Compatibility Between Brain-Computer Interface and High Efficiency Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems: Commercial Readiness

Brief Summary

Detailed Description

Our clinical trial focuses on 8 Alternative Communication Brain-Computer Interface (AAC-BCI) users but involves a team of support participants with different roles: an industry partner's consultant, a speech language pathologist (SLP) and the user's in-home support person. The AAC-BCI user and support person will be recruited from the SLP's clinic and screened to confirm that the individuals meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria before enrollment. The investigators intend to recruit users with a perceived need for Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) access, ex: eye gaze access is deteriorating, unable to determine another access method. The investigators expect that our user participants will be in late-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), diagnosed with a brainstem stroke, other degenerative neurologic disorder such as Kennedy disease, or have severe quadriplegic cerebral palsy. The support person will be screened to ensure they are comfortable with technology, learning innovative technology and are available to set-up the AAC-BCI daily at the user's request. The home must have internet. A total of 8 enrolled users means that the investigators will have up to 16 team members supported by a consultant. All clinical trial activity will occur in the home. Once consented and enrolled, the first training session with set-up and calibration will occur with the SLP and PRC consultant. The support person must be present. A second training session with a calibration check and use and training on electroencephalogram (EEG) and logfile data collection will occur within one week. The following baseline data will be collected by the consultant and SLP: 1) A functional rating scale; 2) copy spell task (15 minutes); 3) free spell task (15 minutes); National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Task Load Index (TLX). The roles of the team members are as follows: * Industry partner's consultant: Participate in initial and follow-up AAC-BCI training sessions, provide technology support as needed via phone call, virtual meeting, or home visit. Complete required inventory and data forms. Conduct monthly home visits. * Speech Language Pathologist (SLP): Participate in initial and follow-up AAC-BCI training sessions. Provide treatment and standard of clinical care as needed via phone call, virtual meeting, or home visit. Complete required data forms related to clinical care and support. Complete inventory and data forms. * AAC-BCI User: Participate in initial set-up, calibration, and training sessions. Use at home at least 10 hours a week with EEG activity. Use system for daily communication during time they are wearing it. Participate in monthly home visit with SLP and weekly follow-up call with researcher to collect data. Complete surveys on effectiveness when trying to communicate and effectiveness when not trying to communicate. * Support Person: Participate in initial set-up, calibration, and training sessions. Agree to set-up for AAC-BCI user in the home so that the user is wearing the headgear, and the EEG electrodes are active for at least 10 hours a week. Complete recommended cleaning and storage of equipment after use. Participate at monthly visits with consultant, contacts with the SLP and weekly call with researchers. Complete data collection forms. At the end of the 6-month study, participants will complete a Qualtrics survey to rate the overall commercial readiness of the AAC-BCI device along with rating the AAC-BCI device on satisfaction, performance, reliability, and comfort.

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

• Alternative Communication Brain-Computer Interface (AAC-BCI) system comfort(6 months)
• Alternative Communication Brain-Computer Interface (AAC-BCI) system user-satisfaction(6 months)
• Alternative Communication Brain-Computer Interface (AAC-BCI) system performance(6 months)
• Alternative Communication Brain-Computer Interface (AAC-BCI) system reliability(6 months)