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Assistive Technology for Rehabilitation
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Assistive Technology for Rehabilitation

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2026 | Viewed by 3964

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Camilla Pierella

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genova, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Interests: motor control; neuromotor rehabilitation; technology for motor improvement and rehabilitation
Dr. Susanna Summa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
IRCCS, Bambino Gesu Childrens Hosp, I-00050 Rome, Italy
Interests: rehabilitation;physical rehabilitation; neurorehabilitation; stroke rehabilitation; robotics; gait analysis; posture; movement analysis; biomechanics; postural balance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

"Assistive Technology for Rehabilitation" explores the design, development, and application of innovative technologies aimed at enhancing rehabilitation outcomes for diverse populations, ranging from children to older adults. This Special Issue focuses on cutting-edge advancements that support individuals with motor, sensory, or cognitive impairments, emphasizing translational approaches to improve functional recovery, independence, and quality of life. Topics include, but are not limited to, robotic systems, wearables, virtual and augmented reality, brain–machine interfaces, and AI-driven solutions tailored to assistive and rehabilitative purposes.

Dr. Camilla Pierella
Dr. Susanna Summa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • assistive technology
  • rehabilitation engineering
  • wearable devices
  • robotic rehabilitation
  • virtual and augmented reality
  • AI in rehabilitation
  • human-machine interface
  • neurorehabilitation
  • prosthetics and orthotics
  • independent living

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1140 KB  
Article
Personalized Exoskeleton Gait Training in Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
by Amy Bellitto, Maria Eugenia Cordera, Sergio Mandraccia, Clara Leoncini, Antonino Massone, Maura Casadio and Camilla Pierella
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(17), 9269; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15179269 - 23 Aug 2025
Viewed by 759
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) profoundly affects motor–sensory functions, reducing mobility and quality of life. Robotic exoskeletons offer a promising solution to support gait training, improve mobility, and prevent secondary complications. Existing research predominantly focuses on complete SCI, with limited exploration of long-term effects [...] Read more.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) profoundly affects motor–sensory functions, reducing mobility and quality of life. Robotic exoskeletons offer a promising solution to support gait training, improve mobility, and prevent secondary complications. Existing research predominantly focuses on complete SCI, with limited exploration of long-term effects and tailored training for incomplete SCI. This study investigates device-based outcomes of personalized exoskeleton gait training in 33 individuals with incomplete SCI, with different lesion levels: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. Participants underwent up to 39 sessions of gait training with a commercially available lower limb exoskeleton. Session parameters, including duration, intensity, and modality, were tailored to each individual’s clinical needs as determined by a medical team. Analysis focused on endurance, performance on the device, and patient-reported outcomes related to walking fluidity, safety, and satisfaction. Results showed overall improvement in endurance and performance, with the most significant gains observed in participants with thoracic-level injuries. All participants reported increased perceived safety, walking fluidity, and high satisfaction with the training. These findings support the potential of personalized exoskeleton training to enhance outcomes and experiences for individuals with incomplete SCI. The difference in improvement between lesion levels highlights the need for customized approaches to address the diverse clinical conditions within this population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assistive Technology for Rehabilitation)
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22 pages, 2152 KB  
Article
Tele-Assessment of Executive Functions in Young Adults with ADHD: A Pilot Study
by Agnese Capodieci, Valeria Olla, Chiara Tonasso, Marianna Campana, Annalisa Morsiani, Agnese Zambelli and Giulia Guidetti
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8741; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158741 - 7 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1129
Abstract
ADHD is a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder, but it can persist into adolescence and adulthood and become detrimental to the individual’s well-being. It is known that many individuals with ADHD manifest executive functioning problems that affect their adaptive functioning. In the evaluation phase, it [...] Read more.
ADHD is a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder, but it can persist into adolescence and adulthood and become detrimental to the individual’s well-being. It is known that many individuals with ADHD manifest executive functioning problems that affect their adaptive functioning. In the evaluation phase, it is, therefore, useful to consider these aspects as well. The diagnosis of ADHD is purely clinical in adults: it is based on anamnesis and the completion of questionnaires on the history of symptoms and current symptomatology. In recent years, the tele-assessment has become a valuable and accessible tool for diagnostic framing and intervention planning; however, there are currently few tele-assessment tools that enable the in-depth analysis of young adults. In this study, a group of 34 young adults with ADHD was compared with 35 typically developing peers using a tele-assessment tool for executive functioning (TeleFE, Anastasis). This research can be considered a pilot study to evaluate the differences in these tasks between the two populations and open the possibility of standardizing the tool for young adults. The use of this tool to assess executive functioning in individuals with ADHD in this age group would enable clinicians to plan more individualized interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assistive Technology for Rehabilitation)
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20 pages, 8681 KB  
Article
A Body–Machine Interface for Assistive Robot Control in Spinal Cord Injury: System Description and Preliminary Tests
by Aurora Freccero, Maddalena Feder, Giorgio Grioli, Manuel Giuseppe Catalano, Antonino Massone, Antonio Bicchi and Maura Casadio
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 1792; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15041792 - 10 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1026
Abstract
Motor impairments, particularly spinal cord injuries, impact thousands of people each year, resulting in severe sensory and motor disabilities. Assistive technologies play a crucial role in supporting these individuals with activities of daily living. Among such technologies, body–machine interfaces (BoMIs) are particularly important, [...] Read more.
Motor impairments, particularly spinal cord injuries, impact thousands of people each year, resulting in severe sensory and motor disabilities. Assistive technologies play a crucial role in supporting these individuals with activities of daily living. Among such technologies, body–machine interfaces (BoMIs) are particularly important, as they convert residual body movements into control signals for external robotic devices. The main challenge lies in developing versatile control interfaces that can adapt to the unique needs of individual users. This study aims to adapt for people with spinal cord injury a novel control framework designed to translate residual user movements into commands for the humanoid robot Alter-Ego. After testing and refining the control algorithm, we developed an experimental protocol to train users to control the robot in a simulated environment. A total of 12 unimpaired participants and two individuals affected by spinal cord injury participated in this study, which was designed to assess the system’s applicability and gather end-user feedback on its performance in assisting with daily tasks. Key metrics such as the system’s usability, accuracy, performance, and improvement metrics in navigation and reaching tasks were assessed. The results suggest that assistive robots can be effectively controlled using minimal residual movements. Furthermore, structured training sessions significantly enhance overall performance and improve the accuracy of the control algorithm across the selected tasks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assistive Technology for Rehabilitation)
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Review

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26 pages, 1382 KB  
Review
Prosthetic Devices for Adaptative Sport in Pediatrics: A Narrative Review
by Clàudia Bigas Vila, Giulia Stella, Federica Pauciulo, Marco Tofani, Caterina Delia, Loredana Canzano, Paola Luttazi, Cecilia Cerretani and Gessica Della Bella
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(17), 9652; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15179652 - 2 Sep 2025
Viewed by 382
Abstract
(1) Background: Pediatric activity-specific prosthetic adaptations—such as running blades or cycling attachments—enable children’s participation in recreational activities, otherwise limited with daily use prostheses (DUPs). However, there is little information regarding their design, manufacturing process, and biomechanical performance. This review addresses this gap by [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Pediatric activity-specific prosthetic adaptations—such as running blades or cycling attachments—enable children’s participation in recreational activities, otherwise limited with daily use prostheses (DUPs). However, there is little information regarding their design, manufacturing process, and biomechanical performance. This review addresses this gap by systematically analyzing the current literature on upper and lower limb amputations, and offers a novel synthesis to inform future research. (2) Methods: A review of the literature published in English between 2005 and 2025 was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. We included studies focusing on amputation, prosthetics, and 3D printing. (3) Results: Running and cycling prostheses are among the most extensively studied in recent years. Comfort is reported as a key aspect for achieving an optimal outcome, and innovations in sockets align with biomechanical principles of amputation. However, high costs remain a significant barrier. (4) Conclusions: Advancements in design, material choices, and techniques, such as 3D printing (3DP), have been central to the development of novel activity-specific prostheses for children. However, the current literature focuses mainly on track sports and cycling. This, as well as the lack of accessible key information behind the development of these devices, showcases the present gap between the pediatric and adult research fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assistive Technology for Rehabilitation)
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