Brain–computer interfaces to promote upper limb functional motor recovery after stroke

Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology enables access to specific features of the brain activity, resulting as a promising approach in the rehabilitative protocols after stroke. In the last 10 years, several approaches have been designed, implemented, and tested in the context of randomized controlled trials, demonstrating the effectiveness of BCI-based rehabilitative interventions in the improvement of the upper limb motor function poststroke. Different characteristics in terms of stroke population, rehabilitative tasks, and feedback, such as visual, robotic, or electrical stimulation feedbacks, have been investigated. After overviewing the BCI system components, the main key-elements will be described and discussed in this chapter mainly from the technical and methodological point of view to ultimately identify possible future perspectives to improve and extend the use of BCI technology in clinical contexts.