Emerging Perspectives in Stroke Rehabilitation

Poststroke characteristics vary significantly between patients and over time, necessitating the introduction of individualized therapy. To provide the appropriate therapy to a patient at the correct time, several theoretical considerations must be taken into account—from a clear delineation of rehabilitation goals to an understanding of how a certain therapy can influence the underlying neuroplasticity. With regard to the differences between upper and lower limb motor recovery, both domains have experienced a change in perspective on rehabilitation. In gait training, assist-as-needed rehabilitation paradigms have become more pertinent, allowing each patient to find his/her individual walking rhythm and style within healthy boundaries. With the introduction of robotics in upper limb training (with or without virtual reality games that are attached), the amount of training and feedback that is provided to a patient can be increased without a rise in cost. The emerging consensus is to consider the various motor therapies and pharmacological interventions as part of a single, large toolbox instead of separate entities, guiding us toward a more patient-therapist-tailored approach, which is demonstrating tremendous efficacy.