Clinical Validation Protocol for BCI for the Communication of Patients Suffering From Neuromuscular Disorders.

This is a pilot study for which 15 patients with myopathies will be included. The primary objective of the study is to assess the safety and tolerance of a system for communication named P300 speller. The P3Speller is a brain computer interface (BCI) that records the brain electric activity with the use of electroencephalography (EEG) and analyzes it in real time in order to identify slight changes generated in relation to a visual stimulation (evoked potentials). The identification of such brain potentials is translated into a digital command for a spelling device. The secondary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of this spelling device with a more traditional assisitve technology called scanner interface. A scanner interface uses single clicks that can be obtaines with an adequate interface which exploits the remaining muscular activity from a patients.

Every patient will use each interface (P300 sepller and Scanning) with a randomized order. Results will bec o,pared in terms of information flow from the patient to the computer expressed in bit rate per minute.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult older than 18y.o., diagnosed with neuromuscular disease, stable vital signs and informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• History of seizure, brain damage, sight or auditory dysfunction, Atopic dermatitis, skin hypersensitivity to gold, patient under guardianship, illiterates or not able to cooperate , cognitive dysfunction
• Steinert disease, Merosine negative disease, Alpha-dystroglycanopathies