Effect of neurofeedback training on event-related desynchronization strength by motor imagery

We investigated the transition of event-related desynchronization (ERD) intensity through 6 days of brain-machine interface (BMI) training using Digital Mirror Box (DMB), which is a potential rehabilitation system for stroke patients with hand paralysis. Eleven healthy participants performed motor-imagery of grasping their dominant hand under the observation of hand movement video. The overall ERD strength of all participants showed a significant increase from day 1 to day 6. When the participants were divided into high and low ERD groups by their initial ERD strength of higher or lower than 0% at the initial measurement before BMI training, respectively, participants in low ERD group showed larger training effect. These results suggest that BMI training is particularly useful for increasing the ERD strength of stroke patients who have lower ERD strength.