The application of brain–computer interfaces in spinal cord injury rehabilitation: Progress and prospects

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological disorder that often results in long-term motor and sensory dysfunction, leaving patients highly dependent on external care, while current rehabilitation approaches remain limited in their efficacy. In recent years, brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), as a multidisciplinary frontier technology, have demonstrated unique advantages in SCI rehabilitation. By bypassing the damaged spinal pathways and establishing a direct communication channel between the brain and external devices, BCIs enable motor recovery, sensory restoration, and induction of neuroplasticity, while also showing potential in alleviating chronic neuropathic pain and improving psychological well-being. A growing body of experimental and clinical studies has confirmed that BCIs can restore partial motor control and tactile perception, thereby enhancing rehabilitation efficiency and improving patients’ quality of life. However, their clinical translation remains constrained by challenges such as signal stability, long-term electrode safety, adaptive decoding algorithms, and ethical concerns. With the continuous development of artificial intelligence, novel biomaterials, and immersive technologies such as virtual reality, BCIs are expected to evolve toward more personalized, home-based, and intelligent rehabilitation solutions, accelerating their clinical application and offering new therapeutic hope for SCI patients.