Post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation: clinical practices, compensatory movements, assessment, and trends

Stroke, a vascular disorder affecting the nervous system, is the third-leading cause of death and disability combined worldwide. One in every four people aged 25 and older will face the consequences of this condition, which typically causes loss of limb function, among other disabilities. The proposed review analyzes the mechanisms of stroke and their influence on the disease outcome, highlighting the critical role of rehabilitation in promoting recovery of the upper limb (UL) and enhancing the quality of life of stroke survivors. Common outcome measures and the specific targeted UL features are described, along with emerging supplementary therapies found in the literature. Stroke survivors often develop compensatory strategies to cope with limitations in UL function, which must be detected and corrected during rehabilitation to facilitate long-term recovery. Recent research on the automated detection of compensatory movements has explored pressure, wearable, marker-based motion capture systems, and vision sensors. Although current approaches have certain limitations, they establish a strong foundation for future innovations in post-stroke UL rehabilitation, promoting a more effective recovery.