The global burden of neurological disorders increases significantly. Stroke is the leading cause of disability and drives healthcare cost globally. In 2024, the Lancet Neurology Commission on Neurorehabilitation was founded by Professor Mayowa Owolabi (Nigeria, Chair) and Thomas Platz (Co-Chair). The commission aims to unify global efforts through situational and gap analyses, global service surveys, and economic evaluations. Its goal is to co-create evidence-based, pragmatic, affordable, and scalable solutions for neurorehabilitation and to support their dissemination and implementation globally. This will improve functioning and quality of life, reduce economic losses worldwide, and guide future neurorehabilitation advancements. Commissioners from around the world participate and contribute their experience and help to delineate ways to move forward. The talk will provide insights on the commission’s work on stroke rehabilitation and conclusions that can be drawn thus far.
Thomas Platz studied medicine at Heidelberg University and Duke University (Durham, USA) and completed a postgraduate diploma in epidemiology and biostatistics at McGill University (Montreal, Canada). He received his doctorate from Heidelberg University (1990), obtained his habilitation in neurorehabilitation at the Free University of Berlin (2002) and is an adjunct professor at Greifswald University Hospital. The neurologist worked as chief physician at the BDH Hospital in Greifswald until 2018 and has since been Medical Director of Research. At Greifswald University Hospital, he heads the Neurorehabilitation Research Group. In addition to his research, he initiates and coordinates national and international guideline development and training initiatives for neurorehabilitation, including the Summer School Neurorehabilitation in Greifswald, which he has been organising for 14 years.
Moderation: Professor Dr. Karlhans Endlich