Brain-Computer Interfaces for Communication: Preferences of Individuals With Locked-in Syndrome
Open accessAbstract
Background: Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have been proposed as an assistive technology (AT) allowing people with locked-in syndrome (LIS) to use neural signals to communicate. To design a communication BCI (cBCI) that is fully accepted by the users, their opinion should be taken into consideration during the research and development process. Objective: We assessed the preferences of prospective cBCI users regarding (1) the applications they would like to control with a cBCI, (2) the mental strategies they would prefer to use to control the cBCI, and (3) when during their clinical trajectory they would like to be informed about AT and cBCIs. Furthermore, we investigated if individuals diagnosed with progressive and sudden onset (SO) disorders differ in their opinion. Methods: We interviewed 28 Dutch individuals with LIS during a 3-hour home visit using multiple-choice, ranking, and open questions. During the interview, participants were informed about BCIs and the possible mental strategies. Results: Participants rated (in)direct forms of communication, computer use, and environmental control as the most desired cBCI applications. In addition, active cBCI control strategies were preferred over reactive strategies. Furthermore, individuals with progressive and SO disorders preferred to be informed about AT and cBCIs at the moment they would need it. Conclusions: We show that individuals diagnosed with progressive and SO disorders preferred, in general, the same applications, mental strategies, and time of information. By collecting the opinion of a large sample of individuals with LIS, this study provides valuable information to stakeholders in cBCI and other AT development.
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Brainstem-stroke survivors and individuals with ALS can retain varying degrees of control over orofacial movements and vocalization.
“For example, brainstem-stroke survivors4,133,134 and individuals with ALS135 can retain varying degrees of control over orofacial movements and vocalization.”
From The speech neuroprosthesis (2024) · cites this paper as [133]
The Results section, “Residual movement and current communication channels” (page unavailable), reports residual head-or-mouth movement and residual speech, including sounds or short words, in the neuromuscular-disorder group. The Methods section, “Participants” (page unavailable), says that group included ALS alongside other disorders. The paper does not report these findings separately for participants with ALS, so it does not establish the ALS-specific part of the claim. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredFor individuals with vocal-tract paralysis, maximal rate of attempted speech can vary considerably and may depend on residual articulatory capacities and comfort.
“however, for individuals with vocal-tract paralysis, their maximal rate of attempted speech can vary considerably and may depend on their residual articulatory capacities and degree of comfort4,133,134.”
From The speech neuroprosthesis (2024) · cites this paper as [133]
The Results sections report differences in residual speech and preferences for attempted speech, but do not measure maximal attempted-speech rate or link it to articulatory capacity or comfort. The questionnaire methods explicitly focused on mental-strategy preferences rather than system speed. Searches for speech rate, articulation, and comfort found no passage addressing the claim. (LLM, conf=0.76)
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References 50 · Cited by 61
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- [27]Branco MP, Pels EGM, Sars RH, Brain-Computer Interfaces for communication: preferences of individuals with locked-in syndrome. Submitted. Published online 2020. PMC7934157 33530868
- Authors
- Branco, M. P., Pels, E. G. M., Sars, R. H., Aarnoutse, E. J., Ramsey, N. F., Vansteensel, M. J., & Nijboer, F.
- Affiliations
- University Medical Center Utrecht (NL)
- Leiden University (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Ramsey, Nick F.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2021-02-03
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 267-279
- ISSN
- 0888-4390 (ISSN-L)
- 1545-9683
- 1552-6844
- PMC
- PMC7934157
- OpenAlex
- W3128540763
- Cited by
- 61
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 4
- FWCI
- 4.73
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Neurorehabilitation and neural repair (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Leiden Repository (Leiden University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- University of Twente Research Information (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- FP7 Ideas: European Research Council (ADV 320708)
- Stichting voor de Technische Wetenschappen (14906)
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (U01DC016686)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Gaze Tracking and Assistive Technology
- Keywords
- brain-computer interface, locked-in syndrome, user preferences, assistive technology, environmental control, clinical trajectories
- MeSH terms
- Locked-In Syndrome, Adult, Aged, Communication Devices for People with Disabilities, Communication Aids for Disabled, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Time Factors, User-Computer Interface, Disease Progression, Qualitative Research, Patient Preference, Health Communication, Brain-Computer Interfaces
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