Guest editors
Dr. Xin Gao
Independent Researcher, Hangzhou - China
delusionsx1@gmail.com
Prof. Ningbo Yu
Nankai University, China
nyu@nankai.edu.cn
Introduction
The integration of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) into neurorehabilitation represents one of the most active translational frontiers in rehabilitation science today. Over the past decade, BCI decoding algorithms — increasingly powered by AI and machine learning — have matured alongside shared-autonomy control frameworks, closed-loop non-invasive neuromodulation, and clearer regulatory pathways for BCI-based medical devices. Early multicentre clinical trials are beginning to report promising motor recovery outcomes from BCI-assisted therapy, and 2025–2026 has seen a marked increase in clinical trial registrations, first-in-human implant and endovascular BCI programmes, and emerging technical guidance from regulatory bodies including the FDA, NMPA and EU.
Despite this progress, the literature remains fragmented: engineering-focused decoding and control research is rarely brought into direct conversation with clinical, translational, regulatory and implementation-oriented work. This special issue seeks to close that gap by inviting contributions across the full BCI-rehabilitation pipeline, with a deliberate emphasis on rehabilitation outcomes, clinical relevance and patient/therapist-facing impact rather than technical performance in isolation.
We welcome original research, technical and review articles, proof-of-concept studies, healthy-participant validations, single-case reports and early translational work, provided the relevance to rehabilitation methods and technologies is clearly articulated. Contributions are equally welcome from BCI signal-processing and AI/ML groups, robotics and control researchers, neuromodulation scientists, clinicians and rehabilitation therapists, and regulatory and implementation science researchers. Submissions that clearly connect a method, device or system to a plausible rehabilitation pathway — even where mature clinical outcome data is not yet available — are strongly encouraged.
List of topic areas
AI and machine learning for BCI decoding and signal processing
BCI-mediated shared autonomy and human-robot collaboration in rehabilitation (robotic arms, exoskeletons, functional electrical stimulation)
Non-invasive neuromodulation and closed-loop BCI integration (tDCS, tACS, transcranial ultrasound, transcutaneous spinal stimulation)
Clinical translation, safety, and regulatory pathways for BCI-based rehabilitation devices Rehabilitation outcomes, patient- and therapist-centred design, and real-world/home implementation
Integrated, multimodal BCI-rehabilitation systems, including proof-of-concept studies and clinical case series
Submissions information
Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jrmt
Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see: https://www.emerald.com/jrmt/ Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.
Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.
Key deadlines
Opening date for manuscripts submissions: 10/10/2026
Closing date for manuscripts submission: 31/03/2027
