Moving Stroke Rehabilitation Forward and Into the Future

Steven C. Cramer,MD, MMSc, FAAN, FAHA, FASNR

Stroke, the world’s third leading cause of death and disability, leaves many patients with long-term impairments that defy one-size-fits-all care. In this editorial, Dr. Cramer explains updated clinical guidelines for stroke rehabilitation—guidelines that underscore the complexity of brain injury and the need for deeply personalized treatment. The recommendations spotlight under-addressed mental health issues and push for more intensive, task-specific therapies, with telehealth offering new potential. Looking ahead, Dr. Cramer predicts a future shaped by neuroscience research, where rehabilitation is guided not just by symptoms, but by targeted therapy based on individual brain structure and function.

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