BCIwiki (bciwiki.com) — Brain-computer interface (BCI) methods based on electroencephalography (EEG) significantly improve clinical outcomes in stroke survivors, according to a systematic review of 32 articles by researchers affiliated with Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and AGH University of Krakow, reported in Issues of Rehabilitation Orthopaedics Neurophysiology and Sport Promotion – IRONS on September 23, 2026.
Following PRISMA guidelines, the team searched 5 major databases to assess the therapeutic efficacy of EEG-based BCIs in post-stroke neurorehabilitation, focusing on motor function and the induction of neuroplasticity. Most approaches centered on motor imagery combined with virtual reality, functional electrical stimulation or robotic exoskeletons to close the sensorimotor loop.
Protocols varied widely. Sessions ran from brief tasks to 1-hour protocols, and total training ranged from pilot studies to regimens of up to 80 sessions, averaging about 30. Most studies used high-density EEG setups, typically 20 or 32 leads. Cohorts were predominantly patients with chronic ischemic stroke, while healthy individuals were often recruited for system validation.
The review reported significant improvements on clinical scales, particularly the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and in neurophysiological markers such as mu rhythm suppression. The authors cautioned that the extent of neurological benefit depends on the BCI modality and stroke characteristics, and said future work needs standardized protocols to optimize dosage and to include underrepresented patient groups.