Home Used, Patient Self-Managed, Brain-Computer Interface for Treatment of Central Neuropathic Pain in Spinal Cord Injury: Feasibility Study

Central Neuropathic Pain (CNP) is a frequent chronic condition in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). In a previous study, we showed that using laboratory brain-computer interface (BCI) technology for neurofeedback training, it is possible to reduce pain in SCI people who suffered from CNP for many years. In this study, we show initial results from 12 people with SCI and CNP who practiced neurofeedback on their own using our portable BCI, consisting of a wearable EEG headset (Emotiv, EPOC, USA) and a computer tablet. Eight participants showed a positive initial response to neurofeedback and seven learned how to use portable BCI on their own at home. In this paper, we present a portable BCI and discuss the main challenges of training lay people, patients and their caregivers, to use a custom designed BCI application at home

Home used, patient self-managed, brain-computer interface for the management of central neuropathic pain post spinal cord injury: usability study

Background: Central Neuropathic Pain (CNP) is a frequent chronic condition in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Previously, we showed that using laboratory brain-computer interface (BCI) technology for neurofeedback (NFB) training, it was possible to reduce CNP in people with SCI. In this study, we show results of patient self-managed treatment in their homes with a BCI-NFB using a consumer EEG device. Methods Users: People with chronic SCI (17 M, 3 F, 50.6 ± 14.1 years old), and CNP ≥4 on a Visual Numerical Scale. Location: Laboratory training (up to 4 sessions) followed by home self-managed NFB. User Activity: Upregulating the EEG alpha band power by 10% above a threshold and at the same time downregulating the theta and upper beta (20-30 Hz) band power by 10% at electrode location C4. Technology: A consumer grade multichannel EEG headset (Epoch, Emotiv, USA), a tablet computer and custom made NFB software. Evaluation: EEG analysis, before and after NFB assessment, interviews and questionnaires. Results Effectiveness: Out of 20 initially assessed participants, 15 took part in the study. Participants used the system for 6.9 ± 5.5 (median 4) weeks. Twelve participants regulated their brainwaves in a frequency specific manner and were most successful upregulating the alpha band power. However they typically upregulated power around their individual alpha peak (7.6 ± 0.8 Hz) that was lower than in people without CNP. The reduction in pain experienced was statistically significant in 12 and clinically significant (greater than 30%) in 8 participants. Efficiency: The donning was between 5 and 15 min, and approximately 10–20% of EEG data recorded in the home environment was noise. Participants were mildly stressed when self-administering NFB at home (2.4 on a scale 1–10). User satisfaction: Nine participants who completed the final assessment reported a high level of satisfaction (QUESQ, 4.5 ± 0.8), naming effectiveness, ease of use and comfort as main priorities. The main factors influencing frequency of NFB training were: health related issues, free time and pain intensity. Conclusion: Portable NFB is a feasible solution for home-based self-managed treatment of CNP. Compared to pharmacological treatments, NFB has less side effects and provides users with active control over pain. Trial registration: GN15NE124, Registered 9th June 2016

Feasibility Study of Brain Computer Interface Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation for Rehabilitation of Hand in Tetraplegic Patients in Home Environment

No abstract available

Feasibility Study of Brain Computer Interface Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation for Rehabilitation of Hand in Tetraplegic Patients in Home Environment

No abstract available

Home Based Neurofeedback Treatment of Central Neuropathic Pain: a Feasibility Study

No abstract available