Isabella Imbimbo
Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Papers
3
Total Citations
54
H-Index
2
About
Isabella Imbimbo is a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation, whose work illuminates the critical role of cognitive reserve (CR) in shaping recovery outcomes after neurological injury. Her primary research focuses on how an individual’s accumulated cognitive resources—built through education, occupation, and leisure activities—influence the effectiveness of rehabilitation for stroke and Parkinson’s disease. Imbimbo’s major contributions include demonstrating that CR is a powerful predictor of which patients will benefit most from robotic versus conventional upper limb therapy after stroke, as shown in her highly cited 2019 study (26 citations). She has also established that CR directly impacts the success of balance rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease (2018, 26 citations), challenging one-size-fits-all treatment models. By integrating cognitive reserve into clinical decision-making, Imbimbo has pioneered a personalized approach to neurorehabilitation, helping clinicians tailor therapies to maximize functional gains. Her multicenter studies, conducted with the Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, have been instrumental in moving the field toward more precise, patient-centered care. For students and researchers, Imbimbo’s work offers a compelling framework for understanding why two patients with similar diagnoses can have vastly different recovery trajectories—and how we can harness that knowledge to improve lives.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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