Table 4 Studies with experts/professionals

Ahn et al., 2014 [12]

questionnaire

36 game developer, 90 researchers

developers prefer active and reactive BCIs, researchers prefer reactive BCIs

developers are more concerned about the user’s opinion in contrast to the researchers

high potential of BCI and BCI games; further potential fields: in particular rehabilitation and prosthetics

Grübler et al., 2014 [85]

survey

17 BCI professionals

ethical concerns reported: the duty of correct information transfer, avoiding unrealistic expectations in participants, BCI illiteracy, the risk of detrimental brain modifications due to BCI use and privacy issues

Morone et al., 2015 [63]

focus group + questionnaire

15 therapists

acceptance among therapists depends on their respective technical competence and attitude; skepticism about precondition of technical knowledge/skills

future BCIs would require more goal-oriented feedback and spasticity monitoring

Nijboer et al., 2013 [107]

survey

145 BCI professionals

disagreement regarding terminology/definitions of BCIs and marketability of different BCIs; ethical concerns reported: informed consent, benefits/risks, team responsibility, consequences, liability/personal identity, and interaction with the media; non-invasive BCIs are estimated as being of low risk (indecisive about invasive BCIs); most BCI professionals hold the view that BCI users are responsible for their actions, while being uncertain regarding issues of liability; the effect of BCI activity on personal identity and self-image on the users are deemed to be unclear

Nijboer et al., 2014 [108]

survey + focus group

28 rehabilitation professionals (focus group: n = 28, survey: n = 18)

the professionals ascribed no added value to BCI technology

human problems and practical issues should be taken into consideration

potential BCI users are identified as those who possess intact cognition and have no extant physical or sudden movements (seizures, spasms) which can cause problems

Pedrocchi et al., 2013 [104]

focus group

14 experts (mostly health care professionals)

reproduction of natural movements, ease of use, capability of multitasking, affordability

Zickler et al., 2011 [71]

questionnaires

3 assistive technology experts

setting too complex, setup time to long, long selection procedure, restricted mobility, prone to body movements

improved cap and gel solution

BCI as promising tool for the future