XRehab

XRehab is a Horizon Europe-funded project (GA no 101070192) under the CORTEX2 framework (Open Call #1, Track 2), aimed at designing, developing, and validating a virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation environment tailored to patients with neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders. The consortium is composed of two main partners: NEMO LAB, Italy's first technological center focused on neuromuscular pathologies, and Deep Reality, an innovative startup specializing in immersive VR/AR solutions powered by AI. The project addresses key limitations in traditional rehabilitation—such as the lack of personalization, reduced patient engagement, and restricted access to hospital-based services—by offering an immersive and adaptive XR solution. The main goals include:

1. Developing a scalable and user-friendly VR platform compatible with various devices and tailored to psycho-cognitive and motor capacities.
2. Creating immersive content that supports motor and cognitive rehabilitation through nature-based and task-oriented experiences.
3. Designing a robust clinical standardization protocol that includes quantitative and qualitative evaluation metrics.
4. Enabling remote usability and eventual integration into home care, reducing digital divides and fostering accessibility.

Two primary VR environments were developed:

• Nature-based scenarios, where users explore calming settings such as a coastal path, mountain trail, or a French town, guided by a virtual voice assistant in Italian or English.
• Activity-oriented simulations, featuring interactive challenges that evaluate range of motion and executive functions. Patients perform object-sorting tasks guided by visual cues and assessed by system-tracked metrics (completion time, errors, interaction performance).

A structured clinical protocol was designed to collect pre-, during-, and post-session data through standardized psychometric tools (e.g., ITC-SOPI, SUS, UEQ-S, STAI-1, SAM, VAS) and system- generated performance logs. This hybrid approach integrates subjective experiences with objective measurements, supporting scientific validation of the VR impact on emotional, cognitive, and physical engagement.

Internal alpha testing involved five professionals (clinicians, psychologists, developers) using Meta Quest 2 and 3 headsets. The tests confirmed the application’s usability and alignment with clinical standards. User satisfaction reached ~80%, and preliminary KPIs were achieved, including the successful implementation of five immersive scenarios. XRehab aspires to become a reference solution in XR-based rehabilitation, offering a transformative, inclusive, and scalable model for therapy and cognitive training. By bridging clinical expertise with innovative technologies, XRehab contributes to improving the quality of life for patients and caregivers, while aligning with CORTEX2’s vision of an open digital XR workplace.