"Neuroplasticity and Functional Recovery Post-Stroke: A Literature Review"

Abstract

Introduction: It is known that Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident - CVA) is a major cause of morbidity worldwide; in addition to having high mortality rates, it is also one of the most commonly associated pathologies with long-term sequelae. Currently, brain plasticity is considered by many as the best chance that patients affected by such sequelae have for a good recovery of their functional capacity, considering that the brain is an adaptable organ and, contrary to what was previously thought, not all injuries to it are irreversible. Methodology: This is an integrative review on the proposed topic, based on complete scientific articles in Portuguese or English, found in databases such as PubMed, SciELO, Virtual Health Library, and others, within the time frame between 2004 and 2024. Health Science Descriptors (DeCS) were used to select the studies that best fit the research. Results and Discussion: Initially, studies using neuroimaging and neurophysiological techniques were applied to the brains of post-stroke patients to further investigate the motor dynamics of the injured organ; the results of such research indicate that non-primary motor areas may significantly contribute to the movement of the paretic limb after stroke. Understanding this brain function pattern, in turn, supports the development of more targeted techniques for the remodeling of the injured brain, aiming to minimize the sequelae of such injuries; examples of these techniques include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Conclusion: Based on the above, it is possible to infer that neuroplasticity is indeed an important tool in current research on the rehabilitation of patients with stroke sequelae. Knowledge of this brain characteristic is crucial to support more modern and less invasive therapeutic approaches.