[Rehabilitation of post stroke patients using a bioengineering system "brain-computer interface + exoskeleton"]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Context:

• Stroke survivors often experience upper extremity paresis, significantly impacting their quality of life and independence.
• Traditional rehabilitation methods may have limitations in restoring complex motor functions.
• Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) offer a novel approach to neurorehabilitation by bridging the gap between neural signals and external devices.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a bioengineering system integrating an electroencephalograph (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) with a hand exoskeleton for motor rehabilitation.
• To assess the real-time application of EEG signal processing for controlling hand movements in post-stroke patients.
• To investigate improvements in motor function, neurological status, and daily activities following BCI-exoskeleton therapy.

Summary:

• Five patients with post-stroke upper extremity paresis underwent 8-10 rehabilitation sessions using the "brain-computer interface + exoskeleton" system.
• The system utilized EEG for synchronous data transmission, signal recognition, and classification to guide intended actions in real time.
• Patients exhibited positive changes in neurological status (NIHSS), increased hand movement volume and power, improved coordination, reduced spasticity, and enhanced daily activities (Barthel Index).

Impact:

• The "brain-computer interface + exoskeleton" system demonstrated significant positive outcomes in motor rehabilitation for post-stroke patients with hand paresis.
• Findings suggest a promising therapeutic approach for improving functional recovery and reducing disability in this patient population.
• Further research is warranted to validate these preliminary results in larger cohorts.