[Use of a brain-computer interface by a patient with a craniocerebral injury].
BACKGROUND
There is limited knowledge concerning the effectiveness of computer access modes. This article presents a case report of a client with a serious traumatic brain injury who, four years after his accident, tried a brain-computer interface (Cyberlink software).


OBJECTIVE
To examine the client's computer performance (keyboard and mouse tasks) and the degree of realisation of three occupations (written communication, interpersonal relations and leisure).


METHODS
A training over 16 weeks (2 x per week) and a follow-up at 3 months were completed. The activation of the computer with Cyberlink was tested with lateral movements of the eyes, relaxation waves, waves of activation of the brain and facial musculature.


RESULTS
After 8 weeks of training with Cyberlink, no improvements were noted in the use of the keyboard and the mouse. The trial of another interface (tactile screen) finally made the optimization of mouse functions possible.


CONCLUSIONS
The endurance and memory problems were circumvented with a long, repetitive and flexible training of the computer use.
Vincent
Claude
C
Université Laval, Faculté de médecine, Département de réadaptation, CIRRIS, Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique du Quebec, Quebec, Canada. claude.vincent@rea.ulaval.ca
Bisson
Janick
J
Langlois
Erik
E
Cantin
Jean-François
JF
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D003491:Cybernetics; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014956:Writing