Unipd: multidimensional neurorehabilitation for the medicine of the future
12.09.2025
A study published in "The Lancet Neurology" and led by the University of Padua suggests adopting the multidimensional approach of neurorehabilitation as a new paradigm for future medicine. Neurorehabilitation, which deals with the assessment and recovery from neurological damage, is recognised by the WHO as central to healthcare systems, with accessible and patient-centred services.
"The international recognition of neurorehabilitation as a precursor to person-centred medicine in its entirety is an important milestone that reaffirms the necessity of rehabilitation in the care process," says Alessandra Del Felice, the first author of the study and professor at the Department of Neurosciences at the University of Padua.
The proposed new model considers the patient in their complexity, integrating biological, behavioural, environmental, psychological, and social aspects. This approach, already applied in the Neurological Clinic and Stroke Unit of Padua, aims for a more complete and satisfactory recovery, optimising healthcare resources.
The study highlights three distinctive elements of neurorehabilitation: the integration between biology and external factors, the collaboration between various disciplines, and the adoption of innovative methodologies. These elements are influencing other fields of medicine, promoting a paradigm shift towards more holistic and personalised medicine.
For patients admitted to the Neurological Clinic and Stroke Unit of Padua, directed by Maurizio Corbetta of the University of Padua—and soon also for outpatients with outcomes from brain injuries and strokes—this model is already a reality: the patient is taken care of with a multidisciplinary approach and innovative methodologies, considering the entirety of the person beyond purely biological aspects. This ensures a more complete and satisfactory recovery for patients and families, also optimising the resources of the regional healthcare system.
Despite the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation, its services are often overlooked. For this reason, "The Lancet Neurology" has established a Commission to raise awareness and promote new interventions, including technological innovations. Neurorehabilitation, with its holistic approach, could serve as a model for patient-centred medicine.
