Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of brain-computer interface (BCI)-assisted
motor imagery training to support hand/arm motor rehabilitation after stroke
during hospitalization. DESIGN: Proof-of-principle study. SETTING:
Neurorehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of patients (N=8)
with new-onset arm plegia or paresis caused by unilateral stroke. INTERVENTIONS:
The BCI-based intervention was administered as an "add-on" to usual care and
lasted 4 weeks. Under the supervision of a therapist, patients were asked to
practice motor imagery of their affected hand and received as a discrete feedback
the movements of a "virtual" hand superimposed on their own. Such a BCI-based
device was installed in a rehabilitation hospital ward.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Following a user-centered design, we assessed system usability in terms of
motivation, satisfaction (by means of visual analog scales), and workload
(National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index). The usability of
the BCI-based system was also evaluated by 15 therapists who participated in a
focus group. RESULTS: All patients successfully accomplished the BCI training.
Significant positive correlations were found between satisfaction and motivation
(P=.001, r=.393). BCI performance correlated with interest (P=.027, r=.257) and
motivation (P=.012, r=.289). During the focus group, professionals positively
acknowledged the opportunity offered by BCI-assisted training to measure
patients' adherence to rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: An ecological BCI-based
device to assist motor imagery practice was found to be feasible as an add-on
intervention and tolerable by patients who were exposed to the system in the
rehabilitation environment.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS