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Giving rehabilitation a hand

16 Dec 2014

A new A*STAR collaboration offers an ideal environment to bridge the brain–computer divide for rehabilitation therapy

Brain–Computer Interface Technology is one of many research areas that will benefit from the collaborative nature of the Rehabilitation Research Institute of Singapore (RRIS).

Brain–Computer Interface Technology is one of many research areas that will benefit from the collaborative nature of the Rehabilitation Research Institute of Singapore (RRIS).

© 2014 A*STAR Institute for Infocomm Research

The concept of controlling objects by thought alone was once considered the exclusive domain of science fiction. Yet in a little over a decade, scientists have realized the wildest fantasies of futurists by developing brain–computer interface (BCI) technology and have taken the first steps toward alleviating the suffering of motor- and cognition-impaired patients. BCI technology received a further boost in September 2014 with the launch of a USD 100 million center dedicated to cutting-edge research in rehabilitation medicine.

The Rehabilitation Research Institute of Singapore (RRIS; pronounced ‘rise’) is a joint venture between A*STAR, Nanyang Technological University and the National Healthcare Group. It exploits their combined technological, academic and clinical expertise to address three main areas: stroke rehabilitation, ageing and psychosocial rehabilitation. “The development of innovative technologies in these areas is vital for providing better and more affordable care to patients,” notes Tan Geok Leng, executive director of A*STAR’s Science and Engineering Research Council.

BCI technology noninvasively captures neural signals from patients to address two key needs — direct communication with an external device (for example, a computer cursor or potentially a replacement limb, such as a robotic arm) and rehabilitation of brain activity for those with motor- or neural-impairments. The latter approach is of great interest to Cuntai Guan and colleagues at the A*STAR Institute for Infocomm Research.

BCI is envisaged as an “integrated holistic solution — one system, for all aspects of the body,” explains Guan. In a typical BCI session, the patient dons unobtrusive headgear, which enables neural signals to be collected — via an electroencephalogram for example — while the user performs a task such as playing a memory-based game. These signals are passed to a computer, which uses information about the patient’s attention levels to modify the next task.

Over the last decade, Guan has successfully used BCI for stroke rehabilitation, treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cognitive training of the elderly to delay neural decline. He has enjoyed a close relationship with Tan Tock Seng Hospital, which has led to highly effective clinical studies with very low dropout rates.

Representatives from A*STAR, Nanyang Technological University and the National Healthcare Group after signing a memorandum of understanding to found the RRIS.

Representatives from A*STAR, Nanyang Technological University and the National Healthcare Group after signing a memorandum of understanding to found the RRIS.

© 2014 National Healthcare Group

The most difficult aspect of his work has been the stop–start nature of the academic funding cycle, Guan notes. RRIS was designed to alleviate this and act as a “long-term center that can help speed up technology and translational research from insight through to patient trial, without interruption.” It plans to achieve this through fostering a spirit of collaboration so central to Guan’s work.

BCI is only one of many technologies supported through the RRIS collaboration. A*STAR’s other research institutes (including the Institute of Microelectronics, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore Immunology Network, Singapore Bioimaging Consortium and the Genome Institute of Singapore) will provide strong research and development capabilities in the areas of wearable electronics, immunosenescence, nutritional science and neuroimaging. “RRIS will accelerate the adoption and commercialization of A*STAR technologies by industry,” says Tan, “to make Singapore a top regional hub in rehabilitation science and medicine.”

But most importantly, says Guan, it is about helping people. “We have seen people’s lives being changed through our work, which is very inspiring.”

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore’s lead public sector agency that fosters world-class scientific research and talent to drive economic growth and transform Singapore into a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation driven economy.

In line with its mission-oriented mandate, A*STAR spearheads research and development in fields that are essential to growing Singapore’s manufacturing sector and catalyzing new growth industries. A*STAR supports these economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry.

A*STAR oversees 18 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis, as well as in their vicinity. These two R&D hubs house a bustling and diverse community of local and international research scientists and engineers from A*STAR’s research entities as well as a growing number of corporate laboratories.

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This article was made for A*STAR Research by Nature Research Custom Media, part of Springer Nature