased interest. Fourteen (33%) completed training and used the BCI independently, mainly for communication. Technical problems were rare. Patient and caregiver ratings indicated that BCI benefit exceeded burden. Quality of life remained stable. Of those not lost to the disease, half completed the study; all but 1 patient kept the BCI for further use. CONCLUSION: The Wadsworth BCI home system can function reliably and usefully when operated by patients in their homes. BCIs that support communication are at present most suitable for people who are severely disabled but are otherwise in stable health. Improvements in BCI convenience and performance, including some now underway, should increase the number of people who find them useful and the extent to which they are used.
Authors: Gaetano Gargiulo; Rafael A Calvo; Paolo Bifulco; Mario Cesarelli; Craig Jin; Armin Mohamed; André van Schaik Journal: Clin Neurophysiol Date: 2010-01-25 Impact factor: 3.708
Authors: Maud Maessen; Jan H Veldink; Leonard H van den Berg; Henrike J Schouten; Gerrit van der Wal; Bregje D Onwuteaka-Philipsen Journal: J Neurol Date: 2010-02-11 Impact factor: 4.849
Authors: Karin Nelson; Haili Sun; Emily Dolan; Charles Maynard; Laruen Beste; Christopher Bryson; Gordon Schectman; Stephan D Fihn Journal: J Ambul Care Manage Date: 2014 Oct-Dec
Authors: Anna Zulauf-Czaja; Manaf K H Al-Taleb; Mariel Purcell; Nina Petric-Gray; Jennifer Cloughley; Aleksandra Vuckovic Journal: J Neuroeng Rehabil Date: 2021-02-25 Impact factor: 4.262
Authors: Mariana P Branco; Elmar G M Pels; Femke Nijboer; Nick F Ramsey; Mariska J Vansteensel Journal: Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol Date: 2021-08-12
Authors: David A Moses; Sean L Metzger; Jessie R Liu; Gopala K Anumanchipalli; Joseph G Makin; Pengfei F Sun; Josh Chartier; Maximilian E Dougherty; Patricia M Liu; Gary M Abrams; Adelyn Tu-Chan; Karunesh Ganguly; Edward F Chang Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2021-07-15 Impact factor: 91.245