Alternative Communication Systems for People with Severe Motor Disabilities: a Survey

Overview

Journal Biomed Eng Online

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Biomedical Engineering

Date 2011 Apr 22

PMID 21507236

Citations 14

Authors

Carlos G Pinheiro Jr

Eduardo L M Naves

Pierre Pino

Etienne Losson

Adriano O Andrade

Guy Bourhis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We have now sufficient evidence that using electrical biosignals in the field of Alternative and Augmented Communication is feasible. Additionally, they are particularly suitable in the case of people with severe motor impairment, e.g. people with high-level spinal cord injury or with locked-up syndrome. Developing solutions for them implies that we find ways to use sensors that fit the user's needs and limitations, which in turn impacts the specifications of the system translating the user's intentions into commands. After devising solutions for a given user or profile, the system should be evaluated with an appropriate method, allowing a comparison with other solutions. This paper submits a review of the way three bioelectrical signals--electromyographic, electrooculographic and electroencephalographic--have been utilised in alternative communication with patients suffering severe motor restrictions. It also offers a comparative study of the various methods applied to measure the performance of AAC systems.

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