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Updated: May 28, 2026
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Motor Imagery Brain-Computer Interface in Rehabilitation of Upper Limb Motor Dysfunction After Stroke
Published on: September 1, 2023
Development and feasibility of a motor imagery-based brain-computer interface-controlled closed-loop functional
Cui Yu1,2, Xinchun Dong2, Yuting Zhang3
1School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China.
Journal of Neural Engineering
|May 26, 2026
Summary
A novel brain-computer interface system using motor imagery controlled functional electrical stimulation (FES) shows promise for treating post-stroke dysphagia. This closed-loop system is technically feasible, usable, and safe for short-term intervention in patients with swallowing difficulties.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Conventional swallowing functional electrical stimulation (FES) often lacks precise synchronization with voluntary swallowing intent.
- Post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) significantly impacts quality of life and necessitates improved therapeutic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a motor imagery-based brain-computer interface (MI-BCI) controlled closed-loop swallowing FES system for PSD.
- To investigate the neurophysiological underpinnings, decoding accuracy, and short-term feasibility of this novel system.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted: Experiment 1 identified electroencephalography (EEG) features during swallowing motor imagery (SMI) in healthy controls (HC), PSD, and post-stroke non-dysphagia (PSND) groups, and validated a decoder.
- Experiment 2 assessed the feasibility, usability, and safety of the MI-BCI-controlled closed-loop FES system in 10 PSD patients over 2 weeks.
Main Results:
- SMI elicited distinct EEG spectral power ratio changes, with a significant decrease in the δ/α ratio across all groups.
- The developed decoder achieved 71.5% classification accuracy in an independent cohort.
- The MI-BCI FES system demonstrated 100% adherence, high usability (System Usability Scale score of 72.8), and no serious adverse events in PSD patients.
Conclusions:
- The MI-BCI-controlled closed-loop swallowing FES system is technically feasible for PSD treatment.
- The system exhibits acceptable short-term usability and a favorable safety profile.
- This approach offers a promising avenue for enhancing swallowing function rehabilitation in post-stroke individuals.
