Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42466073›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in human neuroscience2026

Effects of BCI-based lower limb robots on lower limb function and cognition in stroke patients: a preliminary systematic review.

Mengqi Shao, Xiurong Wang, Kui Wang, Kang Yang, Andi Zou, Bo Chen, Hui Zhang, Zhaoxiang Meng, Xing Jin

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in human neuroscience, 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

9 authors.

Mengqi ShaoRehabilitation Medicine Department, Yangzhou Second People's Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Xiurong WangBlood Purification Center, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Kui WangRehabilitation Medicine Department, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Kang YangRehabilitation Medicine Department, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Andi ZouRehabilitation Medicine Department, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Bo ChenRehabilitation Medicine Department, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Hui ZhangRehabilitation Medicine Department, Sunshine Union Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China.
Zhaoxiang MengRehabilitation Medicine Department, Yangzhou Second People's Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Xing JinRehabilitation Medicine Department, Yangzhou Second People's Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: BCI-based lower limb robots (BCI-LLR) represent a novel technology used in neurological rehabilitation for stroke patients. However, the effectiveness of BCI-LLR compared to traditional rehabilitation in improving lower extremity function and cognition remains a topic of debate. This study aimed to determine whether BCI-based lower limb robots are more effective than traditional rehabilitation for lower limb dysfunction after stroke. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The database retrieval was performed up until November 21, 2025. A systematic review of findings was conducted due to the limited number and the heterogeneity of studies. Results: A total of four studies (three RCTs and one single-arm pre-post study) with 117 stroke patients were included. BCI-LLR training significantly improved lower limb function, with one RCT showing significant between-group differences in FMA-L (+4.5 vs. +2.1, Conclusion: Preliminary evidence suggests BCI-LLR may improve lower limb function (FMA, BBS, TUG) and information processing speed (SDMT). However, effects on global cognition (MoCA) remain unclear, and sample sizes are critically small. Systematic review registration: This study was registered on the international system evaluation registration platform PROSPERO (CRD420251232191).

Indexed as

BCIcognitionlower limbroboticsstrokesystematic review

Identifiers

PMID42466073
PMCPMC13373103

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.