Application of motor learning in neurorehabilitation: a framework for health-care professionals

Melanie Kleynen*, Anna Beurskens, Huub Olijve, Jip Kamphuis, Susy Braun

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Learning motor skills is an essential part of most rehabilitation processes. Facilitating and supporting motor learning is particularly challenging in neurological rehabilitation: patients who suffer from neurological diseases experience both physical limitations and difficulties of cognition and communication that affect and/or complicate the motor learning process. Therapists (e.g. physiotherapists and occupational therapists) who work in neurorehabilitation are therefore continuously searching for the best way to facilitate patients during these intensive learning processes. To support therapists in the application of motor learning, a framework was developed, integrating knowledge from the literature and the opinions and experiences of international experts. This article presents the framework, illustrated by cases from daily practice. The framework may assist therapists working in neurorehabilitation in making choices, implementing motor learning in routine practice, and supporting communication of knowledge and experiences about motor learning with colleagues and students. The article discusses the framework and offers suggestions and conditions given for its use in daily practice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-20
Number of pages20
JournalPhysiotherapy Theory and Practice
Volume36
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jan 2020

Keywords

  • motor learning
  • framework
  • neurological rehabilitation
  • ATTENTIONAL FOCUS
  • STROKE REHABILITATION
  • FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY
  • PARKINSONS-DISEASE
  • EXTRINSIC FEEDBACK
  • PHYSICAL-THERAPY
  • IMPLICIT
  • SKILL
  • MOVEMENT
  • EXPLICIT

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