Brain-Computer Interfaces for Assessment and Communication in Disorders of Consciousness

Abstract

Many patients with Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) are misdiagnosed for a variety of reasons. These patients typically cannot communicate. Because such patients are not provided with the needed tools, one of their basic human needs remains unsatisfied, leaving them truly locked in to their bodies. This chapter first reviews current methods and problems of diagnoses and assistive technology for communication, supporting the view that advances in both respects are needed for patients with DOC. The authors also discuss possible solutions to these problems and introduce emerging developments based on EEG (Electroencephalography), fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and fNIRS (Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) that have been validated with patients and healthy volunteers.

Brain-Computer Interface: Current and Emerging Rehabilitation Applications

“…A recent review showed that 4 of 24 patients (17%) who had been diagnosed as being in a vegetative state were not only consciously aware but could answer yes or no questions 20 . BCIs offer a method to evaluate awareness and to restore a communication channel.…”

Workshops of the Fifth International Brain-Computer Interface Meeting: Defining the Future

“…A recent review showed that 4 of 24 patients (17%) identified as being in a vegetative state were not only consciously aware but could answer yes or no questions [161]. Other potentially communicative patients with disorders of consciousness might be undetectable through standard clinical testing, but may benefit from BCI.…”

“…These included presentations on auditory-, tactile- and motor imagery-based BCI paradigms from the DECODER project [121, 161–163] and the usage of auditory- and motor imagery-based BCIs for communication with people who have disorders of consciousness [164, 165]. The results of 3 clinical studies on BCI and disorders of consciousness were presented [166–170].…”

“…The results of 3 clinical studies on BCI and disorders of consciousness were presented [166–170]. Finally, the hardware and software components important for a practical assessment and communication system were presented [161]. …”

Trends in BCI Research I: Brain-Computer Interfaces for Assessment of Patients with Locked-in Syndrome or Disorders of Consciousness

“…In addition to communication and control applications, BCI technology can also be used for the assessment of cognitive functions of patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) or locked-in syndrome (LIS) [1,2,3]; (Ortner et al, in press). The top-right corner of Fig.…”