How Technology is Revolutionizing Stroke Rehabilitation?

Before modern technological advancements, there were few options available for treating stroke. However, with today’s medical advancements, there are many new rehabilitation techniques that can significantly improve the quality of life of stroke patients.

In this article, we’ll explore how technology is changing the world of stroke recovery, examining innovative therapies such as stem cell therapy, brain stimulation and muscle stimulation.

Technological Advancements in Stroke Rehabilitation

Up until recently, stroke treatment consisted mostly of preventative methods. For example, doctors would only perform surgery or give medication to prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of stroke. Doctors had very limited options to help patients recover from stroke.

However, with new technology and a better understanding of stroke, researchers are finding new ways to normalize brain activity, repair damaged tissue and restore the quality of life in stroke patients. 

Key Technologies Revolutionizing Stroke Rehabilitation

Stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy for stroke is one of the most promising technological advancements in stroke recovery. Research into this stroke treatment began in 1998, and since then, stem cell therapy has become an attractive option with many benefits for stroke patients.

Using stem cells in stroke treatment works by introducing stem cells that promote the regeneration of damaged brain tissue. Most clinics, including Swiss Medica, use mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) because they are a safe, effective and ethical type of stem cell. 

When MSCs enter the body, they migrate to damaged brain tissues. They then produce growth factors that promote the growth of new healthy neurons and cytokines that reduce neuroinflammation. MSCs can also:

 

  • stimulate the growth of new blood vessels
  • activate the body’s own stem cell pool
  • modulate the immune system
  • improve neuromuscular conductions

Many stem cell clinics also use MSC-derived exosomes in their therapy. Exosomes are microvesicles of stem cells that transport substances between cells. Exosomes are beneficial in stroke treatment because they carry the same benefits as the stem cells, but can travel more easily in the body and come with less risk of rejection.

Muscle stimulation rehabilitation 

Many stroke victims lose some control over their muscles. While physiotherapy can help restore some lost muscle function, new technological advancements like muscle stimulation rehabilitation may be more effective.

Brain damage from stroke can prevent the brain from sending signals to the muscles. Muscle stimulation therapy uses electrodes to generate electrical pulses that stimulate the patient’s muscles in the way the brain normally would. Muscle stimulation therapy can:

 

  • strengthen weak muscles
  • reduce spasticity
  • reduce muscle pain

Brain stimulation

Brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) also show great promise in supporting stroke recovery.

TMS uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate brain activity, whereas tDCS uses a weak electrical current to modulate brain activity. TMS can reduce post-stroke neuroinflammation, reduce oxidative stress and promote angiogenesis. tDCS modulates the excitability of targeted brain regions to improve stroke recovery. 

Benefits of Technology in Stroke Rehabilitation

Since stem cell therapy targets the underlying brain damage in stroke patients, patients can see remarkable improvements. Stroke patients can regain cognitive functioning, speech and muscle control. Stem cell therapy can even stop the progression of the disease.

While this innovative treatment is very promising, treatment outcomes are still limited by the severity of the stroke, time since the stroke occurred, age of the patient and lifestyle factors.

Muscle stimulation rehabilitation is a non-invasive therapy and can help stroke patients regain muscle strength. It can also help prevent muscle atrophy in stroke patients. However, muscle stimulation usually only restores muscle function in the upper limbs. 

According to research, tDCS was able to improve motor function and upper limb movement in people with stroke. By reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress and promoting angiogenesis, TMS can improve cognitive function in stroke patients. Both of these methods are non-invasive and come with few side effects. 

In conclusion

Using stem cells in stroke treatment is one of the most promising treatment methods today. Stem cells promote the growth of healthy neurons, reduce neuroinflammation and increase blood flow, helping stroke patients regain cognitive abilities, speech and motor function.

Other innovative treatments include brain stimulation and muscle control therapy. Brain stimulation can modulate brain activity, reduce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, and help restore damaged brain tissues. Muscle control therapy can strengthen the muscles of stroke patients and prevent muscle atrophy.