## 1 Introduction
Technologies employing virtual realities may be especially helpful for older adults suffering from cognitive decline and social isolation, as well as for assisting in the neurorehabilitation of patients with stroke or traumatic brain injury. Additionally, virtual reality may be an essential ingredient for the replacement of lost functions through an appropriate brain-computer interface that controls robotic devices. The novelty and contribution of the article lie in highlighting that VR-based BCIs expand the possibilities for applications in rehabilitation, gaming, and education by offering more interactive and personalized experiences. This integration provides a more effective and engaging platform for non-invasive neurofeedback and cognitive control training. Comparison with previous studies in the discussion extends the current state of knowledge. A key mechanism by which virtual reality may enhance brain-computer interface performance is through the induction of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize neural pathways and synaptic connections in response to changes in behavior, environment, neural processes, thinking, and emotions. Virtual reality can activate neuroplasticity through its provision of multisensory stimulation, increased user engagement and motivation, and ability to adapt task difficulty to the user's capabilities [2]. The immersive and interactive nature of virtual reality has been shown to stimulate neural activity across multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, and somatosensory. This multimodal sensory stimulation can drive neuroplastic changes that ultimately enhance the brain's ability to process and encode information. Additionally, the game-like and engaging nature of virtual reality can increase a user's motivation and sustained attention--factors that are crucial for effective motor learning and skill acquisition. Furthermore, virtual reality environments can be dynamically adjusted to match the user's abilities and provide the right level of challenge, a key factor in promoting neuroplasticity. As the user progresses, the virtual environment can become more complex, requiring greater cognitive and motor skills. This gradual increase in task difficulty is an effective strategy for driving neural reorganization and performance improvements [2]. The use of virtual reality for cognitive rehabilitation is underpinned by several theoretical frameworks, including the concepts of embodied cognition, neural network theory, and social cognition. Embodied cognition posits that cognitive processes are grounded in the body's interactions with the environment, suggesting that the immersive and interactive nature of virtual reality can engage sensorimotor systems to facilitate cognitive rehabilitation. Neural network theory emphasizes the brain's ability to dynamically reconfigure its connections in response to experience, which aligns with the neuroplastic changes induced by virtual reality. Social cognition theory highlights the importance of social interactions and cues in shaping cognitive abilities, a factor that can be incorporated into virtual reality-based rehabilitation through collaborative or multiplayer scenarios. While the integration of virtual reality with brain-computer interfaces remains a relatively new and underexplored field, the potential benefits of this combination may not be as clear-cut as suggested by preliminary evidence. Although a study [4] indicates that VR can enhance task performance and user focus during BCI interaction, it does not necessarily translate to improved overall BCI performance or training efficiency. In fact, the immersive and distracting nature of virtual environments may introduce additional cognitive load and distract users from the core BCI tasks, potentially hindering their ability to effectively modulate the neural activity patterns required for optimal BCI control.