Evidence is increasing that in addition to pulmonary complications, the SARS CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, may negatively impact the nervous system as well. Rehabilitation strategies need to be adapted for people with neurological conditions and concomitant COVID-19. These issues and others warrant the production and dissemination of scholarly work to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the rehabilitation of people with neurological health conditions.

Please see the Call for Manuscripts​ page for more information.

Call for Manuscripts​ | Submit a Manuscript

The JNPT readership community is an important partner in our efforts to provide content that is of value to physical therapists, researchers, and other rehabilitation professionals who work with people with neurological health conditions. We are performing a reader survey to collect information on how our readers use and value JNPT that we hope will guide the journal in the future. Please take the time to share your opinions about JNPT by clicking on the link below. It should take you approximately 15 minutes to complete. Please complete the survey in one sitting.

https://redcap.upstate.edu/surveys/?s=RMAKNHW9TH

Thank you!
The JNPT Editorial Board

Harnessing Neuroplasticity for Functional Recovery

Neuroplasticity is the capacity of the nervous system to change its chemistry, structure, and function in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli.1 Neuroplastic mechanisms are activated by environmental, behavioral, or neural processes, and by disease; they underpin the motor and cognitive learning associated with physical therapy or exercise. Neuroplasticity can lead to positive or negative changes in function, which are referred to as adaptive and maladaptive neuroplasticity, respectively. In their roles as clinicians and as scientists, physical therapists and other rehabilitation professionals harness neuroplasticity using evidence-based interventions to maintain or enhance functional performance in individuals with neurological disorders. There is still much to learn about the optimal interventions and parameters of dose and intensity necessary to achieve adaptive neuroplastic changes. 

Read the full editorial

Anne Kloos, PT, PhD, NCS, Special Issue Editor, Joyce Gomes-Osman, PT, PhD, Guest Editor; Lara Boyd, PT, PhD, Guest Editor

In this climate of uncertainty and challenge, we hope that you, your family, patients, and community are safe. JNPT is dedicated to continuing to bring you the latest research to support your clinical practice, research, and intellectual curiosity. We are excited to publish this special issue on Harnessing Neuroplasticity for Recovery edited by the outstanding team of Associate Editor Anne Kloos, previous Associate Editor Lara Boyd, and Joyce Gomes-Osman. They have put together a great selection of articles that provides insight into how exercise and neurological health conditions influence adaptive neuroplastic changes.

Using functional near infrared spectroscopy, Stuart and Mancini examined prefrontal cortex activity during walking and turning in response to open and closed loop cueing in people with Parkinson disease and explored the relationships between prefrontal cortex activity and behavioral measures. Chaves and colleagues investigated the impact of a single session of aerobic exercise on corticospinal excitability using transcranial magnetic stimulation in people with multiple sclerosis and if levels of fitness would be associated with corticospinal excitability changes. Vive and colleagues explored the impact of a comprehensive intervention that provided increased motor, sensory, cognitive, and social activity in a stimulating environment with repetitive functional training in meaningful everyday tasks in people with stroke. Hoppes and colleagues also used functional near infrared spectroscopy to determine if people with visual vertigo have different cerebral activation during dual task walking compared to healthy controls. In a case series Peters and colleagues used electroencephalogram to measure movement-related cortical potential to determine how physical therapy affects motor planning.

In this issue we also have abstracts of reviews of current literature in neuroplasticity and functional recovery. Also, please congratulate your friends and colleagues who were received Academy of Neurological Physical Therapy awards at CSM recently.

JNPT also sends out a special thank you to our amazing team of reviewers, editorial board members, and associate editors. Your dedication and hard work are what make the journal a success.

Enjoy the issue and stay healthy and safe,

George Fulk, PT, PhD, FAPTA

Digital Media Editor

Deputy Editor

Evidence is increasing that in addition to pulmonary complications, the SARS CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, may negatively impact the nervous system as well. Rehabilitation strategies need to be adapted for people with neurological conditions and concomitant COVID-19. These issues and others warrant the production and dissemination of scholarly work to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the rehabilitation of people with neurological health conditions.

Please see the Call for Manuscripts​ page for more information.

Call for Manuscripts​ | Submit a Manuscript

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