Dr. Steven L. Wolf has been engaged in neurorehabilitation research for 6 decades. During this time, he has published numerous studies, of great breadth and depth, and of substantial impact. Along the way, he has taught many people a number of key lessons, pertaining to subjects such as leadership, tenacity, creativity, and generosity. This editorial explores 10 of the top lessons from the career of Dr. Wolf.
WolfSLWinsteinCJMillerJP, et al. Effect of constraint-induced movement therapy on upper extremity function 3 to 9 months after stroke: the EXCITE randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2006;296(17):2095-2104.
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WolfSLWinsteinCJMillerJP, et al. Retention of upper limb function in stroke survivors who have received constraint-induced movement therapy: the EXCITE randomised trial. Lancet Neurol. 2008;7(1):33-40.
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LinDJCramerSCBoynePKhatriPKrakauerJW.High-dose, high-intensity stroke rehabilitation: why aren’t we giving it?Stroke. 2025;56(5):1351-1364.
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LehrerNAttygalleSWolfSLRikakisT.Exploring the bases for a mixed reality stroke rehabilitation system, part I: a unified approach for representing action, quantitative evaluation, and interactive feedback. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2011;8:51.
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AhmedTRikakisTKelliherAWolfSL.A hierarchical bayesian model for cyber-human assessment of movement in upper extremity stroke rehabilitation. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2024;32:3157-3166.
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WinsteinCJWolfSLDromerickAW, et al. Effect of a task-oriented rehabilitation program on upper extremity recovery following motor stroke: the ICARE randomized clinical trial. Multicenter study. JAMA. 2016;315(6):571-581.
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LevinMFKleimJAWolfSL.What do motor “recovery” and “compensation” mean in patients following stroke?Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2009;23(4):313-319.
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ClarkPCDunbarSBAycockDMBlantonSWolfSL.Pros and woes of interdisciplinary collaboration with a national clinical trial. J Prof Nurs. 2009;25(2):93-100.
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EvattMLWolfSLSegalRL.Modification of human spinal stretch reflexes: preliminary studies. Neurosci Lett. 1989;105(3):350-355.
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WolfSLLecrawDEBartonLAJannBB.Forced use of hemiplegic upper extremities to reverse the effect of learned nonuse among chronic stroke and head-injured patients. Exp Neurol. 1989;104(2):125-132.
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WolfSL.Revisiting constraint-induced movement therapy: are we too smitten with the mitten? Is all nonuse “learned”? and other quandaries. Phys Ther. 2007;87(9):1212-1223.
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WolfSLWinsteinCJMillerJPBlantonSClarkPCNichols-LarsenD.Looking in the rear view mirror when conversing with back seat drivers: the EXCITE trial revisited. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2007;21(5):379-387.
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CarlozziNEMendoza-PucciniMCMardenS, et al. Common data elements for rehabilitation research in neurologic disorders (NeuroRehab CDEs). Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2025;106(7):981-988.
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SteinJKatzDIBlack SchafferRM, et al. Clinical performance measures for stroke rehabilitation: performance measures from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2021;52(10):e675-e700.
