MOTOR RECOVERY IS NOT JUST MOTOR: REWIRING THE BRAIN THROUGH SYSTEM-WIDE STROKE REHABILITATION

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, profoundly affecting physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains of life. Traditional rehabilitation approaches have focused primarily on motor recovery; however, emerging evidence highlights that recovery is a multi-system process driven by neuroplasticity and influenced by sensory, cognitive, psychological, and environmental factors. This article presents a creative and integrative perspective on stroke rehabilitation, emphasizing system-wide contributors and recent advances such as robotics, neuromodulation, and brain–computer interfaces. Understanding and addressing these interconnected systems is essential to optimize functional recovery, enhance neuroplasticity, and improve real-world independence.