On July 16, 2025, the mini-symposium Digital Biomarkers in Motor Rehabilitation was held in Copenhagen as part of the 47th International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC). The event featured the active participation of researchers Florencia Garro and Marianna Semprini from the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), affiliated with Spoke 2 of RAISE, and was attended by over 100 participants.
The symposium focused on one of the most current and promising topics in the field of clinical rehabilitation: the integration of digital biomarkers into assessment and therapeutic processes. These tools, based on physiological and behavioral data collected in real-time through digital devices, offer significant potential to enhance the accuracy of clinical evaluations and optimize personalized rehabilitation pathways.
During their presentation, the researchers shared preliminary findings from an international survey conducted among rehabilitation professionals. The study aimed to explore awareness, usage, and perceived barriers to the adoption of digital biomarkers and clinimetric tools—standardized instruments used to assess functional performance and guide therapeutic decisions. The results revealed considerable heterogeneity in the adoption of such tools, both in terms of definition and practical application, highlighting the need for greater methodological standardization and validation.
The goal of the mini-symposium was to foster interdisciplinary dialogue among biomedical engineers, clinicians, and researchers. Discussions focused on the opportunities offered by digital biomarkers to improve rehabilitation processes, as well as on ongoing challenges, such as the lack of interoperability among tools, integration difficulties in clinical settings, and the need for specialized training for healthcare professionals.
The participation of Spoke 2 of RAISE in an international event of such prominence as EMBC 2025 represented a valuable opportunity for visibility and exchange, reinforcing the consortium’s commitment to promoting advanced technological solutions for health and quality of life.
The contribution of the IIT researchers aligned perfectly with the central theme of the conference, Engineering Medicine, Innovating Healthcare, which emphasized the convergence of clinical practice, technological innovation, and artificial intelligence.
Through initiatives like this, RAISE continues to enhance the synergy between scientific research and clinical application, actively contributing to the development of integrated approaches in motor rehabilitation and to the advancement of biomedical technologies aimed at improving people’s well-being.
