A clinical screening protocol for the RSVP Keyboard brain–computer interface

Abstract

Purpose To propose a screening protocol that identifies requisite sensory, motor, cognitive, and communication skills for people with locked-in syndrome (PLIS) to use the RSVP Keyboard™ brain-computer interface (BCI). Method A multidisciplinary clinical team of seven individuals representing five disciplines identified requisite skills for the BCI. They chose questions and subtests from existing standardized instruments for auditory comprehension, reading, and spelling;modified them to accommodate nonverbal response modalities; and developed novel tasks to screen visual perception, sustained visual attention, and working memory. Questions were included about sensory skills, positioning, pain interference, and medications. The result is a compilation of questions, adapted subtests and original tasks designed for this new BCI system. It was administered to 12 PLIS and six healthy controls. Results Administration required one hour or less. Yes/no choices and eye gaze were adequate response modes for PLIS. Healthy controls and 9 PLIS were 100% accurate on all tasks; three PLIS missed single items. Conclusions The RSVP BCI screening protocol is a brief, repeatable technique for patients with different levels of LIS to identify the presence/absence of skills for BCI use. Widespread adoption of screening methods should be a clinical goal and will help standardize BCI implementation for research and intervention.

Teaching mindfulness meditation to adults with severe speech and physical impairments: An exploratory study

“…A convenience sample of participants was recruited from an ongoing BCI communication study for people with SSPI (Fried-Oken, Mooney, Peters, & Oken, 2013; B. S. Oken, et al, 2013; Orhan, et al, 2013).…”

“…Participants met the following inclusion criteria: (1) diagnosed by a neurologist with a brain or neuromuscular disorder producing severe disability; (2) age between 18 and 75 years; (3) capable of participating in one- to three-hour experimental interactions; (4) literate in English; (5) adequate vision and hearing; (6) speech that is understood less than 25% of the time (as assessed by the referring speech-language pathologist) and/or severely reduced hand function for writing and/or typing. Additionally, as part of the inclusion criteria for participation in the BCI Communication study, all participants were administered the RSVP™ BCI Clinical Screening protocol (Fried-Oken, et al, 2013). A multidisciplinary clinical team of seven individuals representing five disciplines identified requisite skills necessary for the BCI RSVP™ Keyboard.…”

“…S. Oken, Salinsky, & Elsas, 2006). If BCIs are to fulfil their primary goal of providing essential communication and control options to people with severe disabilities (Wolpaw & Wolpaw, 2012), then factors relevant to successful use, including the users' attention (Wolpaw & Wolpaw, 2012) need to be addressed (Fried-Oken, Mooney, Peters, & Oken, 2013). …”

Heading for new shores! Overcoming pitfalls in BCI design

“…A standardized screening procedure including easily applicable instruments and methods should be agreed upon. One such suggestion was already proposed for the identification of potential BCI users for a rapid serial visual presentation keyboard [41]. In case researchers could collaboratively and interdisciplinary contribute to the identification of reliable predictor variables, end-users might be equipped fast with the BCI system best suited for their individual needs.…”

Teaching Mindfulness Meditation to Adults with Severe Speech and Physical Impairments: An Exploratory Study

“…A convenience sample of participants was recruited from an ongoing BCI communication study for people with SSPI (Fried-Oken, Mooney, Peters, & Oken, 2013;B. S. Oken, et al, 2013;Orhan, et al, 2013).…”