Hybrid brain computer interface-based rehabilitation addressing post-stroke maladaptive movement patterns

Hybrid Brain-Computer Interfaces (hBCI) integrate brain and muscle signals to enhance motor rehabilitation of stroke survivors, by closing the loop between the lesioned brain and the paretic limb. To date, little attention has been devoted to their potential efficacy in managing the maladaptive movement patterns that afflict post-stroke motor outcome (unwanted abnormal co-contrations, spasticity). This study proposes a comparison of Cortico-Muscular Coherence (CMC) patterns assessed in stroke patients before and after a 1-month rehabilitation intervention based on a hBCI-controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) treatment, which included a module to monitor non-physiological movement patterns. Results demonstrated the efficacy of this type of assistive technology for post-stroke rehabilitation, addressing patient-tailored interventions able to reduce the maladaptive mechanisms.