ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
19
FUNCTIONAL REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS AFTER SPINAL
CORD INJURY
Davranov Eshboy Egamkulovich
Kadirov Jonibek Fayzullaevich
Samarkand branch of the republican specialized scientific and practical medical
center of oncology and radiology, Radiation diagnostics department
Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16757550
Background:
Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects 250,000–500,000 people annually worldwide,
leading to severe motor, sensory, and autonomic deficits. Up to 60% of survivors
remain with significant disability, and only 30–40% of patients with incomplete
injuries achieve independent walking within a year. Functional rehabilitation,
therefore, is a critical component of recovery aimed at restoring mobility,
independence, and quality of life.
Objective:
To summarize modern approaches, technologies, and evidence-based outcomes
of functional rehabilitation after SCI.
Materials and Methods:
A structured narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web
of Science, and Cochrane Library databases (2018–2024). Inclusion criteria:
clinical studies on functional rehabilitation after SCI, assessing motor recovery,
independence, and quality of life. A total of 4,132 studies were screened; 124
met the inclusion criteria. Interventions analyzed included early mobilization,
multidisciplinary programs, robotic exoskeletons, functional electrical
stimulation, neuromodulation, virtual reality (VR), and brain–computer
interfaces (BCIs).
Results:
Early initiation of rehabilitation within the first 6–8 weeks significantly
improves neurological and functional outcomes. Multidisciplinary programs
combining physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support
demonstrate better ADL and social reintegration outcomes. Advanced
technologies—robot-assisted gait training, exoskeletons, neuromodulation, VR,
and BCIs—enhance neuroplasticity and lead to measurable gains in walking
speed, endurance, and independence, especially in patients with incomplete SCI.
Discussion:
Modern rehabilitation has evolved into an
active, technology-driven, and
patient-centered process
. While prognosis is still determined by the level and
ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
20
completeness of the lesion, the integration of advanced technologies offers new
opportunities for recovery, particularly when combined with early and
personalized multidisciplinary care. Accessibility of high-cost interventions
remains a limitation, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Conclusion:
Functional rehabilitation after SCI must be
early, individualized, and
multidisciplinary
, incorporating modern technologies to maximize
neuroplasticity and improve long-term outcomes. The future lies in combining
neuroregenerative therapies with robotics, neuromodulation, and virtual reality
to enhance independence and quality of life.
Keywords:
Spinal cord injury, functional rehabilitation, neuroplasticity,
exoskeleton, neuromodulation, multidisciplinary approach.
