Interprofessional Practitioners' Opinions on Features and Services for an Augmentative and Alternative Communication...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology offers a novel access method for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.
• BCI integration aims to enhance communication for individuals with severe speech and motor impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gather early-stage perceptions from interprofessional practice (IPP) team members on desired features for AAC-BCI devices.
• To inform the research and development of effective AAC-BCI systems.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research using a grounded theory approach with focus groups and surveys.
• NVivo software was used for inductive coding of transcription data from IPP team members.
• Discussions were based on a prototype AAC-BCI device and EEG headgear.

Main Results:

• 100% of participants confirmed AAC devices with BCI access as a desirable commercial product.
• 75% of participants found the prototype effective for daily communication needs.
• Feature preferences, such as headgear type, were strongly influenced by desired accuracy (91%) and performance rate (83%).

Conclusions:

• IPP teams provided crucial insights into the design, services, and features of commercial AAC-BCI devices.
• User-centered design preferences highlight the importance of communication accuracy, rate, and effectiveness.
• These findings offer vital guidance for the successful clinical deployment of AAC-BCI technology.