Brain–Computer Interfaces in Spinal Cord Injury: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy

Abstract

The current treatment regimen for spinal cord injury (SCI), a neurological disorder with a high incidence of disability, is based on early surgical decompression and administration of pharmacological agents. However, the efficacy of such an approach remains limited, and most patients have sensory and functional deficits below the level of injury, which seriously affects their quality of life. This necessitates further exploration into effective treatment modalities. In recent years, considerable advancements have been made in developing and utilizing brain–computer interfaces (BCI), which facilitate neurorehabilitation and enhance motor function by transforming brain signals into diverse forms of output commands. BCI-assisted systems provide alternative means of rehabilitative exercise or limb movement in patients with SCI, including electrical stimulation and exoskeleton robots. BCI shows great potential in the rehabilitation of patients with SCI. This review summarizes the current research status and limitations of BCI for SCI to provide novel insights into the concept of multimodal rehabilitation and treatment of SCI and facilitate BCI's future development.