2015/03/27 by Floriana Pichiorri, Giovanni Morone, Manuela Petti +8 · 1 citation
paper · doi:10.1002/ana.24390
Objective Motor imagery (MI) is assumed to enhance poststroke motor recovery, yet its benefits are debatable. Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) can provide instantaneous and quantitative measure of cerebral functions modulated by MI. The efficacy of BCI‐monitored MI practice as add‐on intervention to usual rehabilitation care was evaluated in a randomized controlled pilot study in subacute stroke patients. Methods Twenty‐eight hospitalized subacute stroke patients with severe motor deficits were randomized into 2 intervention groups: 1‐month BCI‐supported MI training (BCI group, n = 14) and 1‐month MI training without BCI support (control group; n = 14). Functional and neurophysiological assessments were performed before and after the interventions, including evaluation of the upper limbs by Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA; primary outcome measure) and analysis of oscillatory activity and connectivity at rest, based on high‐density electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. Results Better functional outcome was observed in the BCI group, including a significantly higher probability of achieving a clinically relevant increase in the FMA score ( p p Interpretation The introduction of BCI technology in assisting MI practice demonstrates the rehabilitative potential of MI, contributing to significantly better motor functional outcomes in subacute stroke patients with severe motor impairments. Ann Neurol 2015;77:851–865