Towards Effective Neurorehabilitation for Stroke Patients

Abstract

Despite global and regional health crises, global life expectancy has increased continuously and substantially over the past 40 years. This is associated with an increase in incidence of age-related diseases, such as ischemic stroke and has an important socio-economic impact. There is a growing demandto have more effective treatments to reduce disability and improve the outcome of stroke patients. We reviewed the latest advances on neurorehabilitation and the new trends in this field. We provide practicing neurology and rehabilitation clinicians with a review of concepts of neuroplasticity, engagement, enriched environments, smart robotics, neuroelectronic devices and explain how they could be linked and applied in daily practise. Also, we review pharmacological interventions with a direct effect in neurorehabilitation. We conclude that there is some degree of evidence suggesting a possible positive co-adjuvant effect of citicoline in the rehabilitation phase of patients after stroke.