Brain-computer Interface Commercial Readiness

Our clinical trial focuses on 8 Alternative Communication Brain-Computer Interface (AAC-BCI) users but involves a team of support participants with different roles: an industry partner's consultant, a speech language pathologist (SLP) and the user's in-home support person. The AAC-BCI user and support person will be recruited from the SLP's clinic and screened to confirm that the individuals meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria before enrollment. The investigators intend to recruit users with a perceived need for Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) access, ex: eye gaze access is deteriorating, unable to determine another access method. The investigators expect that our user participants will be in late-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), diagnosed with a brainstem stroke, other degenerative neurologic disorder such as Kennedy disease, or have severe quadriplegic cerebral palsy. The support person will be screened to ensure they are comfortable with technology, learning innovative technology and are available to set-up the AAC-BCI daily at the user's request. The home must have internet. A total of 8 enrolled users means that the investigators will have up to 16 team members supported by a consultant. All clinical trial activity will occur in the home. Once consented and enrolled, the first training session with set-up and calibration will occur with the SLP and PRC consultant. The support person must be present. A second training session with a calibration check and use and training on electroencephalogram (EEG) and logfile data collection will occur within one week. The following baseline data will be collected by the consultant and SLP: 1) A functional rating scale; 2) copy spell task (15 minutes); 3) free spell task (15 minutes); National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Task Load Index (TLX).

The roles of the team members are as follows:

• Industry partner's consultant: Participate in initial and follow-up AAC-BCI training sessions, provide technology support as needed via phone call, virtual meeting, or home visit. Complete required inventory and data forms. Conduct monthly home visits.
• Speech Language Pathologist (SLP): Participate in initial and follow-up AAC-BCI training sessions. Provide treatment and standard of clinical care as needed via phone call, virtual meeting, or home visit. Complete required data forms related to clinical care and support. Complete inventory and data forms.
• AAC-BCI User: Participate in initial set-up, calibration, and training sessions. Use at home at least 10 hours a week with EEG activity. Use system for daily communication during time they are wearing it. Participate in monthly home visit with SLP and weekly follow-up call with researcher to collect data. Complete surveys on effectiveness when trying to communicate and effectiveness when not trying to communicate.
• Support Person: Participate in initial set-up, calibration, and training sessions. Agree to set-up for AAC-BCI user in the home so that the user is wearing the headgear, and the EEG electrodes are active for at least 10 hours a week. Complete recommended cleaning and storage of equipment after use. Participate at monthly visits with consultant, contacts with the SLP and weekly call with researchers. Complete data collection forms.

At the end of the 6-month study, participants will complete a Qualtrics survey to rate the overall commercial readiness of the AAC-BCI device along with rating the AAC-BCI device on satisfaction, performance, reliability, and comfort.

Inclusion criteria

For augmentative and alternative communication, brain-computer interface (AAC-BCI) Users:

• Natural speech does not meet daily communication needs requiring the use of a speech generating device
• Receiving speech therapy from a licensed speech language pathologist
• Has been assessed for and currently using a speech generating device as a means of communication
• Has a diagnosis resulting in minimal movement interfering with direct selection to a keyboard or AAC display
• Has a support person who is comfortable with technology, willing to learn a new technology system and is available to set-up the AAC-BCI daily at the user's request.
• In-home internet access
• Environment that is suitable for setting up the in-home AAC-BCI system
• Individuals aged 14 or older
• Speaks English

For Support Persons

• Speaks English
• Willing to be trained to support the AAC-BCI system for the person with a severe disability who uses a speech generating device for communication
• Willing to set-up and clean the AAC-BCI system for at minimum of 10 hours a week up to daily use
• Willing to contact technical support when/if needed for AAC-BCI system
• Willing to complete support person diary documentation
• Able to access In-home internet
• Is 18 years or older

For PRC Regional Consultants

• 2 or more years of experience as a PRC regional consultant
• 2 or more years of experience providing support to speech-language pathologists working with patients with complex communication needs and movement disorders
• 2 or more years of experience providing support to customers with complex communication needs and movement disorders
• received training on AAC-BCI system

For Clinicians:

• Licensed speech-language pathologist with AAC experience -Currently treating clients who require AAC support-
• Received AAC-BCI training

Exclusion criteria

• For AAC-BCI Users:
• Does not own or use a speech generating device
• Unable to participate during the scheduled time periods
• History of photosensitive epilepsy
• History of uncorrectable hearing loss
• Unable to participate during scheduled times
• Has a history of open scores on the scalp
• Does not speak English

For Support Persons:

• Unable to participate during the scheduled time periods
• Can not attend the in-home training sessions

--Does not speak English

• Does not know how to use the internet

For PRC Regional Consultants:

• Unable to recommend a speech-language pathologist in their territory
• Unable to recommend an individual with a complex communication and movement disorder.

For Clinicians:

• Does not have a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA)
• Unable to recommend a client to participate with a support person for the clinical trial
• Unable to participate in a 2-day training on the AAC-BCI system
• Unable to participate during the scheduled time periods