Relief of neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury by brain–computer interface training

This study explores a new way to help people with nerve pain after a spinal cord injury using a brain-computer interface (BCI). The BCI helps the patient learn to control their brain activity, which might reduce pain. The patient trained with the BCI to increase a specific brain activity pattern related to movement intention. This training involved visual feedback based on their brain activity. After the training, the patient reported less pain, suggesting that this type of brain training could be a helpful tool for managing chronic nerve pain after spinal cord injury.

• 1
  BCI training increased event-related desynchronization (ERD) in the patient's brain activity, indicating enhanced motor cortex excitability.
• 2
  The patient's self-reported pain levels, measured by a visual analog scale (VAS), decreased after the BCI training.
• 3
  Although the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) did not show significant changes, there was a downward trend in the score after BCI training.