Functional electrical stimulation therapy controlled by a P300-based brain–computer interface, as a therapeutic alternative for upper limb motor function recovery in chronic post-stroke patients. A non-randomized pilot study

Introduction Up to 80% of post-stroke patients present upper-limb motor impairment (ULMI), causing functional limitations in daily activities and loss independence. UMLI is seldom fully recovered after stroke when using conventional therapeutic approaches. Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy (FEST) controlled by Brain–Computer Interface (BCI) an alternative that may induce neuroplastic changes, even chronic patients. The purpose this work was evaluate the effects a P300-based BCI-controlled FEST intervention, for ULMI recovery Methods A non-randomized pilot study conducted, including 14 divided into 2 groups: BCI-FEST, Conventional Therapy. Assessments Upper limb functionality with Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), performance Fugl–Meyer assessment (FMA), Independence Measure (FIM) spasticity through Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) were performed at baseline carrying out 20 therapy sessions, obtained scores compared Chi square Mann–Whitney U statistical tests (