Liu XA, Liu J, Xu D, Zhao X. Application of brain-computer interfaces in the rehabilitation of post-stroke emotional and sleep disorders. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(10): 123255 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.123255]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Xia Zhao, Department Five of Brain Disease Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 33 Beiling Street, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China. zhaoxia57157@126.com
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Medical Laboratory Technology
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review-article
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Liu XA, Liu J, Xu D, Zhao X. Application of brain-computer interfaces in the rehabilitation of post-stroke emotional and sleep disorders. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(10): 123255 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.123255]
World J Psychiatry. Oct 19, 2026; 16(10): 123255 Published online Oct 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.123255
Application of brain-computer interfaces in the rehabilitation of post-stroke emotional and sleep disorders
Xing-An Liu, Jun Liu, Dan Xu, Xia Zhao
Xing-An Liu, Jun Liu, Department Three of Brain Disease Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China
Dan Xu, Department of Psychiatry, Shenyang Mental Health Center, Shenyang 110062, Liaoning Province, China
Xia Zhao, Department Five of Brain Disease Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: Liu XA and Liu J designed the research study; Liu XA, Xu D, and Zhao X performed the research; Xu D and Zhao X collected and analyzed the data; Liu XA and Liu J have been involved in drafting the manuscript; and all authors have been involved in revising it critically for important intellectual content and give final approval of the version to be published.
AI contribution statement: No any AI tool was used.
Supported by Liaoning Provincial Science and Technology Program Project, No. 2025-MS-19.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Xia Zhao, Department Five of Brain Disease Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 33 Beiling Street, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning Province, China. zhaoxia57157@126.com
Received: May 15, 2026 Revised: June 11, 2026 Accepted: June 17, 2026 Published online: October 19, 2026 Processing time: 148 Days and 1 Hours
Abstract
Post-stroke emotional and sleep disorders are non-motor sequelae that can interfere with rehabilitation, functional recovery, and quality of life. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have gained increasing attention in post-stroke rehabilitation research, especially for assessing and facilitating motor functions based on the translation and decoding of electroencephalogram signatures with closed-loop feedback. Although direct evidence supporting BCI-based interventions for post-stroke emotional and sleep disorders is limited, emerging evidence indicates that BCIs may extend beyond motor rehabilitation by improving active participation, neuroplasticity, and self-regulation. Although current evidence remains indirect, it is derived specifically from studies on motor rehabilitation, as well as from multimodal interventions and related fields such as neurofeedback and mindfulness-based rehabilitation. In particular, BCI-based strategies combined with psychological interventions, electrical stimulation, or immersive feedback approaches may open new perspectives for integrated intervention in both motor and non-motor domains, which significantly impact quality of life. Accordingly, this minireview summarizes the current evidence, theoretical rationale, and future directions for BCI applications in the rehabilitation of post-stroke emotional and sleep disorders. BCIs should be viewed as an emerging and potentially valuable platform for multidimensional post-stroke rehabilitation rather than as an established standalone treatment; thus, their clinical role warrants further investigation.
Core Tip: This minireview highlights that brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), primarily studied for post-stroke motor rehabilitation, may also address post-stroke emotional and sleep disorders. Although direct evidence is limited, indirect findings suggest that BCIs may enhance active participation, neuroplasticity, and self-regulation. Combining BCIs with psychological, electrical, or immersive feedback approaches offers new integrative perspectives. BCIs represent an emerging multidimensional rehabilitation platform, not an established standalone treatment, warranting further clinical research.
