Advances in Neurorehabilitation

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurorehabilitation aims to alleviate the impact of neurological disorders, reduce limitations in daily living, and improve social participation. To advance neurorehabilitation approaches, it is essential to explore the mechanisms behind neurological disorders, consider pathological theories and current therapies, and provide novel intervention trials. For this Topic Issue, we invite you to submit research on various subjects related to neurorehabilitation, including fundamental studies that help clarify prehabilitation evidence, research on technologies for evaluating neurological disorders, and innovative intervention research utilizing physical agent modalities, neurostimulation approaches, physical therapies, and regenerative medicine with physiotherapy. Submissions may be in the form of paradigmatic cases, narrative reviews, RCTs, cohort studies, or scoping or systematic reviews.

Dr. Nicola Marotta
Prof. Dr. Antonio Ammendolia
Dr. Ennio Lopresti
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Brain Sciences brainsci	2.8	5.6	2011	17.6 Days	CHF 2200
Neurology International neurolint	3.0	4.8	2009	21.5 Days	CHF 1800
NeuroSci neurosci	2.0	-	2020	23.3 Days	CHF 1200

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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11 pages, 1998 KB  

Open AccessCase Report

Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Improves Upper and Lower Limbs’ Motor and Sensory Function in a Subject with Central Cord Syndrome: A Case Report

by Fernando Reyes, Camila Parker, Tania Turquie, Aldo Chimal, Lorermy Villalobos, Frida Bailey, Antonio Ibarra, Igor Lavrov and Carlos A. Cuellar

Neurol. Int. 2026, 18(2), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint18020031 - 10 Feb 2026

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Abstract

Background: Central cord syndrome (CCS) is the most common incomplete spinal cord injury, producing more severe motor deficits in the upper than lower extremities and impairing sensory and autonomic function. Although transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) has shown benefits in motor and sensory [...] Read more.

Background: Central cord syndrome (CCS) is the most common incomplete spinal cord injury, producing more severe motor deficits in the upper than lower extremities and impairing sensory and autonomic function. Although transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) has shown benefits in motor and sensory recovery after spinal cord injury, studies have not explicitly documented whether CCS subjects were included. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of tSCS over 12 weeks on motor and sensory outcomes in a subject with CCS. Methods: A 20-year-old male with a C7 injury was evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks with the American Spinal Cord Injury Impairment scale, Modified Ashworth Scale, Penn and Spasm Frequency Scale, 3-Meter Walk Test and 6-Minute Walk Test, 9-Hole Peg Test, Box and Block Test, hand dynamometry, and lower-limb EMG. tSCS was applied between T9 and L1 at 30 Hz. Results: At 12 weeks, upper-limb motor and sensory scores improved, while spasm frequency and hand spasticity were reduced. Manual dexterity improved bilaterally in the 9-Hole Peg and Box and Block Tests, with a 2 kg gain in right-hand grip strength. In the 6-Minute Walk Test, the distance covered increased from 224.4 m to 295.2 m, and a 1.36 s reduction in 3-Meter walking time was achieved. Conclusions: tSCS improved motor and sensory function and reduced spasticity and spasms. These findings suggest that tSCS may serve as an effective complementary intervention for motor and sensory rehabilitation in individuals with mild cervical injuries, including CCS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Neurorehabilitation)

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14 pages, 525 KB  

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Successful Transurethral Indwelling Catheter Removal on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Neurological Rehabilitation

by Anke K. Jaekel, Manuel Pickermann, Ann Katrin Walter, Anna-Lena Butscher, John Bitter, Franziska I. Winterhagen, Ruth Kirschner-Hermanns and Stephanie C. Knüpfer

Neurol. Int. 2026, 18(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint18010012 - 6 Jan 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Patients with acute severe neurological disorders often receive a transurethral indwelling catheter (TUIC) during their initial treatment. These TUICs often remain in place until the transfer to a rehabilitation or a long-term care facility. There are no systematic concepts for bladder management [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Patients with acute severe neurological disorders often receive a transurethral indwelling catheter (TUIC) during their initial treatment. These TUICs often remain in place until the transfer to a rehabilitation or a long-term care facility. There are no systematic concepts for bladder management and no data regarding the impact on the catheter associated, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this patient group. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of successful TUIC removal on the HRQoL of those affected and to contribute to the development of systematic bladder management. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted on 33 patients treated at a neurological rehabilitation centre due to acute severe neurological disorders. The HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 Health Survey prior to and following the TUIC removal. The influence of urinary incontinence was analysed. The mean differences were determined using a one-sample t-test adjusted for age and gender. Results: TUIC removal was successful in 61.8% (21/33). The SF-36 Health Survey showed the following improvements (adj. mean diff., 95% CI, p-value): Mental Component Summary measure (4.36, 0.34; 8.38, p = 0.035), Role-Emotional (20.89, 0.54; 41.24, p = 0.045), Physical Functioning (10.03, 3.18; 16.88, p = 0.007). The comparison between incontinent and continent patients showed a poorer HRQoL for the incontinent group. Conclusions: Successful TUIC removal has a positive influence on psychological/emotional aspects and physical functioning. Structured bladder management that considers the physical and psychological aspects of patients and nursing staff, as well as medical and economic aspects, should be pursued with vigour. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Neurorehabilitation)

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17 pages, 12301 KB  

Open AccessArticle

EEG Microstates During Multisensory Stimulation: Assessing the Severity of Disorders of Consciousness and Distinguishing the Minimally Conscious State

by Tao Min, Fangfang Sun, Jiaxue Tong, Zixuan Chen, Yong Yang and Shuai Han

Brain Sci. 2025, 15(12), 1306; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15121306 - 4 Dec 2025

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Abstract

Background: The clinical assessment of Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) has long been constrained by the subjectivity of behavioral scales and the low-temporal resolution of neuroimaging techniques. There is an urgent need for objective, high-temporal-resolution biomarkers to improve the accuracy of DOC severity evaluation [...] Read more.

Background: The clinical assessment of Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) has long been constrained by the subjectivity of behavioral scales and the low-temporal resolution of neuroimaging techniques. There is an urgent need for objective, high-temporal-resolution biomarkers to improve the accuracy of DOC severity evaluation and sub-state differentiation. This study aims to develop a resting-state/task-state dual-modality EEG microstate analysis method. By integrating a multisensory stimulation paradigm with a resting-state global template, we seek to verify the validity and clinical utility of this method in quantitatively assessing the severity of DOC sub-states, namely Minimally Conscious State-positive (MCS+), Minimally Conscious State-negative (MCS−), and Vegetative State (VS). Methods: A total of 27 subjects were enrolled, including 9 healthy controls (HC), 6 MCS+ patients, 6 MCS− patients, and 6 VS patients. A multisensory stimulation paradigm (visual, olfactory, and combined visual–olfactory) was applied, and EEG microstates were extracted using a revised K-means clustering algorithm. Key microstate parameters (duration, global field power, and coverage) were quantified for systematic analysis. Results: During the resting state, the HC group exhibited a significantly posterior parietal-dominant distribution of Microstate D, while this parameter showed a gradient attenuation pattern corresponding to the severity of consciousness impairment in the DOC group (p < 0.05). During the task state, the HC group showed a significant multisensory effect under combined visual–olfactory stimulation; within the DOC group, MCS+ patients demonstrated stronger task-related responses compared to MCS− and VS patients. Conclusions: The gradient attenuation of resting-state Microstate D parameters reflects the severity of DOC, and task-specific responses to multisensory stimulation serve as a potential biomarker for distinguishing MCS+ patients. This dual-modality EEG microstate analysis method provides an objective, high-temporal-resolution basis for the precise clinical evaluation of neurological function in DOC patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Neurorehabilitation)

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21 pages, 5317 KB  

Open AccessArticle

User Experience, System Usability, and Feasibility of Two Novel Immersive Virtual Reality Memory Tasks for Cognitive Training: A Pilot Study

by Gaetano Tieri, Alberto Costa, Silvia Zabberoni, Erika Tenaglia and Maria Stefania De Simone

Brain Sci. 2025, 15(12), 1289; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15121289 - 29 Nov 2025

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Abstract

Background: The implementation of effective, non-pharmacological interventions for enhancing cognitive function is a critical area of research. This pilot study evaluates the usability, feasibility, and acceptance of two novel immersive virtual reality (IVR) memory tasks designed for cognitive training. Materials and Methods [...] Read more.

Background: The implementation of effective, non-pharmacological interventions for enhancing cognitive function is a critical area of research. This pilot study evaluates the usability, feasibility, and acceptance of two novel immersive virtual reality (IVR) memory tasks designed for cognitive training. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three healthy young volunteers (mean age 20 ± 1.5 years) participated in a single session that included two IVR tasks: a “Virtual Face Name Memory Task” for long-term associative memory and a “Virtual Object Location Memory Task” for visuo-spatial working memory. The session, lasting approximately 30 min, was conducted using a Meta Quest 2 headset. To evaluate usability and feasibility, several standardized questionnaires were administered, including the User Satisfaction Evaluation Questionnaire, NASA Task Load Index, User Experience Questionnaire, Simulator Sickness Questionnaire, and System Usability Scale. Cognitive performance was measured through accuracy rates and the number of tasks completed. Results: Questionnaire results revealed an overwhelmingly positive user experience and high usability. Participants reported low frustration and a minimal incidence of cybersickness, confirming the procedure’s feasibility. Performance-wise, participants demonstrated high accuracy in immediate associative memory tasks (names: 80%, occupations: 95%) and visuospatial working memory tasks (change detection: 88–92%, localization: 90–95%). Associative memory performance declined after a 10 min delay (names: 49%, occupations: 59%) but improved significantly in the delayed recognition task (names: 76%, occupations: 88%). Conclusions: This pilot study provides compelling preliminary evidence for the usability and feasibility of two novel IVR memory tasks for cognitive training. The positive user experience, minimal cybersickness, and low frustration ratings indicate that the procedure is a feasible and engaging tool for cognitive intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Neurorehabilitation)

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17 pages, 1429 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Motor Preparation on Walking Ability in Active Ankle Dorsiflexion

by Hiroki Ito, Hideaki Yamaguchi, Ryosuke Yamauchi, Ken Kitai, Kazuhei Nishimoto and Takayuki Kodama

Neurol. Int. 2025, 17(6), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint17060093 - 17 Jun 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1507

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to examine the influence of brain activity during motor preparation on walking ability, focusing on motor control during active ankle dorsiflexion. Methods: Participants were classified into high- and low-corticomuscular coherence (CMC), an index of neuromuscular control based on the [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to examine the influence of brain activity during motor preparation on walking ability, focusing on motor control during active ankle dorsiflexion. Methods: Participants were classified into high- and low-corticomuscular coherence (CMC), an index of neuromuscular control based on the median value. Biomechanical and neurophysiological indices of active ankle dorsiflexion and walking ability were compared between the two groups. Additionally, a machine learning model was developed to accurately predict the CMC classification using brain neural activity during motor preparation. Results: The Cz-TA CMC (beta frequency band) during active ankle dorsiflexion successfully detected significant differences in the maximum dorsiflexion angle, inversion angular velocity, brain activity localization, and variations in Cz beta power values during the transition from motor preparation to execution. Furthermore, CMC identified significant differences in dorsiflexion angle changes after toe-off and inversion angles at initial contact during gait. A support-vector machine model predicting high or low CMC demonstrated high accuracy (Accuracy: 0.96, Precision: 0.92–1.00, Recall: 0.91–1.00, F1 Score: 0.95–0.96) during motor execution based on beta power values from −500 to 0 ms prior to the initiation of active ankle dorsiflexion (representing motor preparation). Conclusions: These findings highlight that the motor preparation processes of the brain during active ankle dorsiflexion are involved in walking ability and can be used to predict it. This indicator is independent of disease severity and holds the potential to provide a clinically versatile evaluation method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Neurorehabilitation)

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