Multisensory-Based Rehabilitation Approach: Translational Insights from Animal Models to Early Intervention

To examine the development of multisensory processes in animals and humans; to highlight the effects of a multisensory rehabilitation approach in adults and children with visual impairments; to explore the potential effect of early multisensory rehabilitation intervention in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Results

Multisensory abilities develop over a longer period in humans compared to animals, and in both species exposure to cross-modal stimuli from the first months of life is essential for proper multisensory development.

Analysis of the existing literature shows that audio-visual multisensory stimulation promotes long-term plastic changes in hemianopic patients, with stable and lasting improvements in visual exploration abilities. Regarding children with neurodevelopmental disorders, it has been shown that multisensory rehabilitation interventions (such as neonatal massage) contribute positively to the maturation process of brain activity.

The studies analyzed suggest that rehabilitation therapies are more effective when based on multisensory approaches and that, when introduced early, they allow greater exploitation of neuronal plasticity.