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Revolutionizing Cognitive Rehabilitation: The Role of Digital Technologies
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Revolutionizing Cognitive Rehabilitation: The Role of Digital Technologies

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 October 2026 | Viewed by 7723

Editors

Dr. Barbara Caci

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: general psychology; cognitive rehabilitation; human factors and ergonomics; personality psychology; web psychology; human-robot interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Margherita Dahò

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: general psychology; cognitive rehabilitation with digital technologies; human factors and ergonomics; healthcare decision-making; psychology of thinking

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Collection "Revolutionizing Cognitive Rehabilitation: The Role of Digital Technologies" aims to delve into the growing impact of digital technologies in reshaping the landscape of cognitive rehabilitation. With advances in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and other digital tools, cognitive rehabilitation programs are increasingly incorporating innovative solutions to enhance recovery, adaptability, and quality of life for individuals with cognitive impairments resulting from conditions such as brain injuries, stroke, neurodegenerative disorders, or developmental challenges. This Special Collection will provide a platform for interdisciplinary contributions from fields including neuroscience, psychology, rehabilitation sciences, computer science, and health technology. It seeks to feature empirical studies, systematic reviews, case studies, and conceptual frameworks addressing the following topics: the development and evaluation of digital tools and platforms for cognitive rehabilitation; the application of virtual reality, augmented reality, and gamification in enhancing cognitive functions; artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches in personalizing cognitive rehabilitation interventions; the integration of wearable devices, mobile applications, and sensor-based systems for real-time feedback and progress tracking; the challenges of ensuring accessibility, usability, and cultural inclusivity in cognitive rehabilitation technologies; comparisons of digital and traditional rehabilitation methods in terms of efficacy, scalability, and cost-effectiveness; and the role of digital technologies in supporting cognitive training and rehabilitation in remote and underserved settings. 

Dr. Barbara Caci
Guest Editor

Dr. Margherita Dahò
Guest Editor Assistant

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare 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 2700 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

  • cognitive rehabilitation
  • cognition
  • digital technologies
  • virtual reality
  • artificial intelligence
  • feasibility
  • usability
  • acceptability

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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23 pages, 1318 KB  
Article
An Immersive Virtual Reality Room to Enhance Positive Affect and Engagement in Nursing Home Residents with Neurocognitive and Psychological Disorders: A Feasibility Study
by Malgorzata Klass, Frédérick Dandler, Yaëlle Ducommun, Michel Hanset, Laurence Ruscart, Jean-Christophe Bier, Sandra De Breucker and Jennifer Foucart
Healthcare 2026, 14(5), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14050588 - 26 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1132
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Older adults with neurocognitive and psychological disorders are often institutionalized in nursing homes, which negatively affects well-being and mood, and may accelerate cognitive decline. Immersive virtual reality (VR) is a promising non-pharmacological countermeasure, but VR-headset discomfort limits its usability in this [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Older adults with neurocognitive and psychological disorders are often institutionalized in nursing homes, which negatively affects well-being and mood, and may accelerate cognitive decline. Immersive virtual reality (VR) is a promising non-pharmacological countermeasure, but VR-headset discomfort limits its usability in this population. Therefore, this study examined the tolerability and feasibility of an immersive VR room, which provides customizable interactive environments projected across four walls at 360° and enables shared experiences, to enhance positive affect and engagement in nursing home residents. Methods: Twenty nursing home residents were initially enrolled, and nineteen completed five 10 min sessions in the immersive VR room accompanied by a caregiver. State positive and negative effects were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Observed Emotion Rating Scale (OERS), and participants’ verbal feedback was collected during and after the sessions. Results: VAS scores indicated that VR room immersion was feasible and well-tolerated, with most participants feeling secure and experiencing increased positive affect during and just after the sessions. OERS scores and observations revealed frequent expressions of pleasure, interest, and active engagement with both the VR environments and the caregiver. Participants’ reports valued the enjoyable and relaxing experience provided by immersion in the VR room, noting the realism and aesthetics of the environments and nature-related elements, which allowed them to travel virtually and evoke personal memories. Conclusions: Immersive VR room sessions were well tolerated, enhanced positive affect, and may support cognitive functioning by fostering active engagement and social interaction. Given that this is a feasibility study with a small cohort and short follow-up, the present findings should be considered preliminary and confirmed in larger, controlled, longer-term studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Revolutionizing Cognitive Rehabilitation: The Role of Digital Technologies)
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28 pages, 2025 KB  
Systematic Review
Effects of Digital Cognitive Rehabilitation on Functional Performance After Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of ADL and IADL Outcomes
by Jae Hun Jung
Healthcare 2026, 14(15), 2355; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14152355 - 2 Aug 2026
Viewed by 266
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Digital cognitive rehabilitation (DCR) is increasingly used for post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation, but its effects on functional performance remain insufficiently synthesized. This review examined the effects of DCR on activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) after stroke. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Digital cognitive rehabilitation (DCR) is increasingly used for post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation, but its effects on functional performance remain insufficiently synthesized. This review examined the effects of DCR on activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) after stroke. Methods: This review followed the PRISMA 2020 statement and was registered in PROSPERO. Five bibliographic databases and Google Scholar were searched for randomized controlled trials published between 2010 and 2025. Methodological quality, risk of bias, and certainty of evidence were assessed using the PEDro scale, Cochrane RoB 2 tool, and GRADE framework. Effect sizes were calculated as Hedges’ g and pooled using random-effects models. Results: Eighteen RCTs were included in the systematic review. No included study directly assessed functional cognition. PEDro scores ranged from 4 to 8, and most studies were rated as having “some concerns” for overall risk of bias. DCR showed statistically significant moderate effects on ADL performance (k = 12, N = 503; Hedges’ g = 0.463, 95% CI = 0.241–0.684, p < 0.001; I2 = 36.73%) and IADL performance (k = 4, N = 186; Hedges’ g = 0.580, 95% CI = 0.248–0.912, p = 0.001; I2 = 23.49%). No statistically significant subgroup differences or meta-regression associations were detected for ADL outcomes, but these exploratory analyses were limited by the small number of studies. The certainty of evidence was moderate for ADL outcomes and low for IADL outcomes. Conclusions: DCR may improve ADL performance after stroke. IADL effects were also significant, but the evidence for IADL outcomes remains limited. Prediction intervals for both outcomes indicated uncertainty about the effects that may be observed in future trials. Because no included study directly assessed functional cognition, these findings should be interpreted as evidence on ADL and IADL functional performance outcomes, not as direct evidence of effects on functional cognition. Clinical application should consider methodological limitations, risk-of-bias concerns, and certainty of evidence. Future RCTs should include validated performance-based measures of functional cognition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Revolutionizing Cognitive Rehabilitation: The Role of Digital Technologies)
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26 pages, 586 KB  
Systematic Review
Efficacy of Technology-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation Tools for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Non-CNS Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review
by Benedetta Capetti, Serena Sdinami, Jenny Luisi, Lorenzo Conti, Roberto Grasso and Gabriella Pravettoni
Healthcare 2026, 14(2), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020239 - 18 Jan 2026
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1527
Abstract
Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a significant concern for individuals with non-central nervous system (non-CNS) cancers, affecting memory, attention, executive functions, and processing speed. Non-pharmacological interventions, including digital cognitive rehabilitation, have shown promise in addressing CRCI. This systematic review investigates the [...] Read more.
Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a significant concern for individuals with non-central nervous system (non-CNS) cancers, affecting memory, attention, executive functions, and processing speed. Non-pharmacological interventions, including digital cognitive rehabilitation, have shown promise in addressing CRCI. This systematic review investigates the efficacy of digital and computerized cognitive rehabilitation interventions in improving cognitive outcomes in non-CNS cancer patients. Method: A systematic search of the EMBASE, Scopus, and PubMed databases was conducted to identify studies on digital and computerized cognitive rehabilitation for non-CNS cancer patients. Studies were included if they involved computerized and digital cognitive rehabilitation for oncological patients and assessed the efficacy of the intervention. A total of 11 studies were selected, including randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Data was synthesized using a narrative descriptive approach, and the results were summarized in a descriptive table. Results: The most frequently assessed cognitive domains included working memory, attention, executive functions, and processing speed. The majority of studies (n = 11) demonstrated significant immediate improvements in cognitive functions, particularly in working memory, executive functions, attention, and processing speed. Short-term follow-up (1–5 months) showed partial maintenance of these improvements, while long-term effects (6 months to 1 year) were more variable. Improvements in episodic memory were less consistent, particularly among breast cancer survivors. Discussion: Digital and computerized cognitive rehabilitation appears to be an effective intervention for CRCI, providing immediate cognitive benefits and some lasting improvements, especially in domains such as memory and attention. However, long-term effects remain variable, and further research is needed to explore the optimal duration of interventions and the potential advantages of personalized rehabilitation approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Revolutionizing Cognitive Rehabilitation: The Role of Digital Technologies)
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26 pages, 786 KB  
Systematic Review
From Social Robotics to Ecological Cognitive Care: An Enaction-Based Umbrella Review on Neurocognitive Disorders
by Giuseppe Romeo, Daniela Conti and Santo F. Di Nuovo
Healthcare 2026, 14(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14010066 - 26 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1271
Abstract
Background: As ageing populations grow, the prevalence of dementia and pre-dementia conditions is rising. Emerging approaches to neurorehabilitation emphasize not only performance-based outcomes but also holistic, experiential, and person-centred aspects of care. The extended mind thesis further highlights the potential role of external [...] Read more.
Background: As ageing populations grow, the prevalence of dementia and pre-dementia conditions is rising. Emerging approaches to neurorehabilitation emphasize not only performance-based outcomes but also holistic, experiential, and person-centred aspects of care. The extended mind thesis further highlights the potential role of external tools in supporting impaired cognitive functions. Within this ecological and experiential perspective, Social Assistive Robotics (SAR) may offer a multidimensional approach to address cognitive, emotional, and social needs in neurocognitive disorders. Objective: To synthesize current evidence on the effects of robotic interventions within an enactive framework integrating mind, body, environment, and technology. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Ovid Medline, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Springer, Wiley, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and the Cochrane Library. Due to heterogeneity among included studies, an umbrella review was performed using vote-counting by direction of effect as a non-quantitative synthesis method. Methodological rigour followed JBI and Cochrane guidelines. Results: Sixteen reviews were included. The strongest and most consistent benefits emerged for affective outcomes, particularly emotional response and social interaction p = 0.007 (two-sided). Conversely, outcomes related to cognition, anxiety, agitation, depression, and quality of life showed mixed or non-significant effects, while neuropsychiatric symptoms demonstrated no benefit. Conclusions: Discrepancies across reviews seem driven by methodological limitations in primary studies, limiting interpretability. The strength of this umbrella review lies in identifying systematic gaps that can guide future research. With stronger evidence, integrating SAR into experiential neurorehabilitation may offer a promising avenue for holistic, ecologically grounded care that extends beyond traditional task-based performance. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD420251165419. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Revolutionizing Cognitive Rehabilitation: The Role of Digital Technologies)
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17 pages, 328 KB  
Perspective
Clinical Decision Support Systems and Artificial Intelligence in ADHD Assessment and Rehabilitation: Opportunities and Challenges for Technology-Assisted Care
by Margherita Dahò and Barbara Caci
Healthcare 2025, 13(23), 3171; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13233171 - 4 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2267
Abstract
Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition affecting children, adolescents, and adults worldwide. Despite evidence-based treatments, long-term functional outcomes remain variable due to heterogeneity in symptoms, comorbidities, and environmental contexts. Digital technologies, including AI-augmented digital Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSSs), [...] Read more.
Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition affecting children, adolescents, and adults worldwide. Despite evidence-based treatments, long-term functional outcomes remain variable due to heterogeneity in symptoms, comorbidities, and environmental contexts. Digital technologies, including AI-augmented digital Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSSs), are increasingly proposed to support more precise and personalized ADHD care. This concept paper provides a theoretical discussion of the potential applications of CDSSs in ADHD rehabilitation and examines key considerations for system design, usability, and ethical implementation. Discussion: CDSSs and AI technologies offer conceptual promise for enhancing ADHD care by integrating patient-specific data to guide diagnosis, intervention planning, monitoring, and outcome prediction. Incorporating Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) principles is critical to ensure systems are intuitive, engaging, and supportive of adherence, particularly for children and adolescents with ADHD. Ethical, practical, and implementation challenges, including data privacy, equity, and variability in healthcare infrastructures, must be addressed. Thoughtful design and governance of AI-supported CDSSs may improve decision-making, optimize functional outcomes, and facilitate more individualized rehabilitation pathways. Conclusions: The paper concludes by emphasizing future research directions that may include translating conceptual frameworks into empirically testable models, developing guidelines for user-centered and ethically responsible technology deployment, and evaluating long-term impacts on clinical outcomes. By providing a theoretical foundation, this paper aims to guide the integration of AI-augmented CDSSs into technology-assisted ADHD rehabilitation while highlighting the importance of ethical, practical, and human-centered design considerations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Revolutionizing Cognitive Rehabilitation: The Role of Digital Technologies)
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