Facilitating Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Motor Imagery Brain-Computer Interface With Robotic Feedback for Stroke Rehabilitation

Closed-loop brain training: the science of neurofeedback

“…One RCT compared a BCI-augmented robotic arm therapy, based on the detection of movement intention with SMR desynchronization by a real-time Bayesian classifier, with a standalone robotic arm therapy 140 . Both treatment groups showed improvements in terms of their Fugl-Meyer scores, but there was no marked difference between the two groups.…”

Interfacing brain with computer to improve communication and rehabilitation after brain damage

“…In this context, the possibility of integrating a BCI system with other technologies is invaluable (Belda-Lois et al, 2011;Ramos-Murguialday et al, 2013). We have mentioned the combination of BCIs with noninvasive brain stimulation techniques, such as tDCS (Ang et al, 2015); peripheral electrical stimulation in the form of functional electrical stimulation can also be controlled safely through the BCI for upper and lower limbs Daly et al, 2009;McCrimmon et al, 2015). BCIs and other technology-based strategies should be considered instruments in the hands of rehabilitation professionals (ie, therapists and medical doctors) and evaluated in light of the multifaceted and complex environment of current rehabilitation options for poststroke patients.…”

“…Notably, the possibility of integrating neuromodulation techniques to boost neuroplasticity by optimizing the substratum on which they operate at the CNS level has also been explored-one example is the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to increase sensorimotor reactivity in a BCI setting (Ang et al, 2015;Kasashima et al, 2012). This approach has been developed further to use the information on brain activity derived from the BCI to trigger the neuromodulation paradigm with the optimal timing and condition (Plow et al, 2009;Soekadar et al, 2014;Walter et al, 2012).…”

Facilitating Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Motor Imagery Brain-Computer Interface with Robotic Feedback for Stroke Rehabilitation

“…Based on that, the cited article investigates the efficacy and effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on motor imagery brain-computer with robotic feedback for stroke rehabilitation [1]. The exact mechanism by which tDCS modulates brain excitability to induce plasticity and promote subsequent behavioral gains is not totally clear.…”

“…The contribution brought by Ang et al [1] is the evaluation of the efficacy of tDCS on MI-BCI in post stroke motor recovery, however the sample size is too small, nineteen subjects were selected from a hospital stroke rehabilitation program. The intervention group received ten sessions of 20 minutes of tDCS or sham before 1 hour of motor imagery brain computer interface (MI-BCI) with robotic feedback upper limb stroke rehabilitation for 2 weeks.…”