Neural Mechanisms of Motor Planning and Human-Machine Teaming Framework of Assisted Voluntary Movement: Advances, Challenges, and Clinical Applications

There is a huge leap in our understanding of neural mechanisms underlying motor planning in the last decade due to the advent of advanced technologies for biosignal acquisition, data processing, data analyses, and interpretation. Recent studies reveal the dynamic interactions between complex neural networks distributed across multiple brain regions are the underlying mechanism of motor actions. However, there is a need for more evidence for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying motor planning and how it is altered in motor impairment disorders.

The development of a human-machine teaming framework to assist patients with motor impairment disorders has seen significant progress, showing promise in improving rehabilitation approaches that involve human-machine coordination principles for voluntary motor actions. However, there is still a need for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Developing a reliable, validated, and pragmatic tool for patient rehabilitation is the need of the hour.

This Research Topic will include articles highlighting the recent advances and future challenges in the fields of human motor neuroscience and human-machine teaming, and/or the studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the clinical application of the research outcome for the benefit of patients with motor impairment disorders such as stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or any other disorder with motor disability.

This Research Topic welcomes submissions of Original Research, Review articles, Data Reports, Hypotheses & Theories, Methods, Mini Reviews, and Study Protocols about, but not limited to the following themes:

1. Advances in understanding the neural mechanisms of motor planning;
2. Advances in developing human-machine teaming frameworks for assisted voluntary movement;
3. Challenges in designing and implementing effective human-machine teaming systems for motor rehabilitation;
4. Clinical applications of human-machine teaming frameworks for patients with motor impairment disorders;
5. Effectiveness of rehabilitation approaches involving human-machine coordination principles;
6. Limitations of current rehabilitation approaches and potential areas for improvement;
7. Applications of computational neuroscience in human-machine teaming and brain computer interfaces;
8. Ethical considerations in the use of human-machine teaming frameworks for rehabilitation;
9. Future directions in the development and application of human-machine teaming frameworks for motor rehabilitation

Keywords: motor neuroscience, motor neurophysiology, brain-computer interfaces, rehabilitation, neuroimaging, assistive robotics, machine learning

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.