Motor rehabilitation should be based on knowledge of motor control

Abstract

Neurorehabilitation is at a crossroads. Indeed, there is inconclusive, but promising evidence about clinical effectiveness of rehabilitation in the field of neurological impairments. Translating the new theories on motor control into clinical research may help to develop new treatment strategies and guide rehabilitation approaches. The concepts of synergy and the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis provide a strong theoretical framework to explain how the nervous system controls and coordinates movements, ensuring stability during daily actions. Moreover, this approach can increase the understanding of the neural control of action stability with implications for clinical practice and may help the development of new treatment strategies.