About this Research Topic
Commercial translation of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is advancing. BCIs provide a unique access method for communication and cognitive-linguistic assessment. BCI can also be used as an intervention to develop cognitive-linguistic skills. However, challenges remain to achieve effective and efficient clinical and home use by people with complex communication needs.
These applications are being studied across the range of BCI designs. BCI recording technology includes non-implanted BCIs (EEG, fNIRs, MEG, etc.) or implanted (ECoG, microelectrodes, endovascular electrodes, depth electrodes, etc.) Mental strategies used for BCI control include motor imagery, P300, cognitive tasks, etc. Hybrid BCI systems combine multiple types of brain activity or may combine brain activity with input from physical movements.
This article collection contains studies identifying challenges and solutions for real-world implementation of BCI-based communication and cognitive-linguistic development or assessment using BCI.
Previously identified challenges include caregiver participation, situational anxiety and motivation, task demands, choice-making experience, BCI stimuli and screen layout, comprehension of task, age and attention span, processing speed, calibration time, electrode locations, and EEG headgear. Some solutions are well-studied and solutions are emerging. However, other challenges have been largely ignored and require both quantification and innovative solutions. Understudied challenges include teaching the BCI to people without established communication, having the BCI available but inactive when the user is not trying to use it, and variations in visual processing. Much work remains if BCIs are to provide the maximum benefit to individuals across the lifespan, both those with complex communication needs from infancy and those who have degenerative or acquired disabilities.
Article types: Brief Research Report, Case Report, Clinical Trial, Data Report, Methods, Original Research, Perspective, Study Protocol, Systematic Review, Technology and Code.
Examples of in-scope topics include:
• Identifying challenges to BCI use or addressing a specific challenge.
• Methods, processes, protocols for introducing BCI incrementally.
• Solutions related to recruitment, assent, and consent of BCI research participants with limited communication ability.
• Solutions and strategies related to deployment/delivery of BCIs for independent in-home use.
• Metrics for measuring progress and outcomes.
• Outcome and performance measurement tools and protocols.
• Intervention plan for enabling BCI use by people without evidence of established language.
• Methods to introduce BCI to people (children or adults) without reliable current communication.
• Methods to teach BCI use to people (children or adults) who have never been successful using technology for communication.
Dr. Jane E. Huggins has funding through the company PRC-Saltillo from an NIH grant awarded to them and she has a patent. Dr. Mariska J Vansteensel has a collaboration with the Wyss Center and Cortec Neuro, and has a grant that is co-funded by Cortec Neuro. Dr. Katharine (Katya) Hill has NIH funding that is through PRC-Saltillo (wearble BCI) and Syncrhon. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
These applications are being studied across the range of BCI designs. BCI recording technology includes non-implanted BCIs (EEG, fNIRs, MEG, etc.) or implanted (ECoG, microelectrodes, endovascular electrodes, depth electrodes, etc.) Mental strategies used for BCI control include motor imagery, P300, cognitive tasks, etc. Hybrid BCI systems combine multiple types of brain activity or may combine brain activity with input from physical movements.
This article collection contains studies identifying challenges and solutions for real-world implementation of BCI-based communication and cognitive-linguistic development or assessment using BCI.
Previously identified challenges include caregiver participation, situational anxiety and motivation, task demands, choice-making experience, BCI stimuli and screen layout, comprehension of task, age and attention span, processing speed, calibration time, electrode locations, and EEG headgear. Some solutions are well-studied and solutions are emerging. However, other challenges have been largely ignored and require both quantification and innovative solutions. Understudied challenges include teaching the BCI to people without established communication, having the BCI available but inactive when the user is not trying to use it, and variations in visual processing. Much work remains if BCIs are to provide the maximum benefit to individuals across the lifespan, both those with complex communication needs from infancy and those who have degenerative or acquired disabilities.
Article types: Brief Research Report, Case Report, Clinical Trial, Data Report, Methods, Original Research, Perspective, Study Protocol, Systematic Review, Technology and Code.
Examples of in-scope topics include:
• Identifying challenges to BCI use or addressing a specific challenge.
• Methods, processes, protocols for introducing BCI incrementally.
• Solutions related to recruitment, assent, and consent of BCI research participants with limited communication ability.
• Solutions and strategies related to deployment/delivery of BCIs for independent in-home use.
• Metrics for measuring progress and outcomes.
• Outcome and performance measurement tools and protocols.
• Intervention plan for enabling BCI use by people without evidence of established language.
• Methods to introduce BCI to people (children or adults) without reliable current communication.
• Methods to teach BCI use to people (children or adults) who have never been successful using technology for communication.
Dr. Jane E. Huggins has funding through the company PRC-Saltillo from an NIH grant awarded to them and she has a patent. Dr. Mariska J Vansteensel has a collaboration with the Wyss Center and Cortec Neuro, and has a grant that is co-funded by Cortec Neuro. Dr. Katharine (Katya) Hill has NIH funding that is through PRC-Saltillo (wearble BCI) and Syncrhon. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords: brain-computer interface, brain-machine interface, communication, assistive technology, augmentative and alternative communication, outcomes
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
