Latest Rehabilitation research

Top 10 this week

Week of 1 November 2026

1. 1

   Cervical Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation for Upper Limb Motor Function in Participants With and Without Neurologic Disorders: A Systematic Review of Parameters, Methods, and Safety

   Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 25 September 2026

   Across 15 studies involving 194 people, cervical stimulation was reported as safe and linked to better arm strength and function, usually alongside active training. Protocols varied, and the evidence for people with neurologic disorders was low to very low certainty, so larger, high-quality trials are needed to show whether the benefits are reliable.

2. 2

   Effects of exercise-based interventions on balance and functional mobility in adults with chronic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

   Frontiers in public health · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 13 October 2026

   Across 69 randomized trials involving 2,314 adults with chronic stroke, exercise-based programs improved balance and reach, and reduced the time to complete a mobility test by an average of 2.7 seconds. Evidence certainty ranged from moderate to high, but results varied across measures; larger trials are needed to identify the best training dose and whether benefits last.

3. 3

   Neck-Specific Exercises With Internet Support Versus Standard Neck-Specific Exercise for the Treatment of Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

   Journal of medical Internet research · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 28 October 2026

   In a 140-person trial of chronic whiplash, internet-supported exercises with four physiotherapy visits cost about 12,900 SEK at 15 months, versus 40,100 SEK for 24 clinic sessions, but quality-of-life scores were slightly lower. The cost savings may justify the trade-off for some, but estimates are limited by missing work-productivity costs and self-reported health care use.

4. 4

   Robot-assisted training for post-stroke lower-limb dysfunction: an umbrella review

   Frontiers in public health · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 16 October 2026

   An umbrella review of 19 reviews found potential gains in balance and lower-extremity motor function after stroke, but walking-related outcomes were less consistent. None of the 70 outcomes had high-certainty evidence, and most were rated low or very low certainty, so better trials are needed to establish which patients benefit and which improvements translate into walking independence.

5. 5

   The consideration of time since stroke on intervention outcomes for post-stroke depression and anxiety: A systematic review

   Neuropsychological rehabilitation · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 29 October 2026

   Across 14 publications, studies recruiting patients earlier after stroke more often reported better depression outcomes with psychological interventions than with control care. Evidence on anxiety was sparse, appearing in only four studies, and high variation and low study quality make the timing signal preliminary. Better reporting and direct comparisons are needed to establish when treatment works best.

6. 6

   Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremities (HABIT-ILE) in adults with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial

   Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 31 October 2026

   In a randomized trial of 46 adults with chronic stroke, a two-week, 50-hour therapy program improved bimanual hand use compared with usual rehabilitation, with gains still seen three months later. Participants also improved on several measures of arm function and daily activities, but the trial found no significant between-group benefit on lower-limb measures.

7. 7

   Improvement in naming with tDCS and alteration of functional connectivity in post-stroke aphasia: a randomized controlled trial

   Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 3 August 2026

   In a randomized, sham-controlled trial of 60 patients, four weeks of transcranial direct current stimulation alongside speech-language therapy improved picture naming and auditory word-picture identification more than therapy with sham stimulation. Brain connectivity also increased in several regions, but the study does not establish how long the language gains last or whether they extend beyond subacute aphasia.

8. 8

   Impact of age and frailty on the effect of a multimodal individualized long-term intervention after stroke: the last-long trial

   Journal of rehabilitation medicine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 26 October 2026

   In this randomized trial, 23% of participants aged 80 or older receiving monthly stroke-coordinator support had a favorable functional outcome at 18 months, compared with 57% receiving standard care. The overall trial found no functional benefit; younger participants improved on one cognitive test, and frailty did not alter response. The age-related finding comes from a subgroup analysis and needs cautious interpretation.

9. 9

   An economic evaluation alongside a randomised controlled trial of Scanning Eye trAining as a Rehabilitation Choice compared to sham training for Hemianopia after stroke (the SEARCH trial)

   Clinical rehabilitation · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 30 October 2026

   In this trial of stroke survivors with visual field loss, scanning training had a 67% probability of being cost-effective at £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year compared with sham training. At 26 weeks, the estimated quality-of-life gain was tiny and not statistically significant, and costs were similar; whether the training offers meaningful value remains uncertain.

10. 10

    Self-care recovery after ischemic stroke: a quasi-experimental comparison of two psychological interventions

    BMC psychology · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 3 August 2026

    In this quasi-experimental study, both mindfulness training and cognitive rehabilitation were associated with better self-care and psychological outcomes than control, while mindfulness was associated with greater cognitive improvement. The 61-patient study also found clinically meaningful gains, but randomized trials are needed to determine whether the therapies caused the improvements and which patients benefit most.

Paper of the day, last two weeks

• Inspiratory Muscle Training Plus Schroth Exercise Versus Schroth Exercise Alone on Respiratory Function in Idiopathic Scoliosis

  Respiratory medicine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 5 November 2026

  In a 12-week randomized trial of 68 adolescents with scoliosis, adding inspiratory muscle training to Schroth exercises improved lung function, breathing muscle strength and walking distance more than Schroth exercises alone. Spinal curve measurements did not differ between groups, so the added training improved respiratory outcomes without evidence of changing the scoliosis itself.

• Effects of Functional Inspiratory Muscle Training in Individuals with Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

  Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 4 November 2026

  In this 51-person trial, 10 weeks of exercise incorporating inspiratory muscle training improved six-minute walk distance by about 64 meters compared with no exercise, similar to standard aerobic and resistance exercise. It also improved some breathing measures more than standard exercise, but the small trial does not show whether these added benefits last or improve health outcomes.

• Comparative Efficacy of Isolated Hydrodilatation and Hydrodilatation with Adjuvant Interventions for Frozen Shoulder: A Network Meta-analysis

  American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 2 November 2026

  In a network meta-analysis of 20 randomized trials involving 1,410 people, hydrodilatation with an additional steroid injection was linked to 33 degrees greater improvement in abduction and 23 degrees in forward flexion. A different approach, steroid hydrodilatation at the rotator interval, ranked best for pain relief and external rotation; head-to-head trials are needed to confirm which works best.

• Comparative Effects of Neurostimulation- and Technology-Augmented Robot-Assisted Training on Upper-Limb Motor Recovery After Stroke: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

  Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 3 November 2026

  In a review of 103 trials, robot-assisted training combined with repetitive magnetic brain stimulation was associated with a 9.6-point higher arm-function score than usual care; low-frequency electrical stimulation plus training was associated with a 7.5-point gain. The magnetic-stimulation combination ranked highest, but varied results, limited direct comparisons and low-to-moderate evidence certainty leave the best approach unsettled.

• Social participation after community stroke rehabilitation: individual and intervention factors in a retrospective cohort study

  Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 31 October 2026

  In this retrospective cohort of 534 patients, 17% had a meaningful increase in social participation after home-based community stroke rehabilitation. Improvement was associated with programs addressing mobility, adapted physical activity, communication, and return to work, but the observational design cannot show these interventions caused the gains; which components work best remains unclear.

• Effects of Exercise Type and Duration on Pain, Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review With Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis

  The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 1 November 2026

  Across 35 trials involving 3,808 people, combining aerobic and resistance exercise had the largest short-term estimated benefits for pain, function, and quality of life. Exercise types generally improved these outcomes, but confidence in the combined program's comparative advantage was low, and the clinical value of longer-term exercise remains uncertain.

• Comparative effectiveness of mirror therapy using different delivery media on motor recovery of the upper limb and hand in stroke patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

  Clinical rehabilitation · Q1 journal · SR of cohorts · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 27 October 2026

  In a review of 30 trials involving 1,212 people after stroke, virtual reality mirror therapy had the largest estimated improvement in upper limb function versus control, with scores 8.75 points higher. It also outperformed traditional mirror therapy for hand function, but most comparisons were indirect and evidence for hand recovery was very uncertain; head-to-head trials are needed.

• Effect of Incorporating Perceptual Learning Into Plantar Hardness Discrimination on the Risk of Falling and Muscle Torque in Patients With Hemiplegia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

  American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 29 October 2026

  In this small randomized trial, adding training to distinguish plantar hardness to physical rehabilitation led to lower fall-risk scores, stronger knee extensor torque and better functional independence than rehabilitation alone. The study measured a balance-system score, not actual falls, and does not establish whether benefits last or translate into fewer falls in daily life.

• Remote multicomponent intervention for older adults with cognitive impairment in community settings: multisite randomised controlled trial

  Age and ageing · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 3 August 2026

  Among 140 adults aged 60 to 80 in South Korea, a six-month videoconference exercise and nutrition program improved cognitive screening scores by 2.3 points compared with usual health promotion; the advantage was 1.1 points at 12 months. Function and frailty measures also improved, with no reported intervention-related harms, but results from two health centers need broader testing.

• Comparative Efficacy of Noninvasive Neuromodulation in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

  Neurorehabilitation and neural repair · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 25 October 2026

  In a review of 19 trials with quantitative data, high-frequency magnetic stimulation over the motor cortex was linked to a 7.1-point higher Coma Recovery Scale-Revised score, the largest estimated benefit among approaches studied. Other methods also showed positive signals, particularly in traumatic brain injury, but the findings are hypothesis-generating and the best approach for different patients remains unclear.

• Efficacy of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on Lower Limb Mobility and Activities of Daily Living in Post-Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 23 October 2026

  Across 10 randomized trials, neuromuscular electrical stimulation improved motor-function scores by 3.4 points and daily-activity scores by 13.3 points, alongside gains in balance and walking tests. The results support its use as a possible addition to rehabilitation, but the review does not establish whether these score improvements translate into meaningful everyday benefits for patients.

• Effectiveness of interventions for caregiver burden and quality of life of informal caregivers of stroke survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  Frontiers in public health · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 7 October 2026

  Evidence on reducing caregiver burden after stroke

Evidence summaries in Rehabilitation

• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain
• Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation