Neuroplasticity and sensory-motor synergy : Implications for hand function and rehabilitation
Rosén, Birgitta LU ; Wijk, Ulrika LU
and Björkman, Anders
LU
(2026)
In Journal of Hand Therapy
39(2).
p.469-478
- Abstract
Background: Normal hand function relies on a finely tuned interaction between the sensory and motor systems within the central and peripheral nervous systems. The central nervous system continuously adapts to changed activity, environmental changes, learning, and injury — a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. The neuroplasticity is a life-long ability and presents opportunities for therapeutic intervention; by directing it, lost or impaired functions can be improved through a process called "guided plasticity". Purpose: To give an overview of methods of guided plasticity used in hand rehabilitation Study design/Method: Expert review Result: This overview highlights the cortical process for neuroplasticity, sensory-motor synergy, and... (More)
Background: Normal hand function relies on a finely tuned interaction between the sensory and motor systems within the central and peripheral nervous systems. The central nervous system continuously adapts to changed activity, environmental changes, learning, and injury — a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. The neuroplasticity is a life-long ability and presents opportunities for therapeutic intervention; by directing it, lost or impaired functions can be improved through a process called "guided plasticity". Purpose: To give an overview of methods of guided plasticity used in hand rehabilitation Study design/Method: Expert review Result: This overview highlights the cortical process for neuroplasticity, sensory-motor synergy, and its implications for hand function and rehabilitation.Sensory and motor training should commence as early as possible after an injury due to the rapid cortical changes following input changes — a cortical preparation. Conclusion: As research progresses, we can expect further refinements in rehabilitation techniques and neuro engineering, potentially leading to improved outcomes for patients with hand injuries.
(Less)
- author
- Rosén, Birgitta
LU
; Wijk, Ulrika
LU
and Björkman, Anders
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Brain plasticity, Early sensory relearning, Guided plasticity, Hand rehabilitation, Hand therapy, Neuroplasticity, Sensory re-education
- in
- Journal of Hand Therapy
- volume
- 39
- issue
- 2
- pages
- 469 - 478
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:41519636
- scopus:105028093037
- ISSN
- 0894-1130
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jht.2025.10.004
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2025 Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
- id
- c6e7f6cc-77f3-4de6-b563-3225c76bcbcb
- date added to LUP
- 2026-02-27 09:33:39
- date last changed
- 2026-08-30 12:41:00
@article{c6e7f6cc-77f3-4de6-b563-3225c76bcbcb,
abstract = {{<p>Background: Normal hand function relies on a finely tuned interaction between the sensory and motor systems within the central and peripheral nervous systems. The central nervous system continuously adapts to changed activity, environmental changes, learning, and injury — a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. The neuroplasticity is a life-long ability and presents opportunities for therapeutic intervention; by directing it, lost or impaired functions can be improved through a process called "guided plasticity". Purpose: To give an overview of methods of guided plasticity used in hand rehabilitation Study design/Method: Expert review Result: This overview highlights the cortical process for neuroplasticity, sensory-motor synergy, and its implications for hand function and rehabilitation.Sensory and motor training should commence as early as possible after an injury due to the rapid cortical changes following input changes — a cortical preparation. Conclusion: As research progresses, we can expect further refinements in rehabilitation techniques and neuro engineering, potentially leading to improved outcomes for patients with hand injuries.</p>}},
author = {{Rosén, Birgitta and Wijk, Ulrika and Björkman, Anders}},
issn = {{0894-1130}},
keywords = {{Brain plasticity; Early sensory relearning; Guided plasticity; Hand rehabilitation; Hand therapy; Neuroplasticity; Sensory re-education}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{2}},
pages = {{469--478}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Journal of Hand Therapy}},
title = {{Neuroplasticity and sensory-motor synergy : Implications for hand function and rehabilitation}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2025.10.004}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.jht.2025.10.004}},
volume = {{39}},
year = {{2026}},
}