An application of Brain Computer Interface in chronic stroke to improve arm reaching function exploiting operant learning strategy and brain plasticity

The paper deals with a specific kind of BCI application implemented with the aim of recovering the reaching ability of mild impaired stroke survivors. The overall idea is to take advantage of the plasticity of the brain to make the subject artificially learn alternative neural paths to control the arm movement again, by-passing the injured area thanks to a BCI system with an EEG-related force provided as a real-time feedback during the training period. Preliminary results have shown improvements in the kinematics of the upper limb motion of a first patient that performed this experimental rehabilitative program. Then, this BCI application is expected to enter soon the daily clinical practise as a useful tool besides the standard rehabilitation therapy.