Sara S. Salles

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About

Dr. Sara S. Salles is a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation, specializing in the intersection of non-invasive brain stimulation and robotic-assisted motor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Her work focuses on developing innovative, combinatory therapies to restore walking function in individuals with incomplete SCI. In her landmark 2016 randomized pilot study, which has garnered 80 citations, Dr. Salles was the first to investigate the synergistic effects of pairing transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with robot-assisted gait training. This seminal work demonstrated that simultaneously priming the motor cortex with tDCS during robotic locomotor training can significantly enhance motor performance beyond either intervention alone. By bridging the gap between neuromodulation and robotic rehabilitation, Dr. Salles has established a new framework for personalized, neuroplasticity-driven recovery. Her contributions are pivotal for students and clinicians seeking evidence-based strategies to maximize functional outcomes in SCI rehabilitation, positioning her as a key architect of next-generation, brain-body interface therapies for paralysis.