Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40195429›Full record

Trial reportScientific reports2025

Efficacy of kinesthetic motor imagery based brain computer interface combined with tDCS on upper limb function in subacute stroke.

Zhang Ming, Wu Yu, Jia Fan, Gao Ling, Chu Fengming, Tang Wei

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed, 6 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

13 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  9. [A review of noninvasive brain-computer interfaces combined with transcranial electrical stimulation for neural rehabilitation].Sheng wu yi xue gong cheng xue za zhi = Journal of biomedical engineering = Shengwu yixue gongchengxue zazhi · 2026
    Review
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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

6 authors.

Zhang MingDepartment of Mechatronic Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Jiangsu, China.
Wu YuDepartment of Sports Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Jia FanDepartment of Rehabilitation, Chongming Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Gao LingThe Affiliated Xuzhou Rehabilitation Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.
Chu FengmingThe Affiliated Xuzhou Rehabilitation Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.
Tang WeiDepartment of Mechatronic Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Jiangsu, China. tangwei@cumt.edu.cn.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China No.52375224the Xuzhou Key Medical Talents Project XWRCHT20220045
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This study investigates whether the combined effect of kinesthetic motor imagery-based brain computer interface (KI-BCI) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on upper limb function in subacute stroke patients is more effective than using KI-BCI or tDCS alone. Forty-eight subacute stroke survivors were randomized to the KI-BCI, tDCS, or BCI-tDCS group. The KI-BCI group performed 30 min of KI-BCI training. Patients in tDCS group received 30 min of tDCS. Patients in BCI-tDCS group received 15 min of tDCS and 15 min of KI-BCI. The treatment cycle was five times a week, for four weeks. After all intervention, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity, Motor Status Scale, and the Modified Barthel Index scores of the KI-BCI group were superior to those of the tDCS group. The BCI-tDCS group was superior to the tDCS group in terms of the Motor Status Scale. Although quantitative EEG showed no significant group differences, the quantitative EEG indices in the tDCS group were significantly lower than before treatment. In conclusion, after treatment, although all intervention strategies improved upper limb motor function and daily living abilities in subacute stroke patients, KI-BCI demonstrated significantly better efficacy than tDCS. Under the same total treatment duration, the combined use of tDCS and KI-BCI did not achieve the hypothesized optimal outcome. Notably, tDCS reduced QEEG indices, possibly indicating favorable future outcomes in future.Trial registry number: ChiCTR2000034730.

Indexed as

Brain-Computer InterfacesKinesthesisStrokeStroke RehabilitationTranscranial Direct Current StimulationUpper ExtremityAdultAgedElectroencephalographyFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedTreatment OutcomeBrain computer interfaceMotor imageryNeurological rehabilitationStrokeUpper limb

Identifiers

PMID40195429
PMCPMC11977199

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.