
#104: Marco neurofisiológico del uso de tecnologías en neurorrehabilitación
En los últimos años, las tecnologías han adquirido un protagonismo creciente en neurorrehabilitación. Robótica, estimulación eléctrica, realidad virtual, neuromodulación, sensores… Pero ¿comprendemos realmente qué estamos haciendo sobre el sistema nervioso cuando utilizamos estos dispositivos? En este episodio de Hemispherics recuperamos y ampliamos la ponencia que presenté en el V Congreso Internacional de Fisioterapia del COFISPA, proponiendo una reflexión crítica sobre la relación entre tecnología, neurofisiología y razonamiento clínico. Para ello, recorremos los distintos niveles de organización del sistema nervioso, desde la corteza cerebral hasta la médula espinal y la periferia, explorando conceptos como la excitabilidad, la ganancia neural, las vías descendentes, la reserva estructural o los estados dinámicos del sistema nervioso. A partir de estos fundamentos, planteamos un marco neurofuncional que permite clasificar las tecnologías según lo que hacen: leer, modular, habilitar, moldear o puentear. También abordamos la importancia de medir los mecanismos, ajustar la carga neurofisiológica y distinguir entre mejorar el rendimiento durante una tarea y producir un verdadero aprendizaje motor. Finalmente, reflexionamos sobre las expectativas que rodean a la innovación tecnológica mediante el ciclo del hype de Gartner, aplicado a distintas herramientas de neurorrehabilitación, y comparto mi selección personal de cinco tecnologías especialmente interesantes. Todo ello atravesado por una idea fundamental: la tecnología no sustituye al razonamiento clínico; lo obliga a ser más preciso. Porque el verdadero objetivo no es conseguir que nuestros pacientes funcionen mejor dentro de un dispositivo, sino que desarrollen capacidades que puedan trasladar a su vida cotidiana. Referencias del episodio: 1. Bickel, C. 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