International Journal of Social Science & Economic Research
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Title:
Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Rehabilitation: Advances in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders

Authors:
CAO Thi-Thuy Giang, HUYNH Nguyen-Hoang My, DANG Quang Vinh, NGUYEN Trinh-Thien Kim, NGUYEN Le-Nhat-Vi, PHAM Thi Kim Mai , PHAM Nguyen Kim Yen , NGUYEN Thi Phuong Uyen and NGUYEN Truong Thanh Hai

Journal: International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research (IJSSER)
ISSN: 2455-8834
Volume: 11
Issue: 6
Publication Date: June 2026
DOI: 10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i06.010

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CAO Thi-Thuy Giang¹, HUYNH Nguyen-Hoang My¹, DANG Quang Vinh¹, NGUYEN Trinh-Thien Kim¹, NGUYEN Le-Nhat-Vi¹, PHAM Thi Kim Mai2 , PHAM Nguyen Kim Yen3 , NGUYEN Thi Phuong Uyen4 and NGUYEN Truong Thanh Hai4,
1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Hung Vuong University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
2. Clinical Social Work Department, Boston College, USA.
3. Collaborator at Lumos Psychology Institute, Vietnam.
4. Facuty of Nursing, Hong Bang International University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
4. Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Can Tho, Can Tho City, Vietnam.

MLA 8
Giang, CAO Thi-Thuy, et al. "Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Rehabilitation: Advances in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 11, no. 6, June 2026, pp. 2612-2625, doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i06.010. Accessed June 2026.
APA 6
Giang, C., My, H., Vinh, D., Kim, N., Le-Nhat-Vi, N., Mai, P., & Yen, P. (2026, June). Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Rehabilitation: Advances in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, 11(6), 2612-2625. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i06.010
Chicago
Giang, CAO Thi-Thuy, HUYNH Nguyen-Hoang My, DANG Quang Vinh, NGUYEN Trinh-Thien Kim, NGUYEN Le-Nhat-Vi, PHAM Thi Kim Mai, PHAM Nguyen Kim Yen, NGUYEN Thi Phuong Uyen, and NGUYEN Truong Thanh Hai. "Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Rehabilitation: Advances in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research 11, no. 6 (June 2026), 2612-2625. Accessed June, 2026. https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i06.010.

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ABSTRACT:
Background: The global prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease is rising, yet pharmacological interventions remain largely palliative. Recent evidence suggests that even the degenerating brain retains a capacity for functional reorganization through neuroplasticity.
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of emerging cognitive rehabilitation (CR) modalities—specifically Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS), Virtual Reality (VR), and multimodal physical-cognitive training—in promoting neuroplastic changes and improving cognitive function in NDD patients.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) published between 2020 and 2025. Studies were analyzed for clinical outcomes (cognitive scores) and neurobiological markers (BDNF levels, cortical thickness).
Results: Findings indicate that multimodal interventions (e.g., combining tDCS with cognitive tasks) yield significantly greater improvements in working memory and executive function than monotherapies. VR-based dual-task training demonstrated superior engagement and transfer effects to activities of daily living (ADLs) compared to traditional pen-and-paper methods.
Conclusion: Cognitive rehabilitation operates via distinct neuroplastic mechanisms, including synaptic potentiation and the recruitment of compensatory neural networks (scaffolding). These findings support a paradigm shift toward "prescriptive rehabilitation" as a primary standard of care for NDDs

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