Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41993040›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in digital health2026

Identifying needs in adult rehabilitation to support the clinical implementation of robotics and allied technologies: an Italian national survey.

Irene Giovanna Aprile, Alessio Fasano, Marco Germanotta, Maria Cristina Mauro, Monia Andrea Papa, Giovanna Nicora, Leopoldo Trieste, Giuseppe Turchetti, Elena Beani, Giuseppina Sgandurra and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in digital health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Irene Giovanna AprileIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ETS, Florence, Italy.
Alessio FasanoIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ETS, Florence, Italy.
Marco GermanottaIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ETS, Florence, Italy.
Maria Cristina MauroIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ETS, Florence, Italy.
Monia Andrea PapaIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ETS, Florence, Italy.
Giovanna NicoraDepartment of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Leopoldo TriesteInstitute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
Giuseppe TurchettiInstitute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
Elena BeaniDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Giuseppina SgandurraDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Silvana QuagliniDepartment of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Cristina MessaIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ETS, Milan, Italy.
Mission 1 Fit4MedRob Consortium

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Robotics and technological interventions are increasingly being explored as solutions to improve rehabilitation outcomes but their implementation in clinical practice remains very limited. Understanding patient needs is crucial for effective integration of these technologies, ensuring they align with and address the actual requirements of individuals in clinical settings. The primary aim of this study is to explore the rehabilitation needs of adults with motor, sensory, and/or cognitive disabilities in order to more effectively guide the practice of technological and robotic interventions in clinical setting. Methods: To this end, as part of the Fit for Medical Robotics Initiative, we conducted a survey targeting adult patients recruited from clinical centers participating in the Initiative. It aimed to provide a clear understanding of the patients' rehabilitation priorities, as well as perceived efficacy and satisfaction levels about the robotic and the traditional rehabilitation, in order to better address trials on the use of robots and technologies in individuals with disabilities considering a patient-centered perspective. The survey was structured on the basis of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health framework. Results: There were 424 respondents representing a range of conditions, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders, and other motor and cognitive impairments. Notably, 86% of respondents reported undergoing traditional rehabilitation, while 39% had experienced (also) robotic interventions, highlighting limited accessibility to advanced rehabilitation technologies. Additionally, respondents expressed a significant need for multidomain rehabilitation, with movement being the most prioritized domain. The degree of satisfaction was higher among respondents receiving technological interventions, particularly in addressing mobility. Furthermore, a substantial proportion of respondents indicated a strong need for receiving home-based care. Discussion: The patient needs identified through the survey were fundamental for designing pragmatic clinical trials, whose results will help shape the rehabilitation offer using new and innovative models.

Indexed as

healthcare servicesICFpatients' needsrehabilitationroboticssurvey

Identifiers

PMID41993040
PMCPMC13081780

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.