Brain Painting: usability testing according to the user-centered design in end users with severe motor paralysis.
BACKGROUND
For many years the reestablishment of communication for people with severe motor paralysis has been in the focus of brain-computer interface (BCI) research. Recently applications for entertainment have also been developed. Brain Painting allows the user creative expression through painting pictures.


OBJECTIVE
The second, revised prototype of the BCI Brain Painting application was evaluated in its target function - free painting - and compared to the P300 spelling application by four end users with severe disabilities.


METHODS
According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), usability was evaluated in terms of effectiveness (accuracy), efficiency (information transfer rate (ITR)), utility metric, subjective workload (National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA TLX)) and user satisfaction (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST) 2.0 and Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment (ATD PA), Device Form).


RESULTS
The results revealed high performance levels (M≥80% accuracy) in the free painting and the copy painting conditions, ITRs (4.47-6.65bits/min) comparable to other P300 applications and only low to moderate workload levels (5-49 of 100), thereby proving that the complex task of free painting did neither impair performance nor impose insurmountable workload. Users were satisfied with the BCI Brain Painting application. Main obstacles for use in daily life were the system operability and the EEG cap, particularly the need of extensive support for adjustment.


CONCLUSIONS
The P300 Brain Painting application can be operated with high effectiveness and efficiency. End users with severe motor paralysis would like to use the application in daily life. User-friendliness, specifically ease of use, is a mandatory necessity when bringing BCI to end users. Early and active involvement of users and iterative user-centered evaluation enable developers to work toward this goal.
Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Silcherstr. 5, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Claudia
C
Zickler
Sebastian
S
Halder
Sonja C
SC
Kleih
Cornelia
C
Herbert
Andrea
A
Kübler
D062207:Brain-Computer Interfaces; D002138:Calibration; D004569:Electroencephalography; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300; D006801:Humans; D010243:Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction
Assistive technology; Brain–computer interface; Entertainment; P300 event-related potential; Usability testing; User-centered design; Users with disabilities