1 Medicine Program, Faculty of Health Sciences and Basic Sciences, Navarra University Foundation, UNINAVARRA, Neiva, Colombia.
2 UNINAVARRA Research and Innovation Center – CIINA, Neiva, Colombia.
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2026, 18(02), 719-738
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2026.18.2.0317
Received on 09 January 2026; revised on 17 February 2026; accepted on 19 February 2026
Background: The peripheral nervous system connects the brain to the body and enables us to feel and move. When its nerves are injured by trauma or disease, pain, weakness, or loss of sensation may occur. Previously, treatment focused on physical therapy and surgery. Today, these methods are combined with new therapies such as grafts, stem cells, and electrical stimulation. The current goal is not only to repair the nerve, but to truly and completely restore its function.
Methods: A systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA framework, a search strategy was used to analyze 1210 studies (cohorts, clinical trials, and cross-sectional trials) on rehabilitation for peripheral nerve injuries in adults, and 30 studies were reviewed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Conventional and novel techniques were compared, evaluating muscle strength (MRC), electromyography, functionality (DASH), pain (VAS), and safety. The search was carried out between August and September 2025 in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Data were organized by type of intervention and clinical outcomes, and bias was assessed using Cochrane and the level of evidence using the SIGN scale.
Results: A total of 1210 studies were identified, of which only 30 met the inclusion criteria. The analyzed studies, from Europe, the Americas, and Asia, evaluated traditional techniques and innovative therapies for peripheral nerve rehabilitation. Conventional techniques were generally safe, but innovative techniques showed better results in motor and sensory recovery, especially in complex cases. Randomized clinical trials had a low risk of bias and a high level of evidence (SIGN 1+ to 1++), with a grade of recommendation of A, while retrospective or cohort studies had a higher risk of bias and a lower level of evidence (2+ or 2++), with grade B or C.
Conclusion: Peripheral nervous system injuries remain a significant challenge due to their impact on functionality and quality of life. Traditional techniques such as neurorrhaphy, autologous grafts, and physical therapy remain effective and safe, although their recovery is often slow and sometimes partial. Innovative therapies such as stem cells, photobiomodulation, bioactive polymers, and non-conventional transfers are showing promising results by accelerating reinnervation and improving strength and sensitivity, with a low risk of complications. Evidence indicates that the most effective approach is not to replace traditional methods, but rather to combine both, integrating traditional surgery with modern regenerative strategies to achieve a faster, more functional, and longer-lasting recovery.
Peripheral Nerve Injury; Rehabilitation; Prognosis; Treatment
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Sebastian Rojas-Tovar, Julián D. Laguna-Cuellar, Luna Silva-Varela, Juliana Gomez-Aguilera and Jose D. Charry. Peripheral Nerve Rehabilitation Techniques: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2026, 18(02), 719-738. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2026.18.2.0317.
Copyright © 2026 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0







