Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W, Calgary, AB, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2020 Jan 6;17(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s12984-019-0624-7.
Individuals with severe neurological disabilities but preserved cognition, including children, are often precluded from connecting with their environments. Brain computer interfaces (BCI) are a potential solution where advancing technologies create new clinical opportunities. We evaluated clinician awareness as a modifiable barrier to progress and identified eligible populations.
We executed a national, population-based, cross-sectional survey of physician specialists caring for persons with severe disability. An evidence- and experience-based survey had three themes: clinician BCI knowledge, eligible populations, and potential impact. A BCI knowledge index was created and scored. Canadian adult and pediatric neurologists, physiatrists and a subset of developmental pediatricians were contacted. Secure, web-based software administered the survey via email with online data collection.
Of 922 valid emails (664 neurologists, 253 physiatrists), 137 (15%) responded. One third estimated that ≥10% of their patients had severe neurological disability with cognitive capacity. BCI knowledge scores were low with > 40% identifying as less than "vaguely aware" and only 15% as "somewhat familiar" or better. Knowledge did not differ across specialties. Only 6 physicians (4%) had patients using BCI. Communication and wheelchair control rated highest for potentially improving quality of life. Most (81%) felt BCI had high potential to improve quality of life. Estimates suggested that > 13,000 Canadians (36 M population) might benefit from BCI technologies.
Despite high potential and thousands of patients who might benefit, BCI awareness among clinicians caring for disabled persons is poor. Further, functional priorities for BCI applications may differ between medical professionals and potential BCI users, perhaps reflecting that clinicians possess a less accurate understanding of the desires and needs of potential end-users. Improving knowledge and engaging both clinicians and patients could facilitate BCI program development to improve patient outcomes.
包括儿童在内，认知能力正常但存在严重神经功能障碍的个体通常无法与环境建立联系。脑机接口 (BCI) 是一种潜在的解决方案，因为先进的技术创造了新的临床机会。我们评估了临床医生的意识是进步的可改变障碍，并确定了合格人群。
我们对照顾严重残疾患者的医师专家进行了一项全国性、基于人群的横断面调查。一项基于证据和经验的调查有三个主题：临床医生 BCI 知识、合格人群和潜在影响。创建并评分了 BCI 知识指数。联系了加拿大成人和儿科神经科医生、理疗师以及一组发育儿科医生。安全的、基于网络的软件通过电子邮件向参与者发送调查，并在线收集数据。
在 922 封有效电子邮件（664 名神经科医生，253 名理疗师）中，有 137 人（15%）做出了回应。三分之一的人估计他们的患者中有≥10%存在严重神经功能障碍和认知能力。BCI 知识得分较低，超过 40%的人认为自己“不太了解”，只有 15%的人认为自己“有些熟悉”或更好。知识在不同专业之间没有差异。只有 6 名医生（4%）的患者正在使用 BCI。沟通和轮椅控制被认为是提高生活质量的最高因素。大多数（81%）人认为 BCI 有很大潜力提高生活质量。估计有超过 13000 名加拿大人（3600 万人口）可能受益于 BCI 技术。
尽管 BCI 具有很高的潜力，并且有成千上万的患者可能受益，但照顾残疾患者的临床医生对 BCI 的认识很差。此外，BCI 应用的功能优先级可能在医疗专业人员和潜在 BCI 用户之间存在差异，这可能反映出临床医生对潜在最终用户的愿望和需求的理解不够准确。提高知识水平并让临床医生和患者都参与进来，可以促进 BCI 项目的开发，从而改善患者的治疗效果。
