Dextreure

Dextreure is a neologism used in discussions of motor rehabilitation to denote the process or outcome of restoring dexterous function in the upper limbs after neurological injury. It emphasizes regained fine motor control and coordinated hand movements rather than solely increasing strength or gross motor capacity.

Etymology and usage: The word combines elements associated with dexterity, drawing on the Latin dexter meaning right-hand or skilled, with a suffix reminiscent of Romance-language formations. Since the early 2010s it has appeared in theoretical writings and select clinical discussions, but it is not universally adopted in standard medical guidelines or formal rehabilitation nomenclature.

Definition and scope: Dextreure refers both to the rehabilitation process and to the measurable state of dexterous function after therapy. Assessment often relies on established dexterity tests such as the Purdue Pegboard, Nine-Hole Peg Test, and Box-and-Blocks test, with outcomes including finger independence, grip precision, and bimanual coordination. The concept encompasses not only motor execution but also motor learning and task-specific transfer to daily activities.

Approaches and mechanisms: Interventions associated with dextreure include task-oriented practice, bilateral training, constraint-induced movement therapy, robotic-assisted therapy, virtual reality, and neuromodulation. Recovery is linked to neuroplastic changes in motor cortex, premotor regions, and corticospinal pathways, with emphasis on repetitive, progressively challenging tasks.

Applications and context: Dextreure is most often discussed in the context of stroke rehabilitation but has been mentioned in conversations about spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury as part of a broader framework for regaining fine motor skills.

See also: Motor rehabilitation, Neuroplasticity, Fine motor skill, Dexterity tests.