Bridging Brain and Body for Motor Restoration
Modern rehabilitation protocols combine various techniques aimed at promoting neuroplasticity across multiple levels of the central nervous system. However, these approaches are rarely mechanistically integrated, limiting their impact.
To address this gap, we propose a novel, low-cost, non-invasive neurorehabilitation system that integrates BCI technology, virtual reality (VR)-guided training, and non-invasive spinal cord stimulation. This system enables simultaneous engagement and modulation of neural circuits at cortical, subcortical, and spinal levels, promoting widespread and durable neuroplasticity.
Ongoing study: Brain-Controlled Spinal Cord Stimulation and Robotic Rehabilitation
Current stage: 1. Human feasibility study completed; 2. Non-invasive prototype validated in healthy volunteers; 3. Pilot work in SCI patients initiated and underway
Future Steps: Integrated BCI-Controlled SCS & Rehabilitation
Our results demonstrate that cortically driven SCS can improve sensorimotor function in patients with stroke and in individuals with motor paralysis due to SCI.
These improvements often continue even after the completion of therapy, underscoring the critical role of brain-controlled stimulation in long-term recovery.
By integrating multimodal stimulation with life-like, task-specific training in immersive VR environments, our approach delivers repetitive and goal-directed activation of the nervous system, facilitating neuroplasticity and enhancing patient motivation.
Looking forward, we aim to further enhance our system by integrating robotic-assisted rehabilitation for upper and lower limbs, closed-loop and feed-forward control mechanisms, and a tele-health platform for remote evaluation.
Together, these components offer a powerful and scalable strategy to restore neurologic function following stroke, SCI, and other neurological conditions leading to paralysis.
Future Integration with Tele-health Platform & Machine Learning
Interested in collaborating or sharing insights?
This project builds a clinically grounded framework for non-invasive brain-controlled spinal stimulation. We’d welcome conversations with like-minded teams (e.g., BCI, neurostimulation, translational neuroengineering).
