Ask HN: Helping a stroke victim regain hand-eye coordination with video games?

On a more serious note, here is an explanation.

Neurons are types of cells that don’t regenerate, unlike, say, the tissue in your hand that can repair itself. There is research on stem cells, which is sort of a trick, but that might take decades to be practical and safe, if ever.

It remains neuroplasticty, namely, the ability of the brain to rewire itself. This means, healthy parts of the brain learn to perform tasks of the damaged tissue. Neuroplasticity is relevant early in childhood and rapidly fades. The brain of an adult is mostly fixed, to put it in layman terms (although, as usual, there is a lot of heterogeneity in biology). The way you harness neuroplasticity is via rehabilitation. This is mostly effective early on already in ICU, or right after discharge until 6 months (golden period). The results are limited, and determined by age, start time of rehab and quality of the program. Again, there is research that rehab is a lifelong process, but there will be diminishing returns.

Lastly, stroke treatment hinges on preserving the remaining functions, and preventing complications secondary to stroke. Really, all functions are at risk, depending on the stroke volume, including elevated chance of additional stroke: swallowing, speech, sensorymotor functions, spasms, vision, language, etc. So I recommend that you go ahead with your suggestion, continuing rehab and support. The goal is to maintain mobility, preserve what is left and keep up spirit!

There is research in rehab journals on the use of robotic devices that involve also computer puzzles or games. Those interventions are designed by specialists, and administered with right dose, to challenge the patient at the right level. You might be better off to ask his rehab therapist (not neurologist).

As for your 60 year old friend, probably the more difficult thing is just convincing them to give it a serious try. They've avoided it for 60 years for a reason, presumably, and at that age they are unlikely to change much... people get set in their ways and their neuroplasticity decreases long before then.