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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: 26 September 2025 | Viewed by 9179

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Serena Dattola

E-Mail Website
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 Website
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 (7 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 394 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Grip Strength and Manual Dexterity in Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Trial of Mirror Visual Feedback vs. Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
by Mohamed A. Abdel Ghafar, Osama R. Abdelraouf, Nouf H. Alkhamees, Mariam E. Mohamed, Eman M. Harraz, Mohamed K. Seyam, Zizi M. Ibrahim, Amani Alnamnakani, Amal A. Elborady and Rafik E. Radwan
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(3), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15030305 - 13 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1063
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Manual dexterity and hand strength are common challenges in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP), limiting the use of their affected upper limb and impacting daily activities. The efficacy of a long-duration Mirror Visual Feedback (MVF) program compared to Modified Constraint-Induced [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Manual dexterity and hand strength are common challenges in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP), limiting the use of their affected upper limb and impacting daily activities. The efficacy of a long-duration Mirror Visual Feedback (MVF) program compared to Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) in addressing these issues remains unreported. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of mCIMT and MVF in improving manual dexterity and hand strength in children with UCP. Methods: Fifty children with UCP (aged 5–9 years) were randomly assigned to either the MVF or mCIMT group. Children in both groups received their respective interventions for 30 min, five times per week, over 12 weeks. Additionally, all participants underwent traditional physical therapy for 12 weeks, three times per week, with each session lasting 45 to 60 min. Manual dexterity was assessed using the Box and Block Test (BBT), and maximum isometric hand strength was measured with a hydraulic handheld dynamometer. Evaluations were conducted before the intervention and 12 weeks later. Results: Repeated measures of MANOVA revealed significant enhancements in manual dexterity and hand strength in both groups after the intervention. However, the mCIMT group demonstrated significantly greater gains in BBT scores (p = 0.014) and maximum isometric hand strength (p = 0.017) compared to the MVF group, with effect sizes of 0.75 and 0.79, respectively. Conclusions: Incorporating either mCIMT or MVF into rehabilitation significantly enhances manual dexterity and hand strength in children with UCP, with mCIMT yielding superior outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Neurorehabilitation: Emerging Techniques and Technologies)
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14 pages, 3920 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Therapy Enriched with the Erigo®Pro Table and Motor Imagery on the Body Balance of Patients After Stroke—A Randomized Observational Study
by Anna Olczak, Raquel Carvalho, Adam Stępień and Józef Mróz
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(3), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15030275 - 5 Mar 2025
Viewed by 862
Abstract
Purpose: Impaired balance leads to loss of function, e.g., the inability to walk safely. Therefore, restoring balance is a common goal of rehabilitation after a stroke. An innovative motor imaging and robotic device, the Erigo®Pro walking table, was used to improve [...] Read more.
Purpose: Impaired balance leads to loss of function, e.g., the inability to walk safely. Therefore, restoring balance is a common goal of rehabilitation after a stroke. An innovative motor imaging and robotic device, the Erigo®Pro walking table, was used to improve balance in patients who had suffered an acute stroke. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six stroke patients in the acute phase with an average age of 64.85 ± 18.62 years were randomly assigned to one of three groups (22 subjects each) and treated with different therapies (conventional, conventional with Erigo®Pro, and conventional with Erigo®Pro enriched with motor imaging). The duration of therapy was two weeks. Patients were assessed before and after completion of therapy. The study used the trunk stability test and the Berg Balance Scale to assess balance, and the Riablo™ device to measure static balance. In addition, an assessment of the superficial tension of the transversus abdominis and multifidus muscles was performed. The clinical trial registration URL unique identifier was NCT06276075. Results: In each of the groups studied, the therapies applied resulted in significant improvement in functional assessment of trunk stability and balance (TCT < 0.001 and BBS < 0.001). The assessment of balance in the frontal (p = 0.023) and sagittal (p = 0.074) planes with the Riablo™ device confirmed the superiority of motor imaging-enhanced therapy at the level of a statistical trend. The tension of the transversus abdominis was higher at the second measurement (M = 14.41; SE = 3.31). Conclusions: Motor imagery-enhanced therapy is most important, both for trunk stability and functional improvement of body balance parameters and for increasing transversus abdominis muscle tension. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Neurorehabilitation: Emerging Techniques and Technologies)
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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 1037
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
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1238
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 2730
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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Other

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12 pages, 456 KiB  
Case Report
EMG-Triggered Functional Electrical Stimulation for Central Facial Palsy Following Stroke: A Clinical Case Report
by Frauke Johannes, Anna Maria Pekacka-Egli, Simone Köhler, Andreas Disko, Jan von Meyenburg and Bartosz Bujan
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(4), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15040410 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 946
Abstract
Background: Central facial palsy (CFP) is a common condition following stroke, typically affecting the lower face and causing symptoms such as drooling, dysarthria, and facial asymmetry. Despite available rehabilitation methods, the evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. Electromyography (EMG)-triggered Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) [...] Read more.
Background: Central facial palsy (CFP) is a common condition following stroke, typically affecting the lower face and causing symptoms such as drooling, dysarthria, and facial asymmetry. Despite available rehabilitation methods, the evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. Electromyography (EMG)-triggered Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) has shown promise in neurorehabilitation for motor impairments, but its application to CFP remains unclear. Methods: This case report explores the use of EMG-triggered FES in a 77-year-old patient with CFP following a severe ischemic stroke of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Therapy, focused on stimulating the orbicularis oris muscle to address persistent drooling and improve facial symmetry, was alongside usual care. The stimulation duration was 5–15 min, frequency 35 Hz, and pulse duration 300 µs, applied 5 times a week. Stimulation duration was adjusted based on the patient’s progress. Results: The patient underwent 16 sessions of EMG-triggered FES over four weeks. Post-therapy reassessment with the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) showed an improvement in facial motor function, with the score increasing from 58/100 to 78/100. Reassessment of the Facial Disability Index (FDI) revealed significant improvement in physical function (55 to 85 points), though the social function score slightly decreased (76 to 64 points). Improvements in dysarthria and the complete resolution of drooling were reflected in the physical function domain of the FDI and the Allensbach Dysarthria Severity Scale. Conclusions: The results highlight that EMG-triggered FES was well tolerated and effectively supported therapy, contributing to the resolution of drooling, improved facial symmetry, and enhanced speech function. Future research should focus on randomized controlled trials to confirm its effectiveness and determine optimal therapy parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Neurorehabilitation: Emerging Techniques and Technologies)
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11 pages, 981 KiB  
Perspective
Advancing Rehabilitation Medicine with the Metaverse: Opportunities and Challenges
by Rocco Salvatore Calabrò and Giovanni Morone
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(3), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15030321 - 19 Mar 2025
Viewed by 378
Abstract
The metaverse, an immersive virtual environment, is emerging as a transformative tool in rehabilitation, offering innovative modalities for motor and cognitive treatments. Virtual reality and augmented reality within the metaverse facilitate interactive exercises, allowing patients to perform rehabilitative tasks in a gamified context, [...] Read more.
The metaverse, an immersive virtual environment, is emerging as a transformative tool in rehabilitation, offering innovative modalities for motor and cognitive treatments. Virtual reality and augmented reality within the metaverse facilitate interactive exercises, allowing patients to perform rehabilitative tasks in a gamified context, which can improve motivation and adherence. Furthermore, the metaverse supports treatments that are not easy to carry out during conventional therapy, such as the rehabilitation of social participation, and creates a real individuals-based platform of continuum of care thanks to its interoperability. However, challenges such as technological accessibility, user adaptability, and the need for comprehensive clinical guidelines remain. Future research should focus on long-term efficacy, integration into traditional rehabilitation frameworks, and addressing ethical considerations, ultimately positioning the metaverse as a valuable adjunct in rehabilitative practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Neurorehabilitation: Emerging Techniques and Technologies)
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