Clinically meaningful applications and evaluations of brain-computer interfaces

Following the first human implantation of a brain-computer interface (BCI) just over two decades ago, implantable BCIs have enabled individuals with severe motor impairments to control computer cursors, robotic prosthetic limbs, and generate speech outputs. Despite these technological advances, the clinical translation of implantable BCI devices remains limited. Beyond engineering challenges such as device charging, packaging, and device capabilities, other factors limit BCI device translation at scale to deliver maximum patient benefit. These barriers include a limited understanding of patient preferences, the absence of a validated clinical outcome assessment, and no existing BCI health economics analyses.


This Research Topic aims to bridge the gap between engineering advances and clinical deployment of BCIs by focusing on the clinically meaningful use and evaluation of BCI devices. This topic seeks to advance BCI topics with relevance for clinicians, caregivers, patients, and regulatory bodies. We welcome submissions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Studies demonstrating brain-computer interface patient preferences and priorities.

• Development and validation of clinical outcome assessments specific to BCIs.

• Demonstrations of clinically meaningful BCI applications in primary clinical studies, showcasing real-world benefits.

• Clinical protocols for BCI implantation and post-implant training.

• Investigations into the caregiver experience and the indirect benefits of BCI devices.

• Health economics analyses of BCI applications, including cost-effectiveness studies.

We welcome various submission formats, including original research, reviews, perspectives, case reports, and clinical trials protocols.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Brain-Computer Interfaces, implantable BCIs, motor impairment, robotic prosthetic limbs

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.