Virtual reality mediated brain-computer interface training improves sensorimotor neuromodulation in unimpaired and post spinal cord injury individuals

Comprehensive Summary

Brain-computer interfaces can be beneficial for improving sensorimotor rehabilitation after spinal cord injury or stroke by converting neural signals into commands that interact with cerebral information. The authors proposed that using virtual reality (VR) along with a brain-computer interface would allow for stronger sensorimotor signals to reach the spinal cord and lower limbs, which would help with rehabilitation. In this study, there were seven unimpaired participants and four individuals with spinal cord injuries. Participants were connected to functional electrical stimulation (FES) electrodes on their lower limbs, as well as to an electroencephalogram (EEG) and an Oculus VR headset. The VR avatar would move only if the patient underwent FES-induced muscle activation and cycling movement feedback, which was recorded across multiple sessions; 20 sessions were recorded in the study. Although the results showed that self-assessment metrics were not statistically significant in predicting participants' brain-computer interface classification accuracy, each participant had specific predictors. The participants showed more distinct EEG patterns following training, and participants with spinal cord injuries improved their ability to control the brain-computer interface. The researchers were able to conclude that their hypothesis was correct, where EEG signals were stronger after VR sessions; however, improvements in the brain-computer interface classification accuracy were not the only predictor of brain signal modulation. There are challenges with studying brain-computer interface control, and the small study sample could prevent the findings from being generalized to a larger population.

Outcomes and Implications

This research is important as spinal cord injuries can prevent motor movements within an individual, which can significantly affect their quality of life. Through training the motor areas within the brain, spinal cord injury patients could exhibit neuroplasticity, and rehabilitation could help them regain mobility. This research is important as spinal cord injuries are debilitating and show that there are future therapies that can reconnect the brain and the body.