Short-term BCI intervention enhances functional brain connectivity associated with motor performance in chronic...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Brain-computer interface (BCI) rehabilitation shows potential for stroke recovery.
• Mechanisms behind BCI-induced motor improvements in chronic stroke remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate functional brain connectivity changes after BCI training in chronic stroke patients.
• To correlate these connectivity changes with motor function improvements.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal crossover study with 21 chronic stroke participants.
• Four weeks of motor imagery-based BCI training, with staggered intervention weeks.
• Resting-state functional MRI scans before and after BCI training.

Main Results:

• Increased functional connectivity between the default mode network (DMN) medial prefrontal cortex and motor areas post-BCI training.
• Observed connectivity changes correlated with improved upper-extremity motor function (Fugl-Meyer scores).

Conclusions:

• BCI training enhances brain connectivity, contributing to motor function recovery in chronic stroke.
• Findings support BCI as a tool to augment neuroplasticity and guide future rehabilitation strategies.