What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess how brain-computer interface training affects upper-limb functional recovery and cortical activation patterns measured via functional near-infrared spectroscopy in ischemic stroke patients.

November 12, 2025Scientific ReportsOpen Access

Unveiling the upper-limb functional recovery mechanisms in stroke patients using brain-machine interfaces: a near-infrared functional imaging-based study

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Authors

JZJuan Zhang ZZZhiying Zhang YWYinlong Wang

Discussion

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Overview

Randomized trial demonstrates enhanced motor recovery and cortical activation in stroke patients using brain-computer interfaces, indicating improved neural network efficiency.

Key Points

To assess how brain-computer interface training affects upper-limb functional recovery and cortical activation patterns measured via functional near-infrared spectroscopy in ischemic stroke patients.
Thirty-four ischemic stroke patients with upper-limb dysfunction were randomly assigned via a random number table to either a treatment group (routine rehabilitation plus 30 min daily BCI training, 5 days/week for 4 weeks) or a control group (routine rehabilitation alone); 30 patients completed the study (n=15 per group).
Functional outcomes were assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks using the Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FM) and modified Barthel index (MBI).
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) monitored oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) across six regions of interest (ipsilesional and contralesional primary motor cortex, supplementary motor area, and somatosensory motor cortex) alongside brain network efficiency.
The BCI group achieved significantly greater improvements in FM scores compared to controls at 2 weeks (change: 5.867 ± 3.482 vs. 3.200 ± 2.077, P < 0.01, d = 0.93) and 4 weeks (change: 13.533 ± 5.705 vs. 7.133 ± 2.503, P < 0.05, d = 1.45).
MBI gains were significantly higher in the BCI group than controls at 2 weeks (13.400 ± 7.129 vs. 8.133 ± 4.357, P < 0.05, d = 0.89) and 4 weeks (27.867 ± 10.106 vs. 16.467 ± 7.010, P < 0.05, d = 1.31).
At 4 weeks, the BCI group exhibited significantly higher primary motor cortex activation (0.019 ± 0.017 vs. 0.007 ± 0.005 HbO, P < 0.01, d = 1.01) and elevated supplementary motor area levels (P < 0.001, d = 0.89), with network efficiency gains positively correlating with functional score improvements (P < 0.05).

Cite This Study

Zhang et al. (2025) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fa3f998df7279c8d55613 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-23267-6

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November 12, 2025Scientific ReportsOpen Access

Unveiling the upper-limb functional recovery mechanisms in stroke patients using brain-machine interfaces: a near-infrared functional imaging-based study

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

JZJuan Zhang ZZZhiying Zhang YWYinlong Wang

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Randomized trial demonstrates enhanced motor recovery and cortical activation in stroke patients using brain-computer interfaces, indicating improved neural network efficiency.

Key Points

To assess how brain-computer interface training affects upper-limb functional recovery and cortical activation patterns measured via functional near-infrared spectroscopy in ischemic stroke patients.
Thirty-four ischemic stroke patients with upper-limb dysfunction were randomly assigned via a random number table to either a treatment group (routine rehabilitation plus 30 min daily BCI training, 5 days/week for 4 weeks) or a control group (routine rehabilitation alone); 30 patients completed the study (n=15 per group).
Functional outcomes were assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks using the Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FM) and modified Barthel index (MBI).
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) monitored oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) across six regions of interest (ipsilesional and contralesional primary motor cortex, supplementary motor area, and somatosensory motor cortex) alongside brain network efficiency.
The BCI group achieved significantly greater improvements in FM scores compared to controls at 2 weeks (change: 5.867 ± 3.482 vs. 3.200 ± 2.077, P < 0.01, d = 0.93) and 4 weeks (change: 13.533 ± 5.705 vs. 7.133 ± 2.503, P < 0.05, d = 1.45).
MBI gains were significantly higher in the BCI group than controls at 2 weeks (13.400 ± 7.129 vs. 8.133 ± 4.357, P < 0.05, d = 0.89) and 4 weeks (27.867 ± 10.106 vs. 16.467 ± 7.010, P < 0.05, d = 1.31).
At 4 weeks, the BCI group exhibited significantly higher primary motor cortex activation (0.019 ± 0.017 vs. 0.007 ± 0.005 HbO, P < 0.01, d = 1.01) and elevated supplementary motor area levels (P < 0.001, d = 0.89), with network efficiency gains positively correlating with functional score improvements (P < 0.05).

Cite This Study

Zhang et al. (2025) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fa3f998df7279c8d55613 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-23267-6

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