Innovative technologies applied to sensorimotor rehabilitation after stroke

Publication date: Available online 26 August 2014 Source:Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Author(s): I. Laffont , K. Bakhti , F. Coroian , L. van Dokkum , D. Mottet , N. Schweighofer , J. Froger Innovative technologies for sensorimotor rehabilitation after stroke have dramatically increased these past 20 years. Based on a review of the literature on “Medline” and “Web of Science” between 1990 and 2013, we offer an overview of available tools and their current level of validation. Neuromuscular electric stimulation and/or functional electric stimulation are widely used and highly suspected of being effective in upper or lower limb stroke rehabilitation. Robotic rehabilitation has yielded various results in the literature. It seems to have some effect on functional capacities when used for the upper limb. Its effectiveness in gait training is more controversial. Virtual reality is widely used in the rehabilitation of cognitive and motor impairments, as well as posture, with admitted benefits. Non-invasive brain stimulation (rTMS and TDCS) are promising in this indication but clinical evidence of their effectiveness is still lacking. In the same manner, these past five years, neurofeedback techniques based on brain signal recordings have emerged with a special focus on their therapeutic relevance in rehabilitation. Technological devices applied to rehabilitation are revolutionizing our clinical practices. Most of them are based on advances in ne...
Source: Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine - Category: Rehabilitation Source Type: research