Background “BCI illiteracy,” characterized by insufficient μ -rhythm Event-Related Desynchronization (ERD) in approximately 40% of stroke patients, limits the efficacy of Brain–Computer Interface (BCI) training. Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) can modulate cortical excitability. We hypothesized that sequential application of iTBS over the affected primary motor cortex (M1) before BCI training may enhance cortical activation, improve BCI decoding efficiency, and thereby promote upper