Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39757218›Full record

Trial reportJournal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation2025

Efficacy of brain-computer interface training with motor imagery-contingent feedback in improving upper limb function and neuroplasticity among persons with chronic stroke: a double-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial.

Myeong Sun Kim, Hyunju Park, Ilho Kwon, Kwang-Ok An, Hayeon Kim, Gyulee Park, Wooseok Hyung, Chang-Hwan Im, Joon-Ho Shin

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 31 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
31citing papers in PubMed, 7 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

31 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  16. Brain-computer interface: an update for the clinicians.Frontiers in human neuroscience · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Myeong Sun KimTranslational Research Center for Rehabilitation Robots, National Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul, Korea.
Hyunju ParkTranslational Research Center for Rehabilitation Robots, National Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul, Korea.
Ilho KwonTranslational Research Center for Rehabilitation Robots, National Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul, Korea.
Kwang-Ok AnDepartment of Healthcare and Public Health Research, Rehabilitation Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul, Korea.
Hayeon KimDepartment of Healthcare and Public Health Research, Rehabilitation Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul, Korea.
Gyulee ParkTranslational Research Center for Rehabilitation Robots, National Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul, Korea.
Wooseok HyungDepartment of Artificial Intelligence, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Chang-Hwan ImDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Joon-Ho ShinTranslational Research Center for Rehabilitation Robots, National Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul, Korea. asfreelyas@gmail.com.

Funding

Translational Research Program for Rehabilitation Robots, National Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea NRCTR-IN20001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBrain-computer interface (BCI) technology can enhance neural plasticity and motor recovery in persons with stroke. However, the effects of BCI training with motor imagery (MI)-contingent feedback versus MI-independent feedback remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the contingent connection between MI-induced brain activity and feedback influences functional and neural plasticity outcomes. We hypothesized that BCI training, with MI-contingent feedback, would result in greater improvements in upper limb function and neural plasticity compared to BCI training, with MI-independent feedback.

methodsThis randomized controlled trial included persons with chronic stroke who underwent BCI training involving functional electrical stimulation feedback on the affected wrist extensor. Primary outcomes included the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale score for muscle strength in the wrist extensor (MRC-WE) and active range of motion in wrist extension (AROM-WE). Resting-state electroencephalogram recordings were used to assess neural plasticity.

resultsCompared to the MI-independent feedback BCI group, the MI-contingent feedback BCI group showed significantly greater improvements in MRC-WE scores (mean difference = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.03-1.00, p = 0.036) and demonstrated increased AROM-WE at 4 weeks post-intervention (p = 0.019). Enhanced functional connectivity in the affected hemisphere was observed in the MI-contingent feedback BCI group, correlating with MRC-WE and Fugl-Meyer assessment-distal scores. Improvements were also observed in the unaffected hemisphere's functional connectivity.

conclusionsBCI training with MI-contingent feedback is more effective than MI-independent feedback in improving AROM-WE, MRC, and neural plasticity in individuals with chronic stroke. BCI technology could be a valuable addition to conventional rehabilitation for stroke survivors, enhancing recovery outcomes.

trial registrationCRIS (KCT0009013).

Indexed as

Brain-Computer InterfacesFeedbackImagery, PsychotherapyNeuronal PlasticityRecovery of FunctionStrokeUpper ExtremityAdultAgedChronic DiseaseDouble-Blind MethodElectroencephalographyFemaleHumansImaginationMaleBrain-computer interfaceBrain-machine interfaceRandomized clinical trialRehabilitationStroke

Identifiers

PMID39757218
PMCPMC11702034

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.