Scoping Review on Brain-Computer Interface–Controlled Electrical Stimulation Interventions for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Adults: A Look at Participants, Interventions, and Technology

Physiotherapy Canada, 2023 · DOI: 10.3138/ptc-2021-0074 · Published: January 1, 2023

Assistive Technology Neurology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This review examines studies that combine a brain-computer interface (BCI) with electrical stimulation (ES) for upper limb movement rehabilitation. The aim is to summarize evidence on study participant populations, BCI-ES interventions, and the BCI-ES systems used. The review found that most studies focused on stroke patients, with fewer studies involving spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Future research should address this gap.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

272 participants: 254 with stroke and 18 with SCI

Evidence Level

Scoping Review

Key Findings

1
The majority of studies focused on stroke populations (20 out of 23), with a smaller number focusing on SCI populations.
2
EEG was the most common method for acquiring brain activity in BCI systems.
3
FES was more commonly used than NMES in the reviewed studies.

Research Summary

This scoping review aimed to consolidate existing information on using BCI-ES technology to enhance therapeutic interventions for upper limb motor functions. The review identified a need for more studies investigating the effects of BCI-ES interventions following SCI, particularly in chronic and female populations. Standardization in BCI-ES interventions should be considered to evaluate BCI-ES rehabilitation strategies in clinical environments.

Practical Implications

Future Research

More studies are needed to investigate the effects of BCI-ES interventions following SCI, specifically in chronic and female populations.

Clinical Practice

Standardization of BCI-ES interventions, including setup time and device parameters, is needed for clinical implementation.

Therapist Involvement

A clinician trained in neurorehabilitation should be part of future studies investigating BCI-ES interventions.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of critical appraisal of the included sources of evidence, limiting the ability to evaluate study quality and risk of bias.
2
Significant diversity in the outcome measures used in the analyzed studies, which limits the strength of the evidence.
3
The number of studies analyzed were case studies and case series suggesting a lower quality of evidence relative to randomized controlled trials.

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