Editor's note:
In response to the Belt and Road Initiative, and with the aim of sharing expertise and addressing shared health challenges, our hospital has launched the Overseas Promotion Program for New Medical Technologies. If you are interested in any of the medical technologies covered under this program, please feel free to contact the International Cooperation Office at faowch@163.com.
Central Pathway and Postural Control Technology
1. Introduction
Central Pathway and Postural Control (CPPC) represents an innovative neurorehabilitation technology with independent intellectual property rights, developed by Professor Gao Qiang's team at the Rehabilitation Medicine Center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Grounded in cutting-edge neuroscience and postural control theory, this system integrates neuromodulation, motor retraining, and biofeedback to enable precise assessment and targeted intervention at the level of central neural mechanisms. Through its unique approach of identifying and modulating neural pathway activities, CPPC effectively facilitates the restoration of postural control and motor coordination while establishing a standardized, trainable, and broadly applicable clinical rehabilitation framework that fully embodies its core philosophy of "Neuroscience-Guided Precision Rehabilitation."
2. Clinical Application Outcomes and Innovations
After over eight years of clinical practice and multi-center application, CPPC has demonstrated significant efficacy in the rehabilitation of stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and other central motor disorders:
a) Significant Functional Improvement: In stroke patients, CPPC has shown an average improvement of 32% in postural stability and 28% in upper limb functional recovery, markedly outperforming conventional therapies.
b) From "Symptom-Oriented" to "Mechanism-Oriented": This technology innovatively targets the neural pathways of the central nervous system to precisely identify the neural components responsible for functional impairments. Intervention strategies are dynamically adjusted based on integrated data from neuroimaging, physical examinations, and rehabilitation assessments.
c) Integration of Neuromodulation and Motor Training: For the first time, non-invasive neuromodulation techniques (such as rTMS, tDCS, FES) are integrated with postural control training, translating the concept of "precision rehabilitation" into a standardized treatment pathway.
d) Development of a Standardized Training System: A closed-loop of "assessment—treatment—feedback—re-assessment" has been established, complemented by multi-level training courses to help therapists rapidly master the core techniques.
3. Significance for Global Dissemination
The promotion of CPPC aligns with the common disease profiles in countries along the "Belt and Road" initiative, demonstrating significant potential for international application and substantial socio-economic benefits.
a) Addressing High-Risk Populations: Central motor disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson's disease exhibit high incidence rates in Belt and Road countries, creating substantial rehabilitation needs. CPPC effectively improves functional recovery and shortens rehabilitation cycles for patients.
b) Proven Domestic Promotion Experience: To date, over 30 national training sessions have been conducted. The technology is routinely applied in more than 20 medical institutions across more than 10 provinces, has been adopted as a new clinical technology by multiple institutions, and was awarded the First Prize of the 2021 Sichuan Medical Science and Technology Award (Achievement Promotion Category).
c) Significant Economic and Social Value: In China, this technology has significantly reduced long-term care and disability-related expenses. Its international promotion could substantially alleviate the economic burden on local public health systems and enhance rehabilitation services.
d) Demonstrating Innovation Capability in Chinese Rehabilitation Medicine: Based on China's original central rehabilitation theory, CPPC established a globally sharable technical framework, standing as a landmark achievement in the "Going Global" of Chinese rehabilitation.
4. Conclusion
CPPC is pioneering a new direction in neurorehabilitation through its scientific rigor, innovation, and high efficacy, representing a major breakthrough for China’s rehabilitation medicine. Its successful implementation not only provides a practical rehabilitation solution for countries with high prevalence of neurological diseases but also demonstrates China’s commitment and contribution to global health through medical science and technology innovation.
