This special interest article provides a historical framework with a contemporary case example that traces the infusion of the science of motor learning into neurorehabilitation practice. The revolution in neuroscience provided the first evidence for learning-dependent neuroplasticity and presaged the role of motor learning as critical for restorative therapies after stroke. The scientific underpinnings of motor learning have continued to evolve from a dominance of cognitive or information processing perspectives to a blend with neural science and contemporary social-cognitive psychological science. Furthermore, advances in the science of behavior change have contributed insights into influences on sustainable and generalizable gains in motor skills and associated behaviors, including physical activity and other recovery-promoting habits. For neurorehabilitation, these insights have tremendous relevance for the therapist–patient interactions and relationships. We describe a principle-based intervention for neurorehabilitation termed the Accelerated Skill Acquisition Program that we developed. This approach emphasizes integration from a broad set of scientific lines of inquiry including the contemporary fields of motor learning, neuroscience, and the psychological science of behavior change. Three overlapping essential elements—skill acquisition, impairment mitigation, and motivational enhancements—are integrated.

Within recent years clinicians and researchers have applied paraspinal EMG biofeedback procedures during static and dynamic movement retraining of chronic low back pain patients. Most of these applications make use of surface electromyography, an approach complicated by the fact that the erector spinae muscles are deeply situated. This descriptive study reveals that extraneous movements, such as neck flexion and pelvic rotation, can elicit profound activity from percutaneously placed EMG electrodes while little change is seen at the skin surface. The implications of these observations for the use of EMG feedback to remediate low back pain are discussed.