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Updated: Oct 8, 2025
Author Spotlight: Using Motor Imagery Brain-Computer Interface to Improve Motor and Cognitive Function in Stroke Patients
Published on: September 1, 2023
Brain-Computer Interface Training Based on Brain Activity Can Induce Motor Recovery in Patients With Stroke: A
Ippei Nojima1, Hisato Sugata2, Hiroki Takeuchi3
1Department of Physical Therapy, 84161Shinshu University School of Health Sciences, Matsumoto, Japan.
Background:
Brain-computer interface (BCI) is a procedure involving brain activity in which neural status is provided to the participants for self-regulation. The current review aims to evaluate the effect sizes of clinical studies investigating the use of BCI-based rehabilitation interventions in restoring upper extremity function and effective methods to detect brain activity for motor recovery.
Methods:
A computerized search of MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and PEDro was performed to identify relevant articles. We selected clinical trials that used BCI-based training for post-stroke patients and provided motor assessment scores before and after the intervention. The pooled standardized mean differences of BCI-based training were calculated using the random-effects model.
Results:
We initially identified 655 potentially relevant articles; finally, 16 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria, involving 382 participants. A significant effect of neurofeedback intervention for the paretic upper limb was observed (standardized mean difference = .48, [.16-.80], P = .006). However, the effect estimates were moderately heterogeneous among the studies (I2 = 45%, P = .03). Subgroup analysis of the method of measurement of brain activity indicated the effectiveness of the algorithm focusing on sensorimotor rhythm.
Conclusion:
This meta-analysis suggested that BCI-based training was superior to conventional interventions for motor recovery of the upper limbs in patients with stroke. However, the results are not conclusive because of a high risk of bias and a large degree of heterogeneity due to the differences in the BCI interventions and the participants; therefore, further studies involving larger cohorts are required to confirm these results.
