Editorial: Neuroplasticity in Rehabilitation

Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 2022 · DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.916174 · Published: May 25, 2022

Neurology Neuroplasticity Neurorehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This editorial discusses the evolving field of neurorehabilitation and how interventions can modulate the nervous system to induce functional reorganization after neurological injury. The authors highlight the range of modalities used in rehabilitation, from classical therapies to newer techniques like robotic-assisted therapies and exoskeleton-based walking. The editorial emphasizes that despite technological advancements, a complete understanding of the human central nervous system (CNS) organization, regeneration, and plasticity remains a challenge.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Neuroplasticity is a key driver of recovery from neurological injury, and understanding how interventions modulate the nervous system can lead to complete neurological healing.
2
Various modalities are used to measure neuroplasticity, including functional outcome measures and imaging-based surrogates of brain activation and connectivity.
3
Incremental progress and discoveries are having tangible impacts, leading to unprecedented recovery from spinal cord injury and novel therapeutic options for stroke.

Research Summary

This editorial introduces a Research Topic exploring how the nervous system changes in response to rehabilitative interventions, with the ultimate goal of complete neurological healing. The editorial highlights the wide range of rehabilitation modalities and techniques used to measure neuroplasticity, emphasizing the importance of multimodal sensory feedback in neurorehabilitation strategies. The authors call for cross-collaboration between academia, industry, researchers, and clinicians to continue advancing the field of neurorehabilitation and benefit patients.

Practical Implications

Clinical Translation

The path to clinical translation and widespread implementation of novel neurorehabilitation techniques remains long and arduous.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Cross-collaboration across niche and siloed expertise, as well as between academia, industry, researchers, and clinicians, will be critical to advancing the field.

Technological Advancement

Continued incremental advances in neurorehabilitation can be meaningful, and more impactful innovations come when many disciplines work together.

Study Limitations

1
Incomplete understanding of human CNS organization, regeneration, and plasticity.
2
Complexity of the CNS functioning on multiple physical scales and timescales.
3
Technical limitations are no longer the major hurdle.

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