The Surprising Science of Neuroplasticity After Stroke: Your Brain’s Hidden Recovery Power
NeuroRehab Team
Thursday, September 4th, 2025
Stroke stands as the second-leading cause of death worldwide and the third-leading cause of mortality and disability combined. The brain’s natural healing process gives hope to millions of survivors. The world spends more than US$721 billion on stroke care, which makes up 0.66% of global GDP. The numbers paint a concerning picture – between 1990 and 2019, new stroke cases jumped by 70.0% while disability-adjusted life-years lost saw a massive 143.0% increase.
The brain’s amazing power to adapt paves the way to recovery. Neuroplasticity lets the brain rebuild itself by creating new neural connections. The stroke’s core damage stays permanent, but the brain can move functions to healthy regions through its natural rewiring process. The best time to recover comes in the first three to six months after a stroke. During this period, the brain responds better to therapy and patients see their fastest improvements.
Upper-Extremity Motor Recovery After Stroke: What Clinicians Can Expect with Usual Care
NeuroRehab Team
Thursday, July 17th, 2025
Virtual Rehabilitation Using Nintendo Wii and Conventional Physical Therapy Effectively Treat Post-Stroke Hemiparetic Patients.
NeuroRehab Team
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019
Da Silva Ribeiro NM, Ferraz DD, Pedreira E, et.al. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation 2015; 22: 299-305.
This study compared the use of the Wii Nintendo to a conventional physical therapy program to improve both sensorimotor activity (measured by the total Fugl-Meyer assessment score) and quality of life (measured using the SF-36). Thirty stroke survivors were randomly assigned to either group and all participants received two hourly sessions for each of two months.
Effectiveness of Functional Electrical Stimulation on Wrist and Finger Flexor Spasticity in Hemiplegia.
NeuroRehab Team
Thursday, October 17th, 2019
Yuzer GFN, Dönmez, Özgirgin N. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2017 (in press).
This randomized trial investigated the effects of functional electrical stimulation of the wrist and finger extensor muscles of patients with chronic stroke who had spasticity of their wrist flexors. The electrical stimulation intervention was applied for 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week for a total of 20 sessions to fully extend the wrist and finger flexors.
Effect of a task-oriented rehabilitation program on upper extremity recovery following motor stroke: The ICARE randomized clinical trial.
NeuroRehab Team
Friday, October 11th, 2019
Winstein CJ, Wolf SL, Dromerick AW, et al. JAMA 2016;315(6):571-581.
This clinical trial recruited 361 participants, approximately 45 days post-stroke with mild to moderate impairments, for upper extremity retraining in order to improve functional use of the impaired upper extremity. Participants received either a new problem solving approach, Accelerated Skill Acquisition Program (ASAP) for 30, 1 hour sessions, Dose Equivalent Usual Customary Care (DEUCC), or Usual and Customary Care which varied from 0-46 hours. Findings demonstrated that all three groups improved in function (Wolf Motor Function Test) and quality of life (Stroke Impact Scale).
