Regenerative Rehabilitation and Genomics: Frontiers in Clinical Practice

As collaborative efforts grow between rehabilitation scientists and those working in molecular/cellular technologies, physical therapists increasingly appreciate the relevance of regenerative rehabilitation and genomics in their research and practice. Traditionally, PTJ might not have been considered a natural home for papers focused on regenerative medicine and genomics, but the robust response to our call for papers suggests that the tide is turning. In fact, because of the number of submissions received, what started as a special issue has expanded into a special series. In this editorial introducing the first installment of the series, we provide a framework for the importance of this area to physical therapist practice and highlight the articles that inaugurate the series.

The Alliance for Regenerative Rehabilitation Research and Training (AR3T) defines regenerative rehabilitation as “the integration of principles and approaches from the fields of rehabilitation science and regenerative medicine.”¹ Regenerative medicine focuses on the enhancement of endogenous stem cell function or the transplantation of exogenous stem cells to repair or replace tissue function that has been lost due to injury, disease, or aging. As such, the efficacy of rehabilitation interventions to restore physical functioning may be enhanced through the use of cellular and other regenerative therapies. Of no surprise to those in the rehabilitation field, regenerative medicine technologies have been shown to benefit from the application of targeted and specific mechanical stimuli. Advances in the field of regenerative medicine offer exciting new opportunities to enhance tissue regenerative capacity where the endogenous response fails, thereby opening up the scope of physical therapist practice where physical therapists are experts in the prescription of physical activity and modalities to promote tissue healing and recovery.