Learning Motor Imagery under EEG-Directed Neuromuscular Stimulation Inducing Congruent and Incongruent Wrist Movements

Abstract

The effectiveness of the feedback in the form of the functional electrical stimulation (FES) that induces flexion and extension of the fingers for the acquisition of the skill of imagining the corresponding movements in the brain–computer interface (BCI) depending on the degree of similarity between the imaginary and real movements has been investigated. The study involved 36 healthy volunteers. It has been found that the two types of feedback in the form of congruent and non-congruent motions induced by FES contributed to the development of the movement representation skill, with the non-congruent reinforcement having a more significant effect. In addition, the possibility of creating effective training complexes for the recovery of motor function after stroke or neurotrauma based on BCI–FES hybrid complexes has been discussed.