Unleashing Potential: Harnessing Brain-Computer Interfaces to Empower Children with Severe Physical Disabilities

Kelly, Dion Marie

Unleashing Potential: Harnessing Brain-Computer Interfaces to Empower Children with Severe Physical Disabilities

dc.contributor.advisor	Kirton, Adam
dc.contributor.author	Kelly, Dion Marie
dc.contributor.committeemember	Zewdie, Ephrem
dc.contributor.committeemember	Debert, Chantel
dc.contributor.committeemember	Esser, Michael
dc.date	2023-11
dc.date.accessioned	2023-07-06T17:21:37Z
dc.date.available	2023-07-06T17:21:37Z
dc.date.issued	2023-06
dc.description.abstract	Independence, inclusion, and full participation are fundamental human rights. Yet, children with significant physical disabilities like quadriplegic cerebral palsy (QCP) encounter numerous barriers to these rights. Despite their cognitive abilities, these children may struggle to communicate, interact with their environment, and participate in activities that other children take for granted. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) offer a potential solution. However, pediatric-focused research in BCI literature is strikingly scarce, underscoring the need for targeted research to optimize this technology for children with severe disabilities. This thesis delves into BCIs tailored for children, specifically those with severe neurological disabilities. We first explored the ability of typically developing children to control BCIs using five different mental control paradigms, refuting earlier assumptions about children's BCI capabilities, and demonstrating that they can competently control BCIs with accuracy similar to adults while highlighting the differential effects of age. We then examined the impact of gamified calibration on BCI performance, discovering that gamification doesn't benefit all children equally, highlighting the need for personalized approaches. Subsequently, we evaluated a novel Home BCI Program for children with QCP and their families, showcasing its feasibility and benefits such as enhanced convenience and social interaction, while highlighting diverse family needs. Our fourth study applied user-centered design principles to illustrate BCIs as an empowering tool for children to achieve home-based personalized goals. Lastly, we probed the feasibility of BCI-facilitated online gaming and its potential psychosocial impacts. We provided evidence that BCIs can enhance the quality of life for children with disabilities by enabling participation in simple, yet meaningful activities from which they are typically excluded. Our research deepens the understanding of pediatric BCIs and underscores their transformative potential for improving the lives of children with disabilities and their families. Moving forward, refining BCI technologies for children and emphasizing collaboration with pediatric end-users and their families is vital.
dc.identifier.citation	Kelly, D. M. (2023). Unleashing potential: harnessing brain-computer interfaces to empower children with severe physical disabilities (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/1880/116701
dc.identifier.uri	https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/41543
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher.faculty	Graduate Studies
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary
dc.rights	University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject.classification	Neuroscience
dc.title	Unleashing Potential: Harnessing Brain-Computer Interfaces to Empower Children with Severe Physical Disabilities
dc.type	doctoral thesis
thesis.degree.discipline	Medicine – Neuroscience
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Calgary
thesis.degree.name	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudent	I do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.