Gary W. Thickbroom
The University of Western Australia, Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medicine
Papers
6
Total Citations
422
H-Index
6
About
Gary W. Thickbroom is a leading figure in neurorehabilitation, whose pioneering work has reshaped our understanding of motor recovery after neurological injury. His research sits at the intersection of non-invasive brain stimulation and robotic therapy, primarily focusing on stroke and spinal cord injury (SCI). Thickbroom’s major contributions include demonstrating that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can transiently increase corticomotor excitability in the motor cortex, a finding that has been cited over 140 times and laid the groundwork for combinatorial therapies. He has systematically investigated the critical role of timing in pairing tDCS with robotic practice, and his work has shown that intensive robot-assisted arm training can yield clinical improvements even in chronic stroke and SCI patients. Notably, his studies have revealed unexpected benefits, such as robotic arm rehabilitation promoting speech recovery in stroke patients with aphasia. With cumulative citations exceeding 400 across his key papers, Thickbroom’s research provides essential evidence for the feasibility and safety of these interventions, while also tempering expectations by showing that supplementary tDCS does not always enhance outcomes. His work remains a cornerstone for students and researchers exploring the future of neurorehabilitation.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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