Brain-computer interface treatment for gait rehabilitation in stroke patients.

The use of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) as rehabilitation tools for chronically ill neurological patients has become more widespread. BCIs combined with other techniques allow the user to restore neurological function by inducing neuroplasticity through real-time detection of motor-imagery (MI) as patients perform therapy tasks. Twenty-five stroke patients with gait disability were recruited for this study. Participants performed 25 sessions with the MI-BCI and assessment visits to track functional changes during the therapy. The results of this study demonstrated a clinically significant increase in walking speed of 0.19 m/s, 95%CI [0.13-0.25], p  < 0.001. Patients also reduced spasticity and improved their range of motion and muscle contraction. The BCI treatment was effective in promoting long-lasting functional improvements in the gait speed of chronic stroke survivors. Patients have more movements in the lower limb; therefore, they can walk better and safer. This functional improvement can be explained by improved neuroplasticity in the central nervous system.
Competing Interests: MS-R, WC, RO, and SS were employed at g.tec medical engineering. CG was CEO of g.tec medical engineering, who developed and sells the BCI system used in this study. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The reviewer DI declared a past co-authorship with the authors RO and CG to the handling editor.
(Copyright © 2023 Sebastián-Romagosa, Cho, Ortner, Sieghartsleitner, Von Oertzen, Kamada, Laureys, Allison and Guger.)