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Brain Sciences
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Recent Advances in Neurorehabilitation: Emerging Techniques and Technologies
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Recent Advances in Neurorehabilitation: Emerging Techniques and Technologies

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurorehabilitation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 3294

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Serena Dattola

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Guest Editor
IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, Italy
Interests: neuroimaging; neurophysiology; neurorehabilitation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Lilla Bonanno

E-Mail
Guest Editor
IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, Italy
Interests: neurodegenerative diseases; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; multiple sclerosis; Parkinson's disease; Alzheimer's disease; Huntington's disease; multiple system atrophy; prion diseases; stroke
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurorehabilitation has evolved significantly from its early foundations, incorporating compensatory strategies for lost functions, to incorporate a wide-range of emerging technologies aimed at functional recovery. This Special Issue is centered around the most recent advances in this dynamic field, aiming to highlight innovative research that extends the frontiers of neurorehabilitation through new techniques and technologies. We are particularly interested in contributions that explore cutting-edge developments such as neuroimaging analysis methods, cognitive rehabilitation, robotic aids, virtual reality, advanced neuroprosthetics, and novel pharmacological approaches. The scope of this Special Issue extends to experimental studies, comprehensive reviews, and case studies that provide not only state-of-the-art interventions but also insight into their practical applications and effectiveness. We invite submissions from researchers whose work promises to shape the future of neurorehabilitation, offering new hope and improved outcomes for patients worldwide.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Journal of Clinical Medicine.

Dr. Serena Dattola
Dr. Lilla Bonanno
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neurorehabilitation
  • neuroimaging
  • robotic rehabilitation
  • virtual reality therapy
  • neuroprosthetics
  • brain–computer interfaces
  • pharmacological interventions
  • functional recovery
  • neuroplasticity
  • cognitive rehabilitation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 506 KiB  
Article
Multidomain Cognitive Tele-Neurorehabilitation Training in Long-Term Post-Stroke Patients: An RCT Study
by Marianna Contrada, Gennarina Arabia, Martina Vatrano, Caterina Pucci, Isabel Mantia, Federica Scarfone, Giusi Torchia, Maria Quintieri, Antonio Cerasa and Loris Pignolo
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(2), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15020145 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 357
Abstract
Purpose: Over the past decade, tele-neurorehabilitation (TNR) has emerged as a vital and effective tool for delivering continuous care to stroke patients, playing a key role in enhancing functional recovery and ensuring consistent access to rehabilitation services. In the field of TNR, various [...] Read more.
Purpose: Over the past decade, tele-neurorehabilitation (TNR) has emerged as a vital and effective tool for delivering continuous care to stroke patients, playing a key role in enhancing functional recovery and ensuring consistent access to rehabilitation services. In the field of TNR, various protocols are utilized to ensure effective cognitive stimulation at home. Recent preliminary studies highlight the employment of multidomain cognitive interventions, which would seem to induce more stable and relevant cognitive recovery in stroke patients. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of a TNR multidomain cognitive approach to conventional face-to-face cognitive treatment. Methods: A total of 30 patients with stroke were equally enrolled and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, patients received sessions of home-based cognitive virtual reality rehabilitation system (VRRS) training. The control group underwent traditional face-to-face cognitive multidomain treatment at the hospital. The therapy was given for one hour every day for four weeks in both groups. Specific cognitive domains, including memory, praxis skills, executive functions, and speech therapy, were stimulated in the procedure. Neuropsychological evaluations were performed at three timepoints: at baseline (T0), at the end of TNR (T1), and six months later (T2). Results: The TNR group demonstrated significant improvements in working memory and language abilities, as well as in depressive symptoms and caregiver burden, with an average decrease of 2.07. Most of this improvement persisted 6 months after treatment. The group that received face-to-face cognitive treatment showed improvements (not persisting at T2) after treatment in a task measuring constructive apraxia and alternating attention with the cognitive skill of set-shifting. Conclusions: According to our findings, multidomain cognitive TNR may be useful in enhancing cognitive outcomes in stroke populations (even six months after treatment concludes). TNR may also be a viable way to deliver these interventions since it boosts people’s motivation to train and, consequently, their adherence to treatment while also having a positive effect on caregivers’ distress management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Neurorehabilitation: Emerging Techniques and Technologies)
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13 pages, 1083 KiB  
Article
Application of Multidomain Cognitive Training in a Tele-Neurorehabilitation Setting for Treatment of Post-Stroke Cognitive Disorders
by Marianna Contrada, Loris Pignolo, Martina Vatrano, Caterina Pucci, Isabel Mantia, Federica Scarfone, Maria Quintieri, Antonio Cerasa and Gennarina Arabia
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15010011 - 26 Dec 2024
Viewed by 642
Abstract
Purpose: Cognitive dysfunctions are still very common in the chronic phase of stroke when patients are discharged from neurorehabilitation centers. Even individuals who appear to have made a full clinical recovery may exhibit new deficiencies at home. Here, we present evidence of a [...] Read more.
Purpose: Cognitive dysfunctions are still very common in the chronic phase of stroke when patients are discharged from neurorehabilitation centers. Even individuals who appear to have made a full clinical recovery may exhibit new deficiencies at home. Here, we present evidence of a novel kind of therapy at home aimed at contrasting the heterogenic evolution of stroke patients using a multidomain cognitive approach. Methods: Eighteen ischemic stroke patients were assessed in a within-subject longitudinal design (age 62.33 ± 11.1 years; eight men). Patients underwent the Tele-NeuroRehabilitation (TNR) multidomain cognitive training treatment using the Virtual Reality Rehabilitation System (VRRS) five times a week for 1 h sessions for four consecutive weeks. The protocol included the stimulation of specific cognitive functions, such as logical skills, praxis skills, attention, executive functions, memory, space time orientation and perception, and speech therapy. To determine neuropsychological changes, patients were evaluated before the sessions (T0), at the end of the sessions (T1), and after six months (T2). Results: The multidomain cognitive training induced a significant improvement in the working memory and language abilities as well as depression symptoms and alleviated caregiver burden. Most of this cognitive enhancement persisted after six months (T2), with the exception of depression symptoms. Otherwise, a significant decline in attention abilities was reported, thus demonstrating a lack of effect in this function. Conclusions: Our results suggest that multidomain cognitive TNR is a suitable protocol for reducing some cognitive and behavioral alterations in patients with strokes, with a beneficial impact also on the caregivers’ burden distress management. Further RCTs are warranted to validate this new kind of approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Neurorehabilitation: Emerging Techniques and Technologies)
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Review

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13 pages, 656 KiB  
Review
Focal Vibration Therapy for Motor Deficits and Spasticity Management in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation
by Federica Giorgi, Danilo Donati, Daniela Platano and Roberto Tedeschi
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1060; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14111060 - 25 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1807
Abstract
Background: Focal mechanical vibration therapy has gained attention as a potential intervention to improve motor function while decreasing spasticity and pain in post-stroke patients. Despite promising results, there remains variability in study designs and outcomes, warranting a review of its clinical efficacy. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: Focal mechanical vibration therapy has gained attention as a potential intervention to improve motor function while decreasing spasticity and pain in post-stroke patients. Despite promising results, there remains variability in study designs and outcomes, warranting a review of its clinical efficacy. Methods: A review was conducted to evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of focal mechanical vibration therapy on post-stroke rehabilitation. Six studies were included, assessing outcomes such as spasticity reduction (using the Modified Ashworth Scale), motor function recovery (Wolf Motor Function Test, Fugl-Meyer Assessment), and pain management (Visual Analog Scale, Numerical Rating Scale). The quality of studies was evaluated using the PEDro scale and RoB-2 tool. An overview review was conducted to provide a comprehensive analysis of the topic. Results: The included studies demonstrated significant reductions in spasticity and improvements in motor function in most patients receiving focal vibration therapy. Notable improvements were observed when focal vibration was combined with other rehabilitation techniques, such as progressive modular rebalancing or robotic rehabilitation. Pain levels were also reduced in several studies. However, differences in vibration parameters (frequency, amplitude), small sample sizes, and short follow-up periods limit the generalizability of the findings. Conclusions: Focal mechanical vibration therapy appears to be an effective adjunct in post-stroke rehabilitation, particularly for reducing spasticity and improving motor function. Although short-term benefits are promising, further research is required to determine long-term efficacy and optimal treatment parameters. This review evaluates the effectiveness of focal vibration therapy in treating motor deficits and spasticity in post-stroke patients. The results suggest its potential to improve these conditions, though further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm its long-term efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Neurorehabilitation: Emerging Techniques and Technologies)
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