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Total Citations
67
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About
Joel Frontera is a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation, with a focus on restoring motor function after spinal cord injury (SCI). His work bridges non-invasive brain stimulation and robotic-assisted therapy, targeting upper extremity recovery in chronic cervical SCI. In his landmark proof-of-concept study, Frontera demonstrated that combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the primary motor cortex with robot-assisted arm training can enhance motor outcomes in individuals with incomplete cervical SCI—a population with limited treatment options. This sham-randomized clinical trial, cited over 67 times, provided early evidence for a synergistic approach that primes cortical excitability to amplify the benefits of robotic training. Frontera’s contributions have helped lay the groundwork for more rigorous, integrative rehabilitation protocols, addressing a critical need for alternative therapies beyond traditional care. His work is particularly notable for its translational impact, offering a scalable, non-invasive strategy to improve quality of life in chronic SCI. By merging neurostimulation with cutting-edge robotics, Frontera continues to push the boundaries of motor recovery science, inspiring future clinical trials and rehabilitation innovations.
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