Optimizing Stroke Recovery: Dr. Mark Bayley on Neuroplasticity and Evidence Implementation for ISPRM 2026

As the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) prepares for its 2026 World Congress in Vancouver, the excitement is building around the scientific program. In a recent interview, Dr. Margarida Freitas, a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine physician from Portugal, sat down with one of the event’s most distinguished keynote speakers, Dr. Mark Bayley. Dr. Bayley, who serves as the Program Medical Director and Physiatrist-in-Chief at UHN Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and is a Professor at the University of Toronto, offered a compelling preview of his upcoming lecture, which promises to tackle some of the most pressing questions in neurological rehabilitation.

Dr. Bayley plans to challenge the audience by first highlighting the sheer volume of evidence currently available, asking if attendees realize there are hundreds of randomized control trials specifically focused on motor recovery and exercise following stroke. However, this abundance of data raises critical logistical questions for practitioners regarding the ideal timing, dose, and frequency of these interventions. He explained to Dr. Freitas that a major challenge for clinicians worldwide, often operating with limited time and funding, is deciding which of these many exercises they should prioritize first and which should be added only if time permits.

Moving beyond the logistics of exercise dosing, Dr. Bayley will also address the “thorny issue” of the biological recovery window. Current clinical understanding suggests that motor recovery begins to decrease significantly around 12 weeks post-stroke. His keynote will delve into cutting-edge research examining biological strategies designed to enhance neuroplasticity and potentially extend that critical window, allowing patients to derive the most benefit when the brain is particularly prone to recovery. As part of this discussion, he looks forward to sharing insights from the work currently being conducted through the CanStroke Trials platform.

Perhaps the most significant hurdle Dr. Bayley aims to address is the implementation gap. He noted that despite the massive amount of evidence and research being generated, ensuring that clinicians actually follow the evidence remains a struggle. His session will discuss the challenges of bridging the gap between what is scientifically known and what is done in daily practice, while offering strategies to enhance the uptake of best practice evidence.

Beyond the rigorous scientific program, Dr. Bayley shared his enthusiasm for welcoming the global community to Vancouver, which he describes as Canada’s most beautiful city. Set against a backdrop of mountains, he highlighted that attendees can enjoy activities ranging from walking the seawall in Stanley Park to climbing Grouse Mountain for a view, or even visiting nearby Whistler and Victoria. As Dr. Freitas concluded, the congress offers a unique opportunity to experience an outstanding scientific program while connecting with the global physiatry community in a truly remarkable setting.