Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research

Researchers

Paige Thomas, PhD Candidate  (photo provided)
Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research
Department of Communication Disorders
University of Canterbury, Christchurch

Primary Supervisor: Prof. Maggie Lee Huckabee
Director of the Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research
Department of Communication Disorders
University of Canterbury, Christchurch

Current Research

Paige and the team have conducted a proof of concept study to assess the impact of swallowing skill training protocol in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Currently, patients with ALS are not considered candidates for rehabilitation of swallowing; this is therefore early research into the possible benefits of rehabilitation.

Paige Thomas

The therapy is a skill training protocol for swallowing through the Biofeedback in Strength and Skill Training (BiSSkiT) software. This protocol uses surface electromyography (sEMG) which measures muscle activity from the skins surface and displays it on a computer monitor. SEMG electrodes are placed over the submental muscles which contract during swallowing resulting in a peak in the waveform on the screen. With the use of sEMG, participants are able to visualise and alter their muscle activity while swallowing. To make this task challenging, a target box will appear in a random position on the screen and participants will attempt swallow so that the peak of their swallow waveform lands within the target box. This challenging aspect of the therapy is intended to help to encourage cortical control of swallowing.

Paige and her team completed the study towards the end of 2020 and are now writing up papers for publication. In the meantime Paige has provided a summary of the study and its results for the MND Research network.  Impact of swallowing skill training protocol in patients with ALS (summary).

Relationship to MND

The research investigates prolonging functional swallowing and quality of life in patients with the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis type of Motor Neuron Disease.

Future Research

The current research is a proof of concept study. Further research will be conducted into swallowing therapy in patients with ALS.

Collaborations

Paige and the team are collaborating with Dr. Sebastian Doeltgen from Flinders University and Dr. Deanna Britton from Portland State University, who is consulting on this project.

Resources

The MND Patient Registry and MND New Zealand are assisting with participant recruitment.

Resource Gaps

More funding for MND research would help to increase both the quantity and quality of MND research in New Zealand.

The Team

Prof. Maggie-Lee Huckabee, senior supervisor of research project, oversees all stages of planning and development of research as well as data collection and analysis. Director of the Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research, University of Canterbury.

Dr. Phoebe Macrae, co-supervisor of research project. Deputy Director of the Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research, University of Canterbury.

Dr. Michelle Troche, associate supervisor of research project, will oversee data collection in New York. Director of the Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction, Columbia University.

Emma Burnip, Co-investigator, PhD candidate, performing data collection in New Zealand. Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research, University of Canterbury.

The Rose Centre

Contact

The University of Canterbury Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research

Leinster Chambers, Level One, 249 Papanui Road

Christchurch 8140

New Zealand

Paige Thomas

e: paige.thomas.92@gmail.com

Prof. Maggie-Lee Huckabee

p: +64 3 369 5124

e: Maggie-lee.huckabee@canterbury.ac.nz

Thoughtwired

ResearThought Wired Teamchers

Thought-Wired, are a multidisciplinary team consisting of:

Dr James Pau – Biomedical Engineer, Co-founder Dr Sarvnaz Taherian – Research Psychologist, Co-founder Dmitry Selitskiy – CEO, Co-founder They are based in Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne, Australia.

Current Research

The team are conducting ongoing research and development of a brain-computer interface for people with severe physical disabilities, such as Motor Neuron Disease and Cerebral Palsy. The main aim is to create a completely physical free communication and interaction system, that utilises the electrical signals of the brain to control applications on a computer. So far, as part of this research and development they have released a wearable eye blink switch called Nous Blink (www.getnous.app)

They have already done several studies to help understand the design requirements to build this system – including software, hardware and training/support components.

They previously conducted an observational study with Motor Neuron Disease New Zealand that focused on the experience of using the prototype of their technology by people with Motor Neuron Disease. The methodology was user-centered and incorporated both quantitative and qualitative methods. They looked at how their training may help people master the technology (quantitative) and how they perceived using and interacting with the system (qualitative). They do not have a set schedule of studies at the moment, due to the impact of COVID-19 and having to put research studies on hold.

Relationship to MND

Due to the progressive nature of motor neuron disease, people may get to a stage where no existing assistive technology can improve their functional abilities or enable them to communicate. Because brain-computer interfaces only rely on brain activity, it has the potential to assist people who have lost physical function and enable them to continue to participate and communicate later in the stages of the disease.

Future Research

They may continue to test re-iterations of the technology design, as they have noticed that they learn the most when working with the actual customers.

They are also considering conducting an efficacy study of the first product – Nous Blink – a wearable eye blink switch, which is also applicable to users with progressed MND.

Identified Gaps

It would be good to get an understanding of how many people currently live with MND, and what stages of the disease.

The Team

Thoughtwired are a multidisciplinary team who have been developing this technology for the past 8 years. There idea was inspired by the CEO, Dmitry, who has a cousin with severe cerebral palsy. No existing form of assistive technology works for him, but from his interactions, they know that he has a sound mind – he just lacks the physical ability to communicate his thoughts. Dmitry came across a TED talk that discussed this technology, which inspired him to try a create something useful for people who may be in a similar situation to his cousin.

From here, Sarvnaz and James came on board to help develop and test the proof of concept. Both have backgrounds in academia at the University of Auckland, and approached the development through psychological and technical approach. This meant that from the inception, they have been working with the disability community to understand the needs of all the people who would be using and interacting with the technology.

Currently, Dmitry and James are ongoingly involved with Thought-Wired work, while Sarvnaz acts as a consultant alongside her role with ADHB.

Publications

Caregiver and special education staff perspectives of a commercial brain-computer interface as access technology: a qualitative study Sarvnaz Taherian & T. Claire Davies (2018) Caregiver and special education staff perspectives of a commercial brain-computer interface as access technology: a qualitative study, Brain-Computer Interfaces, 5:2-3, 73-87

Contact Details 

e: hello@thought-wired.com w: http://www.thought-wired.com/