Therapeutic effects of brain-computer interface-controlled functional electrical stimulation training on balance and...

Brain-computer interface-controlled functional electrical stimulation (BCI-FES) approaches as new feedback training is increasingly being investigated for its usefulness in improving the health of adults or partially impaired upper extremity function in individuals with stroke.

To evaluate the effects of BCI-FES on postural control and gait performance in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke.

A total of 25 individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke (13 individuals received BCI-FES and 12 individuals received functional electrical stimulation [FES]). The BCI-FES group received BCI-FES on the tibialis anterior muscle on the more-affected side for 30 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 5 weeks. The FES group received FES using the same methodology for the same periods. This study used the Mann-Whitney test to compare the two groups before and after training.

After training, gait velocity (mean value, 29.0 to 42.0 cm/s) (P = .002) and cadence (mean value, 65.2 to 78.9 steps/min) (P = .020) were significantly improved after BCI-FES training compared to those (mean value, 23.6 to 27.7 cm/s, and mean value, 59.4 to 65.5 steps/min, respectively) after FES approach. In the less-affected side, step length was significantly increased after BCI-FES (mean value, from 28.0 cm to 34.7 cm) more than that on FES approach (mean value, from 23.4 to 25.4 cm) (P = .031).

The results of the BCI-FES training shows potential advantages on walking abilities in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke.