  Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) allow users to control computer applications
by modulating their brain activity. Since BCIs rely solely on brain activity,
they have enormous potential as an alternative access method for engaging
children with severe disabilities and/or medical complexities in therapeutic
recreation and leisure. In particular, one commercially available BCI platform
is the Emotiv EPOC headset, which is a portable and affordable
electroencephalography (EEG) device. Combined with the EmotivBCI software, the
Emotiv system can generate a model to discern between different mental tasks
based on the user's EEG signals in real-time. While the Emotiv system shows
promise for use by the pediatric population in the setting of a BCI clinic, it
lacks integrated support that allows users to directly control computer
applications using the generated classification output. To achieve this, users
would have to create their own program, which can be challenging for those who
may not be technologically inclined. To address this gap, we developed a freely
available and user-friendly BCI software application called EmoconLite. Using
the classification output from EmotivBCI, EmoconLite allows users to play
YouTube video clips and a variety of video games from multiple platforms,
ultimately creating an end-to-end solution for users. Through its deployment in
the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital's BCI clinic, EmoconLite is
bridging the gap between research and clinical practice, providing children
with access to BCI technology and supporting BCI-enabled play.
