Rehabilitation Using a Brain Computer Interface Based on Movement Related Cortical Potentials – A Review

This paper summarizes the research at Aalborg University within brain computer interfaces (BCI) used for rehabilitation done within the period 2006-2013. The work is based on movement related cortical potentials (MRCPs). MRCP’s characterization for different task types was conducted in Nascimento et al [9] and showed that they potentially can be used for classification of planning and executions of lower limb movements. This combined with the novel protocol proposed in Mrachacz-Kersting et al. [8] showing that neural plasticity can be improved using imagination and afferents established the basis. To translate this synchronous protocol into an asynchronous BCI, a pseudo online detection of the movement intention was proposed in Niazi et al. [10]. The detector was then used to trigger peripheral electrical stimulation for inducing changes in excitability of the cortical projection of the target muscle in healthy subjects [11]. Development of this paradigm is described here. Furthermore, preliminary results from a pseudo online close loop BCI system are reported, where movements are detected and different movement types are classified.