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Functional priorities, assistive technology, and brain-computer interfaces after spinal cord injury. Jennifer L. Collinger, PhD; Michael L. Boninger, MD; Tim M. Bruns, PhD; Kenneth Curley, MD; Wei Wang, MD, PhD; Douglas J. Weber, PhD. Aim
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Functional priorities, assistive technology, and brain-computer interfaces after spinal cord injury Jennifer L. Collinger, PhD; Michael L. Boninger, MD; Tim M. Bruns, PhD; Kenneth Curley, MD; Wei Wang, MD, PhD; Douglas J. Weber, PhD
Aim • Involve consumers in design and evaluation process of new technologies such as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). • Relevance • Spinal cord injury (SCI) often affects ability to perform critical activities of daily living and can negatively affect quality of life (QOL). • Assistive technology aims to augment function and increase independence.
Method • Survey of 57 veterans with SCI: • Tetraplegia and paraplegia. • Participating in 2010 National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
Results • Consumers’ high priorities for improving QOL: • Restoration of bladder/bowel control. • Walking. • Arm/hand function (tetraplegia only). • Majority interested in using BCI, particularly for controlling functional electrical stimulation to restore lost function. • Many would consider surgery to implant BCI, even though noninvasiveness was high-priority design requirement.
Conclusion • Survey demonstrated that individuals with SCI are interested in receiving and contributing to design of BCIs.