A Collaborative Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) for ALS Patients. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Yueqing; Nam, Chang S.
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ... Annual Meeting. Volume 59:Part 1(2015)
• Page Start: 716
• Page End: 720
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Human engineering -- Congresses; 620.8205
• DOI: 10.1177/1541931215591169
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1541-9312

Abstract

This study evaluated a SSVEP-based collaborative brain-computer interface (BCI) for people with severe motor disabilities. With ten ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) patients and 10 age-matched able-bodied participants as control group, effects of collaboration and motor disability were investigated. Participants were requested to control a robot in a predefined path with their brain signals. Two collaboration modes were developed in the study: individual mode and simultaneous mode. Results revealed significantly better performance in simultaneous mode than individual mode, but no significant effect of motor disability. The study showed promising preliminary results for supporting collaborative work between BCI users with severe motor disabilities. It should provide great insights for future research and system development.