BCI system with lower-limb robot improves rehabilitation in spinal cord injury patients through short-term training: a pilot study

This study introduces a brain-computer interface (BCI) system combined with a lower-limb robot to help patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) regain motor function through short-term training. The system uses EEG signals related to motor intentions to drive the robot, providing bidirectional stimulation (descending motor control and ascending sensory signals) to the SCI area, which enhances training effectiveness. The system includes a decision tree to determine the appropriate training mode for patients with varying degrees of injury, ensuring tailored rehabilitation.

• 1
  All patients learned to use the BCI system quickly and maintained high engagement during training.
• 2
  The strength of key lower limb muscles improved in the patients who participated in the short-term training.
• 3
  Four patients with AIS A/B (motor complete injury) were upgraded to AIS C (motor incomplete injury) after training.