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Open research questions in Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery

905 gap statements mined from Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 4,046 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • The need for a modular and portable device that can be tailored to diverse patient needs and clinical applications. The lack of a system that enables simple and rapid reconfiguration, allowing researchers to explore various experimental questions.

    Advancing human sensorimotor research through modular robotics: the case of the HRX-1 · 2026 · DOI

  • Identifying the optimal electrode placement site required additional time for some participants. Individuals with very stiff muscles or high sensitivity to stimulation may not benefit significantly from this treatment. The device's usability and effectiveness in a clinical environment are key challenges that need to be addressed.

    Encoder-controlled functional electrical stimulator for stroke rehabilitation: a usability study · 2026 · DOI

  • The need for a device that can provide contralaterally controlled stimulation for wider clinical use. The lack of research on the usability and effectiveness of FES devices in clinical environments. The need for a device that can be used in a clinical setting with minimal training and expertise.

    Encoder-controlled functional electrical stimulator for stroke rehabilitation: a usability study · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper identifies the challenge of managing post-stroke psychosis due to the lack of trial-based guidance. It also highlights the challenge of balancing the benefits and risks of antipsychotic treatment in this population. The paper discusses the challenge of developing a systematic approach to managing post-stroke psychosis, including the use of antipsychotics and non-pharmacological alternatives.

    Post-stroke psychosis and antipsychotics: an unresolved therapeutic paradox · 2026 · DOI

  • One challenge is the progressive nature of Parkinson's disease, which can make it difficult to sustain physical therapy. Another challenge is the need for more research on the effects of immersive gamification technology on physical function in people with PD. The paper also identifies the challenge of ensuring the methodological quality of studies in the field of ImGTS.

    Effects of immersive gamification technology on the physical function of people with Parkinson’s disease: a scoping review · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of understanding of the effects of immersive gamification technology on physical function in people with Parkinson's disease. The field of ImGTS is relatively new, and more research is needed to fully understand its potential. The paper identifies a research gap in the use of ImGTS in improving physical function in people with PD.

    Effects of immersive gamification technology on the physical function of people with Parkinson’s disease: a scoping review · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of standardized respiratory training during hospitalization for acute stroke patients. The need for a comprehensive mobile-based respiratory training program to improve respiratory function in stroke patients.

    Effect of a Comprehensive Mobile-Based Respiratory Training Program on Respiratory Function in Survivors of Acute Stroke: Randomized Controlled Trial · 2026 · DOI

  • The need to identify factors associated with different kinesiophobia profiles to inform targeted interventions.

    Latent profile analysis of kinesiophobia and influencing factors among middle-aged stroke patients during the recovery period · 2026 · DOI

  • The effects of blood flow restriction training on lower-limb function and mobility after stroke are uncertain. The safety of blood flow restriction training is not well established. The certainty of evidence for the effects of blood flow restriction training is limited.

    Blood flow restriction training for lower-limb function, walking and functional recovery after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • The long-term persistence of fatigue after TIA is unclear. There is a need to evaluate the associations between fatigue, comorbidities, and functional outcomes.

    Fatigue after transient ischemic attack: cross-sectional associations with comorbidities, activities of daily living and social participation · 2026 · DOI

  • The need to minimize the risk of lead migration. The challenge of characterizing the relationship between individual cervical motor recruitment patterns and functional recovery in stroke survivors.

    Cervical epidural spinal cord stimulation is associated with enhanced voluntary upper-limb muscle activation in chronic post-stroke hemiparesis: a pilot feasibility study · 2026 · DOI

  • The effect of age and frailty on the response to a multimodal individualized long-term intervention after stroke is unclear. Prior studies have not adequately addressed the role of age and frailty in modifying the intervention effect. The LAST-long trial aimed to address this gap by examining the effect of a community-based intervention on functional outcome in older and frailer stroke patients.

    Impact of age and frailty on the effect of a multimodal individualized long-term intervention after stroke: the last-long trial · 2026 · DOI

  • The study notes that variation in interrater and intrarater reliability between 3 months and 6 months cannot be underestimated. The study acknowledges that the results are not generalisable to more severe stroke patients. The study notes that despite using a validated instrument assessing mRS, the results may be limited by the lack of generalisability to other populations.

    Stroke recovery patterns and predictors in India: A post-hoc analysis from the ATTEND trial · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited data exist on stroke recovery using the modified Rankin Scale in India. Limited information exists regarding stroke outcomes post-diagnosis, its changes over time, and factors associated with these changes among stroke patients in India.

    Stroke recovery patterns and predictors in India: A post-hoc analysis from the ATTEND trial · 2026 · DOI

  • Identifying, accessing, and coordinating the resources needed to support recovery and adjustment to post-stroke life. Fragmented systems of care. Unmet Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) barriers, including financial strain, housing instability, and transportation limitations.

    Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics as transitional care hubs after stroke · 2026 · DOI

  • Substantial heterogeneity across VR interventions, particularly regarding differences in game design, task specificity, levels of immersion, intervention protocols, and integration with CT, which may limit comparability across studies. Variability in dosage and training intensity, as well as heterogeneity in participant characteristics, may further contribute to inconsistency in outcomes.

    Influence of Immersion Level and Game Type on Virtual Reality Interventions for Upper Limb Function After Stroke: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • The intervention may have imposed stress or fatigue on very old patients. The study had to balance the intensity of the intervention with the needs and capabilities of older and frailer participants.

    Impact of age and frailty on the effect of a multimodal individualized long-term intervention after stroke: the last-long trial · 2026 · DOI

  • Determining post-acute care needs post-stroke is complex. There are both clinical and non-clinical factors that impact discharge disposition after stroke.

    Factors associated with discharge to skilled nursing despite a clinical recommendation for inpatient rehabilitation · 2026 · DOI

  • There remains no consistently implemented model for delivering transitional care after stroke. Most described transitional care models have been anchored within general medicine or hospital-based programs rather than specialty rehabilitation practices.

    Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics as transitional care hubs after stroke · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigation of how muscles respond to external forces and how the brain coordinates the responses. Development of novel movement-assistive strategies for neuromotor rehabilitation.

    Advancing human sensorimotor research through modular robotics: the case of the HRX-1 · 2026 · DOI

  • Larger, multi-center studies are needed to confirm the findings, - Further research on the long-term effects…

    Effect of a Comprehensive Mobile-Based Respiratory Training Program on Respiratory Function in Survivors of Acute Stroke: Randomized Controlled Trial · 2026 · DOI

  • The certainty of evidence ranged from moderate to very low across outcomes - Risk of bias, inconsistency, and/or imprecision were the primary reasons for downgrading the certainty of evidence - Adverse-event reporting was limited and inconsistent across the included…

    Blood flow restriction training for lower-limb function, walking and functional recovery after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • The study had a small sample size of four participants, - The study was a pilot feasibility study, - The intervention period was limited to 28…

    Cervical epidural spinal cord stimulation is associated with enhanced voluntary upper-limb muscle activation in chronic post-stroke hemiparesis: a pilot feasibility study · 2026 · DOI

  • Study only included non-Hispanic white and Mexican American incident stroke survivors, - Limited to a specific geographic area, - Did not account for all potential…

    Access to neighborhood destinations that offer opportunities for physical activity and socialization is associated with favorable post-stroke outcomes · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigate the impact of neighborhood destinations on post-stroke outcomes in other populations, - Examine the effects of specific types of destinations on post-stroke outcomes, - Explore the role of neighborhood destinations in the recovery…

    Access to neighborhood destinations that offer opportunities for physical activity and socialization is associated with favorable post-stroke outcomes · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) The lack of a system that enables simple and rapid reconfiguration, allowing researchers to explore various experimental questions (“Advancing human sensorimotor research through modular robotics: the case of the…”, 2026); (2) The lack of research on the usability and effectiveness of FES devices in clinical environments (“Encoder-controlled functional electrical stimulator for stroke rehabilitation:…”, 2026); (3) The paper identifies the challenge of managing post-stroke psychosis due to the lack of trial-based guidance (“Post-stroke psychosis and antipsychotics: an unresolved therapeutic paradox”, 2026); (4) There is a lack of understanding of the effects of immersive gamification technology on physical function in people with Parkinson's disease (“Effects of immersive gamification technology on the physical function of people…”, 2026); (5) The lack of standardized respiratory training during hospitalization for acute stroke patients (“Effect of a Comprehensive Mobile-Based Respiratory Training Program on…”, 2026). 905 gap statements have been mined from Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 4,046 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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