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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Disease Progression Presents Difficulties in Brain Computer Interface Use
Book chapter

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Disease Progression Presents Difficulties in Brain Computer Interface Use

Emma Dryden, Mohammad Sahal, Sara Feldman, Hasan Ayaz and Terry Heiman-Patterson
Advances in Neuroergonomics and Cognitive Engineering, pp 70-77
04 Jul 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80285-1_9

Abstract

AAC ALS ALSFRS-R Assistive technology Brain computer interface EEG Neuromuscular disease
Brain Computer Interface (BCI) systems potentially provide those with disabilities an alternative means to communicate and control their environment, increasing independence and quality of life. The goal of our study was to examine the effect of disease progression on the efficiency of communication using a P300 BCI speller. To address this, BCI data was analyzed from 19 people living with ALS at various stages of disease. Accuracy in word spelling showed significant correlation to ALSFRS-R score, a measure of disease severity and worsening function, with decreased accuracy as the disease progressed. This decrease in accuracy may be attributed to system components and methodology that lead to an increase in fatigue for people with less function, but alternatively may be due to the progressive changes in neural networks as the patient progresses. Adjustments to BCI systems, use of alternative event potentials, or alternative technologies may be necessary to optimize BCI use in ALS.

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