Marina Simonini

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About

Marina Simonini is a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation, with a focus on post-stroke motor recovery and the neural mechanisms underlying gait rehabilitation. Her work primarily investigates how robotic-assisted therapies can modulate spinal and cortical excitability to improve functional outcomes in hemiplegic patients. In her highly cited 2013 study, "Postactivation depression changes after robotic-assisted gait training in hemiplegic stroke patients," Simonini demonstrated that robotic gait training can significantly alter postactivation depression—a key spinal reflex mechanism—suggesting a neurophysiological basis for therapy-induced plasticity. This contribution has shaped understanding of how repetitive, task-specific training can recalibrate neural circuits after stroke. With over 30 citations, this paper remains a foundational reference in the field. Simonini’s research bridges clinical rehabilitation and basic neuroscience, offering insights into how technology-driven interventions can promote recovery. Her work is particularly notable for its rigorous use of electrophysiological measures to quantify treatment effects, setting a standard for evidence-based neurorehabilitation. For students and researchers, Simonini’s studies provide a compelling model of how targeted rehabilitation can drive meaningful neural change.