Some unresponsive ICU patients control a bedside EEG interface

A Brain study published on October 22 tests a bedside EEG BCI in 41 clinically unresponsive patients with acute brain injury. Participants were instructed to attempt hand movements to change the frequency and pitch of a tone.

Thirteen patients achieved control. The study also found an association between BCI control and later recovery, although the sample was small and estimates were uncertain.

The experiment demonstrates limited, one-way control and a possible way to detect preserved command-following. It does not demonstrate normal conversation or prove that using the interface caused recovery. Those distinctions are especially important when interpreting responses in patients who cannot otherwise communicate.