Design and Demonstration of a Hybrid FES-BCI-Based Robotic Neurorehabilitation System for Lower Limbs

Background: There are only a few available options for early rehabilitation of severely impaired individuals who must remain bedbound, as most exercise paradigms focus on out-of-bed exercises. To enable these individuals to exercise, we developed a novel hybrid rehabilitation system combining a brai...

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Main Authors: Kasper S. Leerskov, Erika G. Spaich, Mads R. Jochumsen, Lotte N. S. Andreasen Struijk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/15/4571
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author Kasper S. Leerskov
Erika G. Spaich
Mads R. Jochumsen
Lotte N. S. Andreasen Struijk
author_facet Kasper S. Leerskov
Erika G. Spaich
Mads R. Jochumsen
Lotte N. S. Andreasen Struijk
author_sort Kasper S. Leerskov
collection DOAJ
description Background: There are only a few available options for early rehabilitation of severely impaired individuals who must remain bedbound, as most exercise paradigms focus on out-of-bed exercises. To enable these individuals to exercise, we developed a novel hybrid rehabilitation system combining a brain–computer interface (BCI), functional electrical stimulation (FES), and a robotic device. Methods: The BCI assessed the presence of a movement-related cortical potential (MRCP) and triggered the administration of FES to produce movement of the lower limb. The exercise trajectory was supported by the robotic device. To demonstrate the system, an experiment was conducted in an out-of-lab setting by ten able-bodied participants. During exercise, the performance of the BCI was assessed, and the participants evaluated the system using the NASA Task Load Index, Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, and by answering a few subjective questions. Results: The BCI reached a true positive rate of 62.6 ± 9.2% and, on average, predicted the movement initiation 595 ± 129 ms prior to the MRCP peak negativity. All questionnaires showed favorable outcomes for the use of the system. Conclusions: The developed system was usable by all participants, but its clinical feasibility is uncertain due to the total time required for setting up the system.
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spelling doaj-art-c362dfd2c9f140f2aa12c7aa8bdd6f362025-08-20T03:36:33ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-07-012515457110.3390/s25154571Design and Demonstration of a Hybrid FES-BCI-Based Robotic Neurorehabilitation System for Lower LimbsKasper S. Leerskov0Erika G. Spaich1Mads R. Jochumsen2Lotte N. S. Andreasen Struijk3The Neurorehabilitation Robotics and Engineering Group, 9260 Gistrup, DenmarkDepartment of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, DenmarkThe Center for Rehabilitation Robotics, 9260 Gistrup, DenmarkThe Neurorehabilitation Robotics and Engineering Group, 9260 Gistrup, DenmarkBackground: There are only a few available options for early rehabilitation of severely impaired individuals who must remain bedbound, as most exercise paradigms focus on out-of-bed exercises. To enable these individuals to exercise, we developed a novel hybrid rehabilitation system combining a brain–computer interface (BCI), functional electrical stimulation (FES), and a robotic device. Methods: The BCI assessed the presence of a movement-related cortical potential (MRCP) and triggered the administration of FES to produce movement of the lower limb. The exercise trajectory was supported by the robotic device. To demonstrate the system, an experiment was conducted in an out-of-lab setting by ten able-bodied participants. During exercise, the performance of the BCI was assessed, and the participants evaluated the system using the NASA Task Load Index, Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, and by answering a few subjective questions. Results: The BCI reached a true positive rate of 62.6 ± 9.2% and, on average, predicted the movement initiation 595 ± 129 ms prior to the MRCP peak negativity. All questionnaires showed favorable outcomes for the use of the system. Conclusions: The developed system was usable by all participants, but its clinical feasibility is uncertain due to the total time required for setting up the system.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/15/4571brain–computer interfacestrokefunctional electrical stimulationroboticsneurorehabilitationmovement-related cortical potential
spellingShingle Kasper S. Leerskov
Erika G. Spaich
Mads R. Jochumsen
Lotte N. S. Andreasen Struijk
Design and Demonstration of a Hybrid FES-BCI-Based Robotic Neurorehabilitation System for Lower Limbs
Sensors
brain–computer interface
stroke
functional electrical stimulation
robotics
neurorehabilitation
movement-related cortical potential
title Design and Demonstration of a Hybrid FES-BCI-Based Robotic Neurorehabilitation System for Lower Limbs
title_full Design and Demonstration of a Hybrid FES-BCI-Based Robotic Neurorehabilitation System for Lower Limbs
title_fullStr Design and Demonstration of a Hybrid FES-BCI-Based Robotic Neurorehabilitation System for Lower Limbs
title_full_unstemmed Design and Demonstration of a Hybrid FES-BCI-Based Robotic Neurorehabilitation System for Lower Limbs
title_short Design and Demonstration of a Hybrid FES-BCI-Based Robotic Neurorehabilitation System for Lower Limbs
title_sort design and demonstration of a hybrid fes bci based robotic neurorehabilitation system for lower limbs
topic brain–computer interface
stroke
functional electrical stimulation
robotics
neurorehabilitation
movement-related cortical potential
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/15/4571
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