Neural Correlates of Motor Recovery after Robot-Assisted Training in Chronic Stroke: A Multimodal Neuroimaging Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Stroke is a major cause of motor disability globally.
• Robot-assisted therapy is increasingly used for stroke rehabilitation.
• Understanding the neuroplasticity mechanisms of these therapies is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural correlates of motor function recovery using BCI-guided robot hand therapy.
• To explore the association between motor improvement and neuroimaging markers.
• To understand neuroplasticity changes from a multimodality perspective.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)-guided robot hand therapy.
• Employed EEG-informed fMRI for functional brain analysis.
• Performed correlation analyses on training effects, fractal dimension (FD), and M1-M1 connection integrity.

Main Results:

• EEG-informed fMRI identified significant changes in contralesional and ipsilesional brain regions.
• Interhemispheric asymmetry changes correlated with training effects and M1-M1 anatomical connection integrity.
• Neuroplasticity involved widespread functional brain regions beyond motor areas.

Conclusions:

• BCI-guided robot hand therapy induces widespread neuroplasticity.
• Interhemispheric interaction plays a critical role in motor rehabilitation after stroke.
• The integrity of the M1-M1 structural connection may influence interhemispheric changes during recovery.