Brain–Computer Interface-Controlled Exoskeletons in Clinical Neurorehabilitation: Ready or Not?

Brain-computer interface-controlled exoskeletons (B/NEs) are emerging as promising tools for neurorehabilitation, especially after stroke or spinal cord injury. These devices translate brain activity into control signals for wearable actuators, enabling movement even with impaired motor function. Repeated use of B/NEs over several weeks has been shown to potentially trigger motor recovery, even in cases of chronic paralysis. The development of lightweight robotic actuators and reliable brain control strategies are paving the way for B/NEs to enter clinical care. The successful integration of B/NEs into clinical practice relies on early adoption by research-oriented therapists and clinicians, who can provide valuable data and feedback to manufacturers, ultimately improving the devices' robustness and applicability.

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  Brain/neural exoskeletons (B/NEs) enable the execution of movements despite impaired motor function by converting brain/neural activity into control signals of wearable actuators.
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  Repeated use of B/NEs can trigger motor recovery, even in chronic paralysis.
• 3
  Efficacy of BCIs depended on the type of sensory feedback: somatosensory and proprioceptive feedback, for example, administered via a robotic orthosis, was found to be superior in facilitating neural reorganization in the brain when compared to visual presentation of hand movements only.