The perspectives of augmentative and alternative communication experts on the clinical integration of non-invasive brain-computer interfaces

ABSTRACT

As brain-computer interface for augmentative and alternative communication access (BCI-AAC) development continues to consider avenues for translation into the clinical setting, the perspectives of clinican experts in AAC should be considered. Therefore, 11 USA-based speech-language pathologists who are experts in AAC completed a semistructured interview along with Likert scale measures to assess their perspectives on BCI-AAC. The interviews and scales explored the potential impact of BCI-AAC, along with barriers and solutions to BCI-AAC implementation. Speech-language pathologists estimated that 1.5% to 50% of their caseload may benefit from BCI-AAC across various settings. Further, identified barriers and solutions included (a) BCI-AAC implementation and support, (b) funding and access, (c) applicability and literacy skills, (d) assessment and training in supporting outcomes, and (e) motivation and customization. Results reinforce and extend existing directions for BCI-AAC translation such as user-centered assessment, stakeholder support, and populations who may benefit from intervention, such as children.

KEYWORDS:

• Brain-computer interface
• augmentative and alternative communication
• funding
• customization
• translation
• assessment
• training
• clinical

Acknowledgments

Further, the authors would like to especially thank Brynley Klein, in addition to Megan Manly and Marj McKinty for their contributions to the project

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Nebraska Tobacco Settlement Biomedical Research Development Fund.