Research and Development

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) reflects a field of clinical and technical research that is growing quickly and garnering interest worldwide.  While BCI development advances rapidly, there is a lack of research around use by individuals with significant neurological disabilities, especially children.

The Imagination Centre's research focuses on adapting BCI technology for individuals with neurological disabilities, including adapting BCI paradigms, training methods and applications, and optimizing signal processing algorithms.  The program is primarily focused on how BCIs can improve the quality of life and meaningful participation of people with disabilities. 

The Imagination Centre research program is patient-oriented, meaning patients drive our research questions.  We are striving for a truly integrated clinical and research program, with researchers, clinicians, patients, and their families working together to advance BCI research and development.  

Join the Team

The Imagination Centre research program is affiliated with the University of Alberta's Assistive Technology Lab, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, and Faculty of Engineering.

Are you are interested in joining the BCI program as a graduate student or post-doctoral fellow? Please contact us.

The program also accepts summer student internships and co-op placements. Contact us to learn more.

We are always eager to collaborate with other research and clinical groups. Reach out to learn more about opportunities to collaborate with the lab.

Current Projects

BCI Patient Predictors and Experiences

This study aims to:

Describe the experiences of children with motor disabilities (and their caregivers) using BCI systems
Determine whether clinical characteristics predict the experiences of children with motor disabilities (and their caregivers) using BCI systems
Operationalize a local registry of families interested in participating in future pediatric BCI research, including patient and family-oriented research priorities

Project Leads: Dr. John Andersen, Corinne Tuck, Michelle Roy, Dr. Kim Adams 
Principal Investigator: Dr. John Andersen, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital/University of Alberta 

Access to Play Through a Non-Invasive Brain Computer Interface

This study aims to:

Describe how BCI facilitates engaged play for children with severe motor and communication impairments
Describe the experiences and satisfaction of individuals with severe motor and communication impairments (and their caregivers) using BCI systems
Track changes to BCI system performance and participant performance on personalized goals over time

Project Leads: Dr. Kim Adams, Dr. John Andersen, Corinne Tuck
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kim Adams, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta

BCI Move: Empowering severely disabled children to achieve power mobility with BCI

This multi-site study explores if BCI can be used as a technology to access and drive powered mobility devices for children with severe physical impairments who may have limited success with more common access methods like joysticks or switches.  

Project Leads: Erica Floreani & Danette Rowley, BCI4Kids, Alberta Children’s Hospital/University of Calgary 
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Adam Kirton, University of Calgary; Dr. John Andersen, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital/University of Alberta

Exploration of family expectations and experiences with BCI-enabled power mobility

This study aims to:

Illustrate challenges accessing power mobility for new and previous power users and their caregivers
Explore the needs and expectations for BCI-enabled power mobility of patients and caregivers
Describe experiences of patients and caregivers after participating in a BCI-enabled power mobility training program

Project Leads: Dr. John Andersen, Corinne Tuck, Leah Hammond, Michelle Roy
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lesley Pritchard, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta