Brain-Computer Interfaces in Robotic Arm for Motor Rehabilitation after Stroke

Abstract

Stroke is a common disease that can cause injury to humankind’s neuron systems all over the world. To help these patients with their motor rehabilitation, applying Brain-Computer interface (BCI) technology has recently become a popular approach. One innovative method of using BCI technology to help patients regain motor ability is to develop a BCIs-controlled external robotic arm system. This paper aims to summarize some of the research focusing on this field, analyze their outstanding points and drawbacks, and provide several ways to improve this system. First, the author gives a brief introduction of BCIs controlled external robotic arm. After that, the author analyzes several advantages and disadvantages of this system and then gives some potential solutions, the fNIRS-EEG BCI and three implanting methods. Finally, the author discusses these previous studies and provides some potential future directions in advancing the BCIs-controlled external robotic arm system. In this review, the author mainly focuses on some previous approaches based on research and studies. By stressing the drawbacks and difficulties of each technique, the author comes up with other methods related to these latest studies. After that, the author combines these points together and reaches some new potential directions. The research contained in this review covers the past five years, from 2018 to 2023.