A brain-computer study lets people with ALS choose how they communicate at home
Precious “Preciosa” Myers-Brown · Published
DisabilityOn November 4, 2026, Cognixion announced it is enrolling 30 adults with ALS across the United States in its CHOICE study, funded by the National Institutes of Health through the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Over 12 weeks at home, each participant uses three communication options: their own eye-tracking speech-generating tablet, a head-worn version of Cognixion’s brain-computer interface with augmented reality display glasses, and a touchscreen version.
What makes this study different is what it measures. Participants choose which option they want to use in each session, and the main outcome is how much time they voluntarily spend with each one. The study also looks at speed and accuracy, ease of use, workload, quality of life and caregiver burden. Sessions take place at home with a trained caregiver present, and the study team provides setup, training and regular check-ins.
To take part, a person must be 18 or older, have ALS that significantly affects their speech, and either have used a Tobii Dynavox or Smartbox eye-tracking speech-generating device for at least 30 days or be in the process of evaluating one. They also need a caregiver who can be trained and present for sessions. There is no cost to participate. The study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT07871071.
Communication is agency. Many people with ALS come to rely on eye tracking to communicate, and Cognixion says its system can support eye tracking and gaze detection alongside brain sensing without depending on eye movement. What I respect most is the question this study asks: not only whether a device works in a lab, but whether a person wants to live with it, day after day, in their own home. Bringing the research home also makes it reachable for people whose bodies already make travel hard.
Cognixion’s brain-computer interface is investigational. It isn’t approved or cleared by the FDA for any medical use, and there is no guarantee that anyone taking part will benefit. The study is just beginning, so there are no results yet.
Tech Equity
Tech equity means the person using the tool stays the author of their own conversation. Judging communication technology by what someone chooses, at home, over time, moves the measure beyond speed and toward a life that stays connected on that person’s terms.