#Rehabilitation

A wave of headlines has cheered that exercise is “better than drugs” for preventing colon cancer recurrence, suggesting an exciting shift in how survivors might chart their recovery. But a closer examination of the latest landmark research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June 2025, brings a far more nuanced—and ultimately more practical—message for cancer patients and the health community, including here in Thailand. The real story isn’t a competition between medicine and movement, but a call for a more holistic approach in which structured exercise and medical care both play distinctive and powerful roles in ensuring long-term health and survival.

New research is shedding light on the fascinating cognitive benefits that come from regularly using your non-dominant hand—a practice that could bring fresh hope for brain health and manual dexterity, from the kitchen table in Bangkok to rehabilitation clinics worldwide. While it may seem like a minor challenge, switching hands for everyday tasks is backed by compelling scientific evidence showing that this novel training helps activate underused parts of the brain and refine motor skills. Experts say that both the short- and long-term benefits, from sharper focus to improved brain connectivity, could make this small shift a surprisingly impactful part of daily life—especially for Thai readers interested in lifelong learning and healthy aging.

A new comprehensive review published by the American Heart Association highlights the often-overlooked issue of sexual health following a stroke, calling for increased awareness and tailored support from healthcare professionals worldwide, including Thailand. As stroke survivors face numerous physical and psychological challenges, the report underscores that the impact on sexual function and intimacy is significant, yet remains rarely addressed in standard care.

Sexual health plays a crucial role in overall quality of life, particularly for stroke survivors, whose relationships and sense of self can be deeply affected. In Thailand, where over 250,000 people experience a stroke each year and the number of survivors continues to rise due to advances in acute care, the topic frequently falls outside the scope of post-stroke rehabilitation programs. According to the American Heart Association review, addressing the sexual wellbeing of stroke survivors should be an integral part of recovery—not only for physical rehabilitation but also for emotional and social reintegration (ahajournals.org).

A growing body of scientific evidence is transforming the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, as new research demonstrates that regular, high-intensity exercise not only alleviates symptoms but may also slow the disorder’s progression. For thousands living with Parkinson’s—including many in Thailand—the findings could signal a dramatic shift toward accessible, non-drug therapies that improve quality of life and provide hope beyond conventional medication.

Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition affecting movement, has historically been managed with medications targeting dopamine deficiency. However, fresh insights from academic centers such as the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus reveal that exercise is more than just a supportive recommendation: it is now being prescribed as a first-line treatment. In one recent report, a 79-year-old participant recounted significant improvements in mood, strength, and mobility owing to her structured exercise regimen—changes she directly credits to a new, science-based approach since her diagnosis two years ago (medicalxpress.com).

A growing number of senior health centers are adopting innovative exercise-based therapies—including boxing—to improve older adults’ physical and mental wellbeing, with recent approaches at organizations like Otterbein Sunset Village and programs such as Rock Steady Boxing drawing national attention. These efforts are not just helping seniors stay active: research and firsthand testimonies indicate they are changing lives, enhancing mobility, and providing hope for individuals managing chronic conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

A comprehensive new scientific review has found that exercise can significantly alleviate the side-effects of cancer treatments, a discovery that is being hailed as a game-changer for patients and healthcare providers alike. The findings, reported this week by The Guardian and based on the largest study of its kind to date, highlight the pivotal role of physical activity in improving the quality of life for cancer survivors — a population that has been steadily growing due to advances in oncological care. These insights carry particular significance for Thailand, where the burden of cancer continues to rise and survivorship care is an emerging public health priority.

Research breakthroughs are challenging what most of us believe about “muscle memory,” showing that the roots of athletic resilience and recovery run deeper than just the brain’s capacity to recall an old dance step or bicycle ride. Instead, our muscles themselves can “remember” past training and respond faster to exercise after a break – thanks to changes in gene expression known as epigenetic memory. Recent studies, including pioneering work by Dr. Adam Sharples and colleagues, have brought this hidden capacity to light, offering hope and guidance for athletes, patients recovering from injury, and anyone striving to maintain strength over a lifetime (Wired; Nature).

Pilates has surged in popularity globally and in Thailand, with local fitness centers offering more classes and brands like Virgin Active featuring Pilates prominently in their wellness line-ups.Virgin Active Thailand But what should fitness enthusiasts and health-focused Thais know about the two most popular forms: Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates? Recent research and expert opinions clarify the benefits, limitations, and best fit for different health objectives—an issue especially relevant as Thais increasingly seek gentler, holistic exercise options.

A groundbreaking new study has shown that when people intend to act, their brains perceive these actions as happening faster, revealing intricate links between intention, perception, and bodily movement. This international research, published in PLOS Biology on April 17, 2025, offers vital insights that may shape how we understand free will, rehabilitation, and brain-machine integration for people with disabilities (Neuroscience News; PLOS Biology).

Why does this matter for Thailand? In a society where the aging population and rates of stroke and spinal injuries are rising, research into how intention and neural activity can be used to restore movement holds practical promise. As Thai hospitals increasingly adopt robotic exoskeletons and brain-controlled devices for rehabilitation, understanding how intention interacts with perception could directly impact patient care and societal perspectives on disability.

A new study is shedding light on how people with multiple sclerosis (MS) can best improve their balance—a vital concern for many living with this complex neurological disease. According to Turkish researchers, the most effective balance exercises for MS patients may vary depending on each individual’s specific difficulties, and a personalized approach could be crucial. These findings, published in the journal Neurological Research, promise to refine treatments and physical therapy strategies for over 2 million people worldwide living with MS—including thousands here in Thailand, where MS rates are on the rise, especially among younger adults and women.

A recent research breakthrough suggests the most effective exercises for improving balance in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) should be carefully matched to each individual’s specific challenges, offering new hope for those struggling with everyday activities due to this debilitating condition. The study, published in Neurological Research and summarized by Multiple Sclerosis News Today, could change the way both patients and healthcare professionals in Thailand think about MS rehabilitation and underscores the importance of personalized care for Thai MS patients coping with similar symptoms (source).

A new study using pioneering brain-machine interface technology has found that when people intend to move, they perceive their actions as happening more quickly than if the same movement is involuntary—a fascinating window into how intent shapes our perception of time and action. This discovery, published in PLOS Biology on April 17, may have major implications for debates about free will and could influence future therapies for people living with paralysis (source).

Thai readers searching for new hope in the battle against recurrent low back pain may be encouraged by a recent international study validating the Canali Postural Method (CPM), a personalized exercise technique backed by solid science. A collaborative team from Italy’s National Research Council and Temple University in the US published their findings in the respected journal Healthcare, demonstrating that CPM offers significantly greater pain relief and functional recovery than conventional exercise programs for people with non-specific low back pain—a condition that remains a leading cause of disability both globally and in Thailand.

A recent breakthrough study suggests that low- to moderate-intensity aquatic exercise can significantly improve both physical and psychosocial well-being in people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), bringing new hope for a condition often marked by persistent fatigue and limited treatment options. Published on April 17, 2025, and led by Dr. Suzanne Broadbent, Associate Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, this randomized controlled trial (RCT) challenges the longstanding caution against physical activity for ME/CFS patients—a group that also includes a high proportion of those battling fibromyalgia symptoms.