Article

Despite intense brain-computer interface (BCI) research for >2
decades, BCIs have hardly been established at patients' homes. The current study
aimed at demonstrating expert independent BCI home use by a patient in the
locked-in state and the effect it has on quality of life.
DESIGN: In this case
study, the P300 BCI-controlled application Brain Painting was facilitated and
installed at the patient's home. Family and caregivers were trained in setting up
the BCI system. After every BCI session, the end user indicated subjective level
of control, loss of control, level of exhaustion, satisfaction, frustration, and
enjoyment. To monitor BCI home use, evaluation data of every session were
automatically sent and stored on a remote server. Satisfaction with the BCI as an
assistive device and subjective workload was indicated by the patient. In
accordance with the user-centered design, usability of the BCI was evaluated in
terms of its effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. The influence of the
BCI on quality of life of the end user was assessed. SETTING: At the patient's
home. PARTICIPANT: A 73-year-old patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in
the locked-in state. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The BCI
has been used by the patient independent of experts for >14 months. The patient
painted in about 200 BCI sessions (1-3 times per week) with a mean painting
duration of 81.86 minutes (SD=52.15, maximum: 230.41). BCI improved quality of
life of the patient. RESULTS: In most of the BCI sessions the end user's
satisfaction was high (mean=7.4, SD=3.24; range, 0-10). Dissatisfaction occurred
mostly because of technical problems at the beginning of the study or varying BCI
control. The subjective workload was moderate (mean=40.61; range, 0-100). The end
user was highy satisfied with all components of the BCI (mean 4.42-5.0; range,
1-5). A perfect match between the user and the BCI technology was achieved (mean:
4.8; range, 1-5). Brain Painting had a positive impact on the patient's life on
all three dimensions: competence (1.5), adaptability (2.17) and self-esteem
(1.5); (range: -3 = maximum negative impact; 3 maximum positive impact). The
patient had her first public art exhibition in July 2013; future exhibitions are
in preparation. CONCLUSIONS: Independent BCI home use is possible with high
satisfaction for the end user. The BCI indeed positively influenced quality of
life of the patient and supports social inclusion. Results demonstrate that
visual P300 BCIs can be valuable for patients in the locked-in state even if
other means of communication are still available (eye tracker).
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS