Specialty Grand Challenge for NeuroRehabilitation Research

Frontiers in Neurology, 2020 · DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00349 · Published: May 22, 2020

Neurology Neurorehabilitation Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

The world faces the challenge of an increasing number of people living with neuro-disabilities that affect their ability to participate in societal activities. These conditions, like stroke, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease, change cognitive, sensory, or motor capacities, alter emotional well-being, and lead to disability. Neurorehabilitation, as a specialized form of rehabilitation care, can effectively reduce the burden of disability by promoting functional recovery, compensation of body dysfunction, and/or adaptations, such as adaptive technology. Neurorehabilitation teams, including physicians, therapists, nurses, and social workers, are essential to treat people with neuro-disabilities. The team approach itself contributes to the overall clinical benefit.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

39,994 participants (in a meta-analysis of 21 RCTs)

Evidence Level

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Key Findings

1
Multidisciplinary stroke unit care reduces the rate of death or institutionalized care and death or dependence after stroke, without significantly increasing length of stay, and independent of age, sex, or stroke severity.
2
Adequate rehabilitation efforts effectively reduce disability; better structure and processes of care, such as multidisciplinary stroke care units, improve outcomes one year after stroke, whereas the absence of rehabilitation is associated with a higher level of disability.
3
There is a great need for knowledge management platforms that host high-quality up-to-date research and make that knowledge publicly available, especially to those with limited regional professional resources and financial access.

Research Summary

The increasing number of people living with neuro-disabilities poses a significant global health challenge. These disabilities, resulting from conditions like stroke and Parkinson's disease, impact cognitive, sensory, and motor functions, leading to reduced participation in society. Neurorehabilitation is a crucial intervention that can mitigate the burden of these disabilities by promoting functional recovery and adaptation. Multidisciplinary team approaches in stroke units have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing death or dependence. Addressing the complex landscape of neurorehabilitation requires research across various domains, from basic science to clinical trials, and the dissemination of knowledge through accessible platforms. Education and training for healthcare professionals are essential, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Practical Implications

Improve Global Health Outcomes

By focusing on neurorehabilitation, healthcare systems can reduce the disability burden associated with neurological disorders, improving the quality of life for affected individuals.

Enhance Clinical Practice

Implementing multidisciplinary team approaches and evidence-based guidelines in neurorehabilitation can lead to better patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare delivery.

Promote Knowledge Sharing

Developing and supporting knowledge management platforms can ensure that research findings and best practices in neurorehabilitation are accessible to healthcare professionals worldwide, especially in resource-limited settings.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of specific study duration reported
2
Limited information on specific neurorehabilitation techniques
3
Challenges in generalizing findings to all low- and middle-income countries due to diverse healthcare structures

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