Use of a BCI-Exoskeleton Simulator with Multichannel Biofeedback in a Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Program in Poststroke Patients

Abstract

The sequelae of cerebrovascular accidents significantly decrease the quality of life in patients. One of the tasks in restoring everyday and social activity in patients consists of restoring upper limb motor function, the main motor skills such as reaching for an object, carrying out the necessary manipulations with the object, and coordinated movements of both hands. The use of neurocomputer technology in restorative treatment takes neurorehabilitation to a new and highly technical level and provides for effective influences on the extent of poststroke impairments. We report here our studies of the effectiveness of using a BCI-hand exoskeleton simulator with kinesthetic feedback in the complex rehabilitation of poststroke patients; we also studied the possible causes of nonutilization of the upper limb and its preserved motor characteristics. Use of the BCI-hand exoskeleton simulator with kinesthetic feedback in the complex rehabilitation of poststroke patients led to improvements in the recovery of the motor functions of the arms, with increases in patients’ everyday activity. Further studies of the effects of the noninvasive neurocomputer interface on recovery of patients’ cognitive functions are planned, as is more detailed analysis of neuropsychological status with the aim of identifying the leading component in the recovery of upper limb motor function during rehabilitation using this technology.