Objective Our overall objective is to provide both new brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies and an innovative business model focused on user-centered assessment and communication for persons with disorders of consciousness (DOCs). We have recently shown that present clinical tools to assess DOC are inadequate. Across different studies, up to 43% of patients who had been designated as nonresponsive (including in a vegetative state (VS) or minimally conscious state (MCS) were in fact able to communicate through new BCI systems developed for such patients. For example, patients could produce reliable changes in motor activity in the EEG when asked via headphones to imagine left hand movement or walking through the house if their father was named (the correct name). In related work, patients could produce differential responses to YES/NO/SKIP questions (based on the P300 component) by counting vibrations of one out of three different tactors placed on the body. This creates a pressing social and economic challenge to provide more accurate information about these patients’ cognitive abilities to families, clinicians and the patients themselves about their long-term options. By providing BCI-based assistive technology (AT) for communication and control, we will allow patients to not only make their own decisions but also interact with their environments, the internet and other people, fostering inclusion and accessibility. The main outcome will be a life-changing experience for many patients: being recognized as someone who can communicate. They will once again be able to convey their needs and desires to carers, and may influence decisions about therapy, end-of-life, living environments, long term care and use of ComAware products and services. Carers and medical staff will be able to better identify patients’ needs and provide care and help accordingly. Family and friends will again be able to communicate with someone they had been (mistakenly) told could not communicate. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwarenatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternetmedical and health sciencesclinical medicinephysiotherapysocial scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managementbusiness models Programme(s) H2020-EU.2.1.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Main Programme H2020-EU.2.3.1. - Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument Topic(s) ICT-37-2014-1 - Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme (implemented through the SME instrument) Call for proposal H2020-SMEInst-2014-2015 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-SMEINST-1-2014 Funding Scheme SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1 Coordinator GUGER TECHNOLOGIES OG Net EU contribution € 50 000,00 Address Herbersteinstrasse 60 8020 Graz Austria See on map Region Südösterreich Steiermark Graz Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 21 429,00
