20/08/2025
What Is Neuroplasticity and Why Is It Important in Stroke Rehab? 🧠
It’s a word you’ll hear a lot in stroke recovery, but what does it really mean? Neuroplasticity is one of the most important parts of how the brain heals.
❓️ How does neuroplasticity work in stroke recovery?
1. Repetition strengthens neural pathways: Just like physical exercise strengthens muscles, practising a movement or skill repeatedly reinforces new connections in the brain.
2. Task-specific training improves function: Evidence shows that practising real-world tasks (like walking, grasping, or speaking) leads to better recovery than general exercises.
3. Early and intensive rehab boosts outcomes: Studies have shown that starting therapy early and maintaining consistent rehab increases neuroplastic changes and leads to better function.
4. Use it or lose it: If a limb or skill isn’t used after a stroke, the brain may ‘forget’ how to use it. This is why active participation in rehab is so important.
👉 Tomorrow’s topic: What are the main goals of stroke rehab? 🤔
