Discussion
stroke, hemiplegia, alertness
STROKE
In the present study, we introduced the results of a clinical study on the effects of MI-BCI combined with conventional rehabilitation training on upper limb function and attention in stroke patients with hemiplegia and compared these results with those of conventional rehabilitation training. The correlation between motor function recovery and attention improvement was also explored.Improvements in motor function were reflected by the changes in FMA-UE, WMFT, and MBI from the baseline to 3 weeks. Our results showed a significant improvement in motor function in the BCI group compared with the conventional rehabilitation group. The results of our study are consistent with the results of the previous controlled studies that employed motor-imagery BCIs. In particular, Long [This study also explored the changes in the ANT, SDMT, and Schulte Grid test as indexes to assess the improvement of attention in stroke patients. An increase in the alert and orienting network response time and the correct number, as well as a decrease in the executive control network and total average response time and total time, were observed, suggesting an improvement in attention. Results showed that participants in the BCI group obtained greater improvements in attention than the participants in the conventional rehabilitation group. MI-BCI could improve the information processing speed and alertness to the outside world in stroke patients, thus improving their attention level, which is also consistent with previous studies. Kim and Lee [Our results also indicated that enhanced sustained attention and information processing speed, as assessed by ANT, SDMT, and Schulte Grid test, were positively correlated with improved motor function levels. This is similar to previous studies that have found the BCI system can influence overall rehabilitation outcomes in terms of motor and cognitive aspects [The MI-BCI system can transform the accuracy of MI into quantifiable metrics and provide real-time feedback to patients. Feedback comes in the form of visual, auditory, haptic and kinesthetic feedback [The closed-loop BCI system can also be used as a neurofeedback platform to improve and enhance individual cognitive performance [