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

Abstract

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.

Key words::

• Brain-computer interface (BCI)
• performance criteria
• standards

Acknowledgements

The project described was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development or the National Institutes of Health.

We wish to thank Bernhard Graimann for early conceptual discussions, Susan Guynn for hours interviewing respondents, Carmela Lee and Robert Trotter for data compilation, David Thompson for assistance with probability calculations, and Stefanie Blain for assistance with manuscript preparation. Most of all, we wish to thank the respondents with ALS and their caregivers for taking time to share their opinions and experiences with us.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Notes

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