Effect of brain computer interface combined with acupuncture therapy on motor and cognitive function in stroke patients

Objective To investigate the effect of a brain computer interface combined with acupuncture therapy on the recovery of motor function, cognitive function and daily living ability in stroke patients. Methods A prospective study was conducted, enrolling 40 stroke patients diagnosed and treated at the Rehabilitation Department of Xuzhou Rehabilitation Hospital from March to October 2023. According to the treatment intervention method, patients were divided into a control group (19 cases, routine treatment plus acupuncture therapy) and an observation group (21 cases, routine treatment plus brain computer machine interface combined with acupuncture therapy) . Before and after 8 weeks of intervention, cognitive function, motor function, and activities of daily living were evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) , the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) , and the Barthel Index, respectively.Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) , homocysteine (Hcy) , and S-100β levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used to assess the blood flow velocity in the anterior cerebral artery, basilar artery, and middle cerebral artery, as well as clinical efficacy. Results After intervention, the scores of FMA, MoCA, and Barthel Index in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05) . After intervention, the blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery of the observation group was higher than that of the control group［ (59.79±9.37) cm/s vs 52.69±8.96) cm/s, t=2.443,P=0.019］, and the serum levels of Hcy, NSE, and S-100β were lower in the observation group compared to the control group (P＜0.05) . The effective treatment rate in the observation group was 95.24%, slightly higher than the 73.68% in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (χ 2=2.140,P=0.143). Conclusion The brain computer interface combined with acupuncture therapy can significantly reduce neurological damage, restore hemodynamics, and improve motor and cognitive function in stroke patients.