Caregivers in implantable brain-computer interface research: a scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology

Background:

• Ethical considerations for caregivers in neurological research are recognized.
• The specific role of caregivers in brain-computer interface (BCI) research requires further investigation.
• Caregiver involvement is crucial for individuals with motor dysfunction, communication impairment, and blindness using BCI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the extent to which caregivers are mentioned in implantable BCI (iBCI) research publications.
• To analyze the nature of caregiver involvement described in iBCI studies.
• To identify gaps in reporting caregiver roles in BCI research.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted in June 2024.
• PubMed and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for relevant articles.
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis of 78 selected iBCI studies was performed using caregiver-related search terms.

Main Results:

• Caregivers were mentioned in 34 (43.6%) of the 78 reviewed iBCI studies.
• Mentions included acknowledgements (64.7%), consent processes (17.6%), technical/procedural support (35.3%), and enhanced communication (26.5%).
• A significant portion of studies did not extensively detail caregiver contributions.

Conclusions:

• Caregiver involvement is underreported in a substantial number of iBCI studies.
• Detailed reporting of caregiver roles offers valuable insights into participant support and research success.
• Emphasizing caregiver roles in BCI research can inform the responsible development of future study protocols.