Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41845449›Full record

SynthesisJournal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation2026

Biomarkers of stroke recovery using EEG-based resting-state functional connectivity: a systematic review.

Ettore Napoli, Fabio Masina, Rachele Pezzetta, Federico Vanni, Giulia Oliva, Maria Silvia Saccani, Daniele Marinazzo, Marco Zorzi, Dante Mantini, Giorgio Arcara

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

10 authors.

Ettore NapoliDepartment of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. ettore.napoli2@unibo.it.
Fabio MasinaDepartment of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Rachele PezzettaIRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy.
Federico VanniIRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy.
Giulia OlivaDepartment of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Maria Silvia SaccaniDepartment of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Daniele MarinazzoDepartment of Data Analysis, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Marco ZorziDepartment of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Dante MantiniMovement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Giorgio ArcaraDepartment of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

EEG-based resting-state functional connectivity (FC) has been widely explored as a prognostic tool in stroke recovery, offering a cost-effective alternative to fMRI. However, it remains unclear whether FC measures are reliable biomarkers for predicting stroke recovery. This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of existing EEG-based FC measures and their clinical relevance in stroke recovery. Specifically, this study aims to identify the most reliable and predictive FC measures of recovery by examining their relationship with longitudinal changes, clinical outcomes, and neurorehabilitation protocols. Results show that while some studies report associations between FC and recovery, no consistent patterns emerge. Significant methodological heterogeneity, such as differences in sensor- vs. source-level analysis, study design, connectivity measures, and reliance on correlational rather than predictive approach, limits the interpretability and comparability of results. Overall, these inconsistencies raise concerns about the reliability of EEG-based FC measures as biomarkers of stroke recovery. Moreover, while most studies focused on motor recovery, emerging evidence suggests FC may also help predict cognitive recovery. Future research should prioritize predictive models tailored to clinical needs, explore multidimensional recovery domains, and establish standardized protocols to enhance methodological consistency. By addressing these challenges and harnessing advanced computational techniques, EEG-based FC holds the potential to transform personalized rehabilitation strategies and optimize outcomes for stroke patients. Given the wide range of analytical scenarios and the absence of a superior method, we propose that a “multiverse” analytical approach could offer valuable insights into the most promising pathways for establishing connectivity as a potential biomarker for stroke recovery.

Indexed as

BrainElectroencephalographyRecovery of FunctionStrokeBiomarkersHumansRestStroke RehabilitationBiomarkers

Identifiers

PMID41845449
PMCPMC13107850

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.