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

Al-Taleb, M.K.H., Purcell, M., Fraser, M. and Vuckovic, A. (2017) Home Used, Patient Self-Managed, Brain-Computer Interface for Treatment of Central Neuropathic Pain in Spinal Cord Injury: Feasibility Study. In: 7th Graz Brain-Computer Interface Conference 2017, Graz, Austria, 18-22 Sep 2017, ISBN 9783851255331 (doi: 10.3217/978-3-85125-533-1-93)

Abstract

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.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Purcell, Mariel and Vuckovic, Dr Aleksandra and Al-Taleb, Mr Manaf
• Authors: Al-Taleb, M.K.H., Purcell, M., Fraser, M., and Vuckovic, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• ISSN: 2311-0422
• ISBN: 9783851255331
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Verlag der Technischen Universität Graz
• First Published: First published in 7th Graz Brain-Computer Interface Conference 2017
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license