What do spinal cord injury consumers want? A review of spinal cord injury consumer priorities and neuroprosthesis from the 2008 neural interfaces conference

Objective: To summarize research to understand the priorities of consumers with spinal cord injury (SCI) as related to neuroprosthesis.

Materials and methods: This review is generated from results presented during a session at the 2008 Neural Interfaces Conference held in Cleveland, OH including presentations of research, observation of a panel discussion, and a case study.

Results: Understanding priorities of consumers living with SCI may help guide development of technology to potentially increase quality of life, confidence, and independence. Those living with quadriplegia desire arm and hand function while persons with paraplegia wish to regain sexual function. Shared priorities in the SCI population are the restoration of bladder and bowel function and the importance of exercise for functional recovery.

Conclusion: Understanding the consumer is the cornerstone to successful delivery of a neuroprosthesis. Translational research by multidisciplinary teams is needed to understand these issues and move technology for people living with SCI from the bench to the bedside.