Published September 20, 2026, this double-blind controlled case series enrolled seven people with chronic stroke. Participants practiced motor imagery with real-time EEG-based BCI neurofeedback or sham feedback while everyone completed the same four-week physiotherapy program.
What the researchers found Participants receiving real feedback exceeded a minimal clinically important difference on at least one functional outcome, most notably grip strength. Their EEG activity was more symmetrical, and task-related fMRI showed more consistent sensorimotor and cerebellar activation. Sham-group responses were more variable and influenced by one high responder.
How to read the result Seven participants are far too few to establish efficacy. The abstract does not report arm sizes, complete allocation details, adverse events or durability. Physiotherapy in both groups also prevents attributing all change to neurofeedback.
Why it matters The study links functional measures with EEG and fMRI observations in a carefully controlled early test of motor-imagery feedback after stroke. It supports a larger trial, not a treatment conclusion.
Source and disclosure Peer-reviewed controlled case series; authoritative abstract checked. The authors declared no commercial or financial conflicts. Funding details were unavailable in the checked record. Prepared with AI assistance and source-checked September 21, 2026.