Human Computer Interactions for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients

Abstract

In this chapter, alternative communication and device control channels, which are helpful for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, are introduced. In this context, human computer interactions (HCIs) will be discussed in three respects; electrical brain activities, eye movements and hemoglobin level in the blood. With technological advances, fighting or minimization side effects of the diseases is the main purpose of biomedical research. Under this motto, this chapter focuses on HCIs for individuals suffering from motor neuron diseases. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of motor neurons. ALS or other tetraplegic clinical conditions, otherwise known as the locked-in syndrome, have severe disabilities in controlling muscles and consequently have problems in moving the entire body. Some of these patients can only move their eyes. In severe conditions of the progressive motor neuron diseases, patients cannot move their eyes nor can they speak. Establishing an efficient communication channel without overt speaking and hand motions makes the patient’s life a bit easier and increases their quality of life. ALS occurs in between 4 and 8 out of every 100,000 individuals and only a small percentage of cases arise from a known genetic cause (Parker & Parker, 2007). Concerning other motor neuron diseases or speaking and muscular disabilities, there are more than 100 million potential users in need of alternative channels such as brain computer interface (BCI) for communicating with their environment or for controlling devices (Guger, 2008). Considering life span extension and increasing causes of injuries including traffic accidents and explosions, which may result in spinal cord injuries in serious cases, the need for an efficient communication or control channel has been drastically increasing. HCIs are a research field which includes interactions such as communication and device/machine control between a user and a computer. The aim of the HCI is to improve performance of the interaction, meaning a minimization of the barrier between the human and the computer. Accurate and fast interpretation of what the user wants to do as well as a correct understanding by the computer of the user's intentions or demand is the aim of this research field. Man-machine interface (MMI), brain-machine interface (BMI) and BCI can be thought of as applications of HCIs. If communication or control is established directly from the brain, it is called BCI and it is the only method of interaction for the individuals with complete