title: What would brain-computer interface users want: opinions and priorities of potential users with spinal cord injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify perceptions among people with spinal cord injury (SCI) of the priorities for brain-computer interface (BCI) applications and design features along with the time investment and risk acceptable to obtain a BCI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research registry participants surveyed via telephone and BCI usage study participants surveyed in person before BCI use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Convenience sample of people with SCI (N=40), consisting of persons from the registry (n=30) and from the BCI study (n=10). Participants were classified as those with low function (n=24) and those with high function (n=16).
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics of functional independence, living situations and support structures, ratings of importance of different task and design features, and acceptable levels of performance, risk, and time investment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BCIs were of interest to 96% of the low-function group. Emergency communication was the top priority task (ranked in the top 2 by 43%). The most important design features were "functions the BCI provides" and "simplicity of BCI setup." Desired performance was 90% accuracy, with standby mode errors no more than once every 4 hours and speeds of more than 20 letters per minute. Dry electrodes were preferred over gel or implanted electrodes (P<.05). Median acceptable setup time was 10 to 20 minutes, satisfying 65% of participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People with low functional independence resulting from SCI have a strong interest in BCIs. Advances in speed and setup time will be required for BCIs to meet the desired performance. Creating BCI functions appropriate to the needs of those with SCI will be of ultimate importance for BCI acceptance with this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Electronic address: janeh@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Huggins
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Aisha A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Moinuddin
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Anthony E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Chiodo
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Wren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D062207:Brain-Computer Interfaces; D017028:Caregivers; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: Assistive technology; Brain-computer interfaces; Rehabilitation; Spinal cord injuries; Surveys