Expanding the targets of therapeutic electrophysical stimulation - For the advancement of peripheral nerve regenerative rehabilitation

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) causes long-term dysfunction and significantly affect patients' quality of life. However, regenerative rehabilitation, which combines rehabilitation and regenerative medicine approaches, has shown promising progress in promoting nerve regeneration after PNI. This article reviews rehabilitation methods and therapeutic electrophysical agents (EPAs) for promoting nerve regeneration, their possible mechanisms, and the progress achieved to date in the treatment of PNI using regenerative rehabilitation with EPAs. We also discuss several factors that have the potential to optimize treatment outcomes, including the intervention target, timing, and duration. This review provides a comprehensive overview of advancements in the treatment of PNI, possible strategies to maximize treatment efficacy, and the challenges that need to be addressed.