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Author Spotlight: Using Motor Imagery Brain-Computer Interface to Improve Motor and Cognitive Function in Stroke Patients
Published on: September 1, 2023
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Motor imagery combined with brain-computer interface for stroke patients: a meta-analysis
Yuhuang Lin1, Yong Yuan2, Jingjing Chen3
1Department of Rehabilitation, Sanya Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hainan Hospital), Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Sanya, Hainan, China.
Frontiers in Neurology
|February 5, 2026
Summary
Motor imagery combined with brain-computer interface (MI-BCI) shows promise for stroke recovery. When used alongside conventional therapy for at least four weeks, MI-BCI significantly improves daily living activities and upper limb function in stroke patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Engineering
- Clinical Neurology and Physical Therapy
Background:
- Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, necessitating innovative rehabilitation strategies.
- Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) offer a novel approach to motor rehabilitation by translating neural activity into device control.
- Motor imagery (MI) involves mentally rehearsing movements, which can activate similar neural pathways as actual movement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the effects of combining motor imagery with brain-computer interface (MI-BCI) therapy on stroke patients.
- To determine the efficacy of MI-BCI in improving motor function and activities of daily living (ADL) post-stroke.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted.
- Searches were performed across multiple databases (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science) up to June 2025.
- Data from 8 RCTs involving 357 stroke patients were analyzed using RevMan 5.2 software.
Main Results:
- MI-BCI showed a trend towards improving upper limb motor function (SMD=0.86, p=0.06), but did not reach statistical significance.
- A statistically significant, moderate-to-large improvement was observed in activities of daily living (SMD=1.47, p=0.003).
- Subgroup analyses revealed that MI-BCI's efficacy for motor function was significant when used as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation or for durations of ≥4 weeks.
Conclusions:
- The therapeutic context of MI-BCI is crucial for its effectiveness in stroke rehabilitation.
- When integrated with conventional rehabilitation, MI-BCI significantly enhances both upper limb motor function and ADL in stroke survivors.
- An intervention duration of at least four weeks is recommended for substantial functional gains. MI-BCI alone does not appear superior to motor imagery alone.
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