In this webinar, presented on October 31, 2023 by Stefanie Blain-Moraes*, you will learn about biomusic – an innovative assistive technology that records emotion-related changes in physiological signals and converts them into musical output. Biomusic enables caregivers of minimally communicative individuals to “tune in” to reactions and emotional states that would otherwise be hidden. In research studies with children in complex continuing care and individuals with advanced dementia, caregivers reported that biomusic supported interpersonal connection and relationship with the user. Although promising, this technology has never been tried by person with ALS.
*Biography: Stefanie Blain-Moraes is the inventor of biomusic, a biomedical engineer, and an Associate Professor at the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University. Stefanie also has her ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and combines her love of music with her expertise in physiological signal analysis in her biomusic technology.
The second part of the webinar is dedicated to a discussion on how this technology might be adapted to the needs of persons with ALS and their caregivers.