Recommendations for Combining Brain-Computer Interface, Motor Imagery, and Virtual Reality in Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation: Qualitative Participatory Design Study

Current results contribute to establishing clear guidelines on patient selection, task design, intervention structuring, motivation factors, and tailoring of sensory feedback. This framework presents a foundation for optimal implementation of VR-BCI-based interventions that associate MI and motor observation, optimizing cortical activity during the intervention, patients' engagement, and clinical outcomes. Future research should explore the application of these guidelines for validation and investigate BCIs' efficacy according to different combinations of patients' profiles, task characteristics, and technology features.