Brain-computer interface helps paralyzed hand play a tune

A 39-year-old woman with paralysis on the right side of her body has played the piano again with the help of a brain-computer interface (BCI) rehabilitation system developed by researchers at Union Hospital in Wuhan, Hubei province.

The woman, identified by the pseudonym Chu, lost most of the function in her right hand following treatment for a brain tumor. Despite conventional rehabilitation, she struggled to regain movement, according to the hospital.

Chu began BCI-assisted rehabilitation in May and joined a clinical study focusing on fine finger movements in August. After nearly two months of training, she was able to play simple tunes, including Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, with assistance from the system.

The hospital, officially known as Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, announced on Oct 12 that its research team, led by neurosurgeon Jiang Xiaobing, had developed a system combining non-invasive BCI technology with high-channel matrix-based functional electrical stimulation. The technology detects the patient's intentions to move and delivers targeted electrical stimulation to activate their muscles, helping them perform individual finger movements, according to the hospital.

While existing BCI rehabilitation approaches have largely focused on basic movements, such as grasping, the new system explores more precise finger control and coordination.

Researchers said the approach could open new possibilities for restoring fine motor skills in patients with neurological impairments.