UMS Physiotherapy Student Presents Neuroplasticity Research at SEAPAC 2025

Sherin Nada Salsabila, a student of the Physiotherapy Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), had the opportunity to take part in the international South East Physical Activity Conference (SEAPAC) 2025 held in Thailand. In the forum, she presented a study on neuroplasticity titled “Neuroplasticity in Motor-Sensory Based Rehabilitation for Cerebral Palsy.”

The research she presented was the result of a systematic literature review under the supervision of Adnan Faris Naufal, S.Fis., M.Bmd. Sherin explained that there are many intervention approaches for cerebral palsy, but no studies specifically compare or examine the relationship between these various interventions

“What I found in the field is that the studies tend to focus only on motor aspects, movement, or only on sensory aspects. Is there any research that actually combines both motor and sensory approaches?” Sherin said, Saturday (15/11/2025).

To answer that question, Sherin screened thousands of articles from various databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Science Direct. Through a strict filtering process, she identified four relevant articles that examined both intervention approaches.

These articles reviewed various types of interventions, such as HABIT-ILE (Hand Arm Bimanual Intensive Training in Lower Extremity), Robotic Gait Assist Training, and the Enriched Environment approach, which provides visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation for children. She then compared these findings to see the benefits of the interventions on motor and sensory development, as well as their influence on neuroplasticity in children.

Sherin Nada Salsabila (center) with her colleagues and academic supervisor at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Thailand, November 2025.

Sherin hopes her research can serve as a foundation for future studies and enrich research related to interventions for children with cerebral palsy. “Or maybe in the future, as the field grows, there will be more studies that explore neuroplasticity in children with cerebral palsy in greater depth,” she added.

Sherin said the opportunity to join the conference began with her final assignment in the OBE (Outcome Based Education) program. She received information about the event from her supervisor, developed a research topic on neuroplasticity, submitted an abstract, and was eventually accepted to present her full paper in Thailand.

The conference in Thailand also marked Sherin’s first experience traveling abroad and attending an international scientific forum. She said she was very enthusiastic since she could meet many participants from different countries.

“Honestly, at first I was really excited and very curious because I’m the type of person who likes trying new things. And when I arrived there, I met people who were completely different from those I usually encounter around me. It turns out that people in the international arena are smart, have deep insights, yet they are also willing to share with us,” she said.

The experience, she added, motivated her even more to join other international conferences. “My hope is that in the future I can participate in more conferences because this was truly an extraordinary and very memorable first experience for me. I learned so many things there,” she added.

Besides the academic experience, she also gained many cultural insights. Her visit coincided with the Loy Krathong festival, giving her the chance to witness the local tradition.

Writer: Maysali Sudarwati

Editor: Fika Annisa’ Sholihah

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid