Home brain–computer interface program to help children with severe disabilities take part in daily life
Official title: BCI@Home: Brain Computer Interface Solutions to Enable Youth Living With Severe Disabilities
Run by University of Calgary · NCT07073378 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will try home-based brain–computer interface (BCI) systems to help children aged 5–18 with severe physical or communication disabilities reach personalized life participation goals.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 5 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 18 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Calgary Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Calgary, Alberta and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | August 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07073378 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are children aged 5–18 with severe motor impairment (non-ambulatory and minimal hand use) and/or severe communication impairment who can follow simple instructions and have a home environment suitable for BCI use.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with epileptic encephalopathy, unstable epilepsy, brain anatomy incompatible with BCI, or those unable to attend to simple tasks are unlikely to benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This single-arm, family-centered trial tests whether home-based BCI programs can help children with severe motor or communication impairments achieve personalized participation goals while studying how to expand access. The hybrid effectiveness-implementation design uses mixed methods to measure both clinical outcomes and real-world reach in parallel. The trial follows the Quality Implementation Framework and co-creates four implementation strategies with families and clinicians: technical support, scheduling flexibility, broad choice of BCI activities, and culturally safe care. Program delivery is home-based with support from Alberta Children's Hospital and Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, home BCI could let children with severe motor or communication impairments control devices and activities from home, increasing independence and participation in daily life.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary research has shown that some children can operate home BCI systems, but broad home-based implementation and equitable reach remain largely untested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 5-18 years * Severe motor impairment including inability to walk and minimal functional hand use, and/or; * Severe communication impairment * Ability to follow simple instructions and attend to simple tasks * Home environment suitable for the program based on clinician and family discussion; * Informed assent/consent Exclusion Criteria: * Epileptic encephalopathy * Unstable epilepsy, or * Brain imaging incompatible with BCI functionality
Where it's running
-
Alberta Children's Hospital
Calgary, Alberta, Canada Recruiting -
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Central Contact Person
- Email: alicia.hilderley@ucalgary.ca
- Phone: 403-955-7816
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.