Giulia Piccinini
Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic, Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation
Papers
2
Total Citations
52
H-Index
2
About
Giulia Piccinini’s research sits at the critical intersection of neurology, rehabilitation, and cognitive neuroscience, with a focus on how cognitive reserve—the brain’s resilience to damage—shapes recovery outcomes after neurological injury. Her most cited work, including a 2019 multicentre study (26 citations), demonstrates that cognitive reserve is a key variable in deciding between robotic or conventional upper limb rehabilitation for stroke survivors. This finding has practical implications for personalizing therapy and optimizing resource allocation in clinical settings. In a parallel 2018 study (26 citations) on Parkinson’s disease, Piccinini showed that cognitive reserve also predicts the effectiveness of balance rehabilitation, suggesting that cognitive factors are as important as motor ones in designing treatment plans. Her work challenges one-size-fits-all rehabilitation models, advocating for tailored interventions based on a patient’s cognitive profile. By bridging cognitive science and physical therapy, Piccinini is helping to define a new, more nuanced standard of care for stroke and Parkinson’s patients—one where the brain’s hidden resilience becomes a guide for recovery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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