Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42259992›Full record

SynthesisJournal of neurology2026

The effect of brain-computer interface training on cognitive function in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yuwen Fan, Limei Gao, Zihan Lin, Tianlan Zhang, Xiaoyan Bai, Lu Chen

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of neurology, 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

6 authors.

Yuwen FanDepartment of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-9427-6471
Limei GaoSchool of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-1689-9088
Zihan LinDepartment of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-1001-1285
Tianlan ZhangNanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Xiaoyan BaiDepartment of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China.
Lu ChenDepartment of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China. chenlu2020@nju.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0170-8778

Funding

Aid project ofJiangsu Ningai Medical Development &Medical Aid Foundation NDYGN2025005Clinical Trials from the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University 2024-LCYJ-MS-17National Natural Science Foundation of China 82471345
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study aims to assess the therapeutic impact of BCI-based interventions on global and domain-specific cognitive functions (attention, memory, and executive function), and activities of daily living in stroke survivors. Furthermore, we seek to identify the potential moderating effects of feedback modes and BCI paradigms on the overall rehabilitative efficacy.

methodsA systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and CNKI databases was conducted to identify eligible randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). Meta-analyses were performed by pooling standardized mean differences (SMDs) to synthesize effect sizes. To explore sources of heterogeneity and the effects of potential moderators, subgroup analyses were conducted according to outcome measures, stroke phase, BCI paradigm, and feedback type.

resultsTwelve studies were included. The meta-analysis demonstrated that BCI training significantly improved global cognitive function (SMD = 0.62, P < 0.00001), attention, and executive function, alongside enhanced activities of daily living performance. However, no significant improvement was observed in memory function. Subgroup analyses revealed that superior and more robust effects were associated with subacute patients, active BCI paradigms, and multimodal feedback (visual + auditory + proprioceptive).

conclusionBCI training is an effective intervention for post-stroke cognitive recovery. Early initiation of therapy and the integration of multimodal feedback appear to be critical factors for maximizing therapeutic outcomes.

Indexed as

Brain-Computer InterfacesCognitionCognitive DysfunctionStrokeStroke RehabilitationCognitive EnhancementHumansBrain–computer interfaceCognitive functionDose–response analysisMeta-analysisStroke rehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID42259992
PMCPMC13246830

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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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.