User Preferences for Brain-Computer Interfaces and Bionic Technologies to Assist People with Multiple Sclerosis

Core Concepts

People with multiple sclerosis are interested in using brain-computer interfaces and bionic technologies to enhance their independence and quality of life, with a preference for non-invasive or minimally invasive devices.

Abstract

This study surveyed 34 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to understand their interest and preferences in brain-computer interface (BCI) and bionic applications. The key findings are:

Respondents showed widespread interest in BCI applications across all stages of MS, with a preference for non-invasive (n=12) or minimally invasive (n=15) BCIs over carer assistance (n=6).
This preference for less invasive BCIs was not influenced by the respondents' current level of independence or need for assistance.
In addition to traditional BCI functions like communication, wheelchair control, and robotic arm control, respondents expressed strong interest in bionic technologies to manage sensory and autonomic symptoms, such as temperature regulation and bowel/bladder control.
Respondents with depression tended to prioritize a BCI for communication, suggesting the technology could help overcome psychological barriers to communication.
The dynamic and unpredictable nature of MS progression poses unique challenges for BCI development, requiring adaptive technologies that can account for long-term, medium-term, and short-term changes in brain activity.
Overall, the results highlight the importance of a user-centered design approach to develop BCIs and bionic technologies that can effectively address the diverse needs of people living with MS and enhance their independence and quality of life.

Stats

The economic burden associated with current treatments for MS is approximately $6600 USD per person annually.
People with MS have an average of 22 years of life lost and 1.2M disability-adjusted life-years across the population in the USA (2016).
82% of respondents reported fatigue as a symptom, and 79% reported sensory symptoms.
53% of respondents reported motor symptoms in the arms, and 68% reported motor symptoms in the legs.

Quotes

"everyday life [could] be difficult"
"life in general" was difficult

Key Insights Distilled From

Towards Developing Brain-Computer Interfaces for People with Multiple Sclerosis

by John S. Russ... at arxiv.org 04-09-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.04965.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can bionic technologies be designed to specifically address the sensory and autonomic symptoms experienced by people with MS, such as temperature dysregulation and bowel/bladder dysfunction?

To address sensory and autonomic symptoms in people with MS, bionic technologies can be designed with specific functionalities. For temperature dysregulation, devices can incorporate sensors to monitor body temperature and provide feedback or interventions to regulate it. This could include wearable devices that adjust environmental temperature or clothing to maintain a comfortable body temperature. For bowel and bladder dysfunction, bionic technologies can include implantable or external devices that stimulate nerves to regulate bladder and bowel function. These devices can help control urinary incontinence and improve bowel regularity. By focusing on these specific symptoms, bionic technologies can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with MS.

How can BCI systems be tailored to overcome the key psychological barriers to communication faced by people with MS?

Key psychological barriers to communication faced by people with MS include cognitive impairment, depression, and fatigue. BCI systems can be tailored to overcome these barriers by incorporating features such as predictive text, voice recognition, and adaptive interfaces. For individuals with cognitive impairment, BCI systems can offer simplified interfaces and personalized communication aids. To address depression, BCI systems can provide social interaction opportunities, mood tracking, and mental health support resources. Additionally, BCI systems can be designed to accommodate fatigue by offering customizable communication modes, voice commands, and automated responses. By addressing these psychological barriers, BCI systems can enhance communication for individuals with MS.

How can BCI systems be made more adaptive and resilient to changes in brain activity over time in individuals with MS?

To make BCI systems more adaptive and resilient to changes in brain activity over time in individuals with MS, several strategies can be implemented. Firstly, BCI systems can incorporate machine learning algorithms that continuously adapt to changes in brain signals, allowing for real-time adjustments in decoding strategies. Additionally, BCI systems can utilize multiple modalities of brain signals (e.g., EEG, fNIRS) to enhance signal robustness and reliability. Longitudinal data collection and personalized calibration can help account for individual variations in brain activity due to disease progression. Furthermore, BCI systems can implement user-controlled adaptive features that allow individuals to customize system settings based on their changing needs. By integrating these adaptive and resilient features, BCI systems can effectively support individuals with MS in various stages of the disease.