Adaptive neurofeedback on parieto-occipital cortex for motor learning performance

Numerous electroencephalogram (EEG) based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) systems are being used as alternative means of communication for locked-in patients. Beyond these, BCIs are also considered in the context of post-stroke motor rehabilitation. Such research usually focuses on exploiting information decoded from sensorimotor activity of the brain. Here, we propose to extend this current focus beyond sensorimotor to also include associative brain areas. In this pilot study, we present an adaptive neurofeedback training paradigm to up-regulate particular EEG activity that is likely to enhance post-stroke motor rehabilitation. Our experimental results support the interpretation that the neurofeedback paradigm enables subjects to up-regulate intended activity and sustain that modulation in inter-trial resting periods in a state that we believe can support motor learning performance. These results serve as a beginning on viability of our claim on integrating a neurofeedback approach to BCI-based motor rehabilitation protocols.