Luo FG, Wang JJ, Xing HY, Wu WY, Fang KJ, Yan J. Integrating electromyographic biofeedback in stroke rehabilitation: A paradigm shift in motor and psychological recovery. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(2): 115160 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i2.115160]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Juan Yan, MD, Professor, Quality Control Office, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, No. 305 Tianmushan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China. 294162939@qq.com
Research Domain of This Article
Psychiatry
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Feb 19, 2026 (publication date) through Feb 2, 2026
Times Cited of This Article
Times Cited (0)
Journal Information of This Article
Publication Name
World Journal of Psychiatry
ISSN
2220-3206
Publisher of This Article
Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
Share the Article
Luo FG, Wang JJ, Xing HY, Wu WY, Fang KJ, Yan J. Integrating electromyographic biofeedback in stroke rehabilitation: A paradigm shift in motor and psychological recovery. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(2): 115160 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i2.115160]
World J Psychiatry. Feb 19, 2026; 16(2): 115160 Published online Feb 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i2.115160
Integrating electromyographic biofeedback in stroke rehabilitation: A paradigm shift in motor and psychological recovery
Fu-Gang Luo, Jun-Jie Wang, Hao-Yu Xing, Wen-Ye Wu, Kai-Jie Fang, Juan Yan
Fu-Gang Luo, Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China
Jun-Jie Wang, Judicial Appraisal Institute, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China
Hao-Yu Xing, Department of Medical Engineering, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China
Wen-Ye Wu, Kai-Jie Fang, Juan Yan, Quality Control Office, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China
Co-first authors: Fu-Gang Luo and Jun-Jie Wang.
Co-corresponding authors: Hao-Yu Xing and Juan Yan.
Author contributions: Luo FG and Wang JJ contributed to the conceptualization, writing, and they contributed equally to this manuscript and are co-first authors; Xing HY and Yan J drafted the manuscript, and they contributed equally to this manuscript and are co-corresponding authors; Wu WY and Fang KJ contributed to the review and editing. All the authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Juan Yan, MD, Professor, Quality Control Office, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, No. 305 Tianmushan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China. 294162939@qq.com
Received: October 9, 2025 Revised: November 3, 2025 Accepted: December 8, 2025 Published online: February 19, 2026 Processing time: 113 Days and 3.1 Hours
Abstract
A retrospective study by Yu et al demonstrated the efficacy of adding electromyographic biofeedback to conventional rehabilitation in improving motor function and reducing anxiety in stroke survivors. This editorial contextualizes these findings within emerging neurorehabilitation trends, highlighting the shift toward integrated approaches that address physical and psychological sequelae. Pooled data from 15 studies (n = 1850) revealed that electromyographic biofeedback enhanced Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores for the upper (Cohen’s d = 0.82) and lower limbs (d = 0.79), while reducing anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale: d = -0.75) and depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale: d = -0.71). Proposed mechanisms include enhanced neuroplasticity, improved motor unit recruitment, and real-time, feedback-driven self-regulation. We discuss the clinical implications of standardizing biofeedback protocols and address scalability in resource-limited settings. Future research should prioritize randomized controlled trials, neuroimaging correlates, and cost-effectiveness analyses.
Core Tip: Electromyographic biofeedback demonstrates significant dual benefits in stroke rehabilitation, improving motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment: d = 0.79-0.82) and reducing anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Scale: d = -0.75) compared to conventional therapy alone. The mechanism involves Hebbian plasticity through real-time visual/auditory feedback, creating a virtuous cycle of neuroplastic change and psychological empowerment. Despite implementation challenges (5000-15000 startup costs), the 2-3 weeks faster functional recovery yields 8000-12000 per-patient savings, supporting integration into value-based care models. Optimal protocols involve 45-minute sessions targeting agonist-antagonist pairs 4 times weekly for 8-12 weeks, with future research needed for personalized application in severe stroke cases.
