Title : Neuroplasticity in motion: Innovative occupational therapy interventions for neurological rehabilitation
Abstract:
Neurological disorders often lead to functional impairments, but advancements in neuroscience have demonstrated the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize. This presentation explores the intersection of occupational therapy and neuroplasticity, focusing on task-specific training, mirror therapy, and sensorimotor integration as key interventions for improving functional recovery in individuals with neurological disorders.
Recent research highlights how targeted rehabilitation techniques drive cortical reorganization, enhancing motor and cognitive recovery. Task-specific training, which involves repetitive, goal-directed activities, has been shown to improve movement patterns by engaging neuroplasticity. Mirror therapy, originally developed for phantom limb pain, is increasingly used in stroke rehabilitation to activate mirror neurons and facilitate motor recovery. Sensorimotor integration techniques, including proprioceptive training and constraint-induced movement therapy, further support functional improvements by stimulating neural pathways responsible for motor coordination and sensory feedback.
This presentation will analyze case studies demonstrating how occupational therapy principles and evidence-based interventions optimize neuroplasticity in stroke survivors, multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and individuals recovering from brain injuries. Through a review of rehabilitation outcomes, we will explore how individualized, occupation-based therapy enhances independence in daily activities.
Additionally, the session will address precision rehabilitation, where interventions are tailored to individual neural activation patterns to optimize patient outcomes. Ethical considerations and accessibility of these interventions will be discussed, ensuring a balance between research and practical application in clinical settings. By bridging neuroscience research with patient care, this presentation reinforces the role of occupational therapy in transforming recovery trajectories for individuals with neurological conditions.
