500 Section - Assessing rehabilitation priorities in adults with disability to facilitate the clinical adoption of robotic and digital technologies: results from the FIT4MEDROB Italian survey

Despite the increasing availability of robotic and digital solutions for rehabilitation, their adoption in clinical practice remains limited. Promoting user-centered design is essential to ensure that technological interventions align with real-world clinical needs and patient expectations. Patients’ perspectives are particularly important for informing pragmatic clinical trials and effective implementation strategies. This study aimed to characterize the rehabilitation priorities of adults with motor, sensory, and/or cognitive impairments to support the development and integration of robotic and digital technologies within adult rehabilitation services.

Design:

Within the framework of the Fit for Medical Robotics (Fit4MedRob) Initiative, a cross-sectional survey was administered to adult patients recruited from rehabilitation centers across Italy. The survey assessed perceived rehabilitation priorities, experiences with conventional and robotic therapies, and satisfaction with received interventions. The questionnaire was developed according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework, allowing the evaluation of functioning, activity limitations, and participation restrictions from a comprehensive perspective.

Results:

424 respondents were included, comprising individuals with stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders, and other neurological or cognitive conditions. Most participants (86%) had received conventional rehabilitation, whereas only 39% had undergone robotic-assisted interventions. Participants emphasized the need for multidimensional rehabilitation, with motor function identified as the highest priority. Satisfaction levels were higher among those receiving technology-assisted therapies, particularly regarding mobility outcomes. Additionally, many respondents reported a strong need for home-based rehabilitation services.

Conclusion:

The limited access to robotic interventions and the expressed demand for multidimensional and home-based rehabilitation indicate that rehabilitation needs remain partially unmet. Patients prioritized multidomain rehabilitation pathways, with motor recovery as the primary focus, and expressed a demand for technology-supported home-based rehabilitation. These nationally derived patient-reported needs provide a foundation for the design of pragmatic clinical trials and the development of innovative, patient-centered rehabilitation models integrating advanced technologies.