Advancing Therapeutic Extended Reality for Children With Rare Diseases: Adaptive, Intelligent, and Multi-Modal Approaches

Children suffering from rare diseases, such as pediatric cancer, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), and sickle cell disease, face multifaceted challenges that severely compromise both their physical and psychological well-being. Traditional management strategies often address physical symptoms using opioid-based analgesics, but these approaches bring significant risks, including addiction and adverse side effects. While contemporary research has explored the use of Extended Reality (XR) platforms to manage pain and distress, these interventions frequently adopt a standardized, non-individualized approach. As a result, their long-term therapeutic potential remains constrained, particularly in complex pediatric populations where emotional and social dimensions are deeply intertwined with physical health. Recent studies show that digital health interventions can alleviate certain symptoms, but there remains a critical need for solutions that adapt to the dynamic, highly individual needs of each patient.This Research Topic aims to advance the field by focusing on the development of intelligent, adaptive, and immersive therapeutic XR experiences for children with rare diseases. The central objective is to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create tailored interventions that respond dynamically to real-time physiological and emotional states. By leveraging AI-driven data analytics and multi-modal design elements—such as haptic feedback—this approach seeks not only to distract, but to actively improve the cognitive, emotional, and social facets of a child’s quality of life. The research seeks to answer pressing questions around how adaptive XR tools can more effectively address the evolving needs of pediatric patients, and how these interventions may facilitate holistic, sustained improvements as opposed to temporary relief.Focusing on the intersection of XR, AI, and multi-modal design, this Research Topic welcomes contributions that expand our understanding of how to improve pediatric patient outcomes. Submissions should center on the development, evaluation, and implementation of adaptive XR tools that incorporate personalization and sensory engagement. Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:- AI-driven adaptive XR systems for symptom management- Integration of multi-modal feedback (e.g., haptics) to enhance therapeutic experiences- User-centered co-design involving pediatric patients and caregivers- Clinical integration and real-world adoption challenges- Ethical considerations and frameworks for vulnerable populations- Cost-effectiveness and health policy implications- Comparative studies of traditional and XR-based interventionsWe encourage a variety of article types, including original research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and case studies, to advance this important interdisciplinary field. Topic editors: Lei Zhang, Shakiba Davari, Chao Mei, M Rasel Mahmud Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76588/advancing-therapeutic-extended-reality-for-children-with-rare-diseases-adaptive-intelligent-and-multi-modal-approaches