Noninvasive augmented sensory feedback in poststroke hand rehabilitation approaches

Stroke is one of the most common and devastating neurological disorders, often leading to major motor impairments. Not infrequently, these come along with sensory deficits that further impact neuromotor control and might hinder rehabilitation outcomes. Intact processing of sensory information is in fact crucial for planning and executing both coarse and fine movements and to regain natural motor function. Although the importance of motor therapy in both the acute and chronic stages is well-established, the sensory aspect of poststroke therapeutic interventions is often overlooked. We perused the literature for studies that investigated noninvasive techniques to artificially reinstate this essential component of motor control and to enhance it with rehabilitative purposes. We summarize important approaches and related findings and conclude that knowledge on the effectiveness of somatosensory stimulation in long-term rehabilitation therapies remains incomplete.