Immersive, Intelligent, and Interoperable Technologies in Rehabilitation: From Lab to Clinical Integration

The convergence of immersive, intelligent, and interoperable technologies is redefining rehabilitation and performance recovery across sport, medicine, and active living. Extended reality (XR), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and wearable sensing enable the continuous assessment and optimization of movement, from clinical recovery to return-to-play. Virtual and augmented environments deliver graded, motivational therapy; AI and motion analytics allow real-time feedback and adaptation; and interoperable data infrastructures support connected rehabilitation between clinics, training facilities, and homes. Although laboratory evidence strongly supports these innovations, translation into clinical and athletic settings remains limited. Technical integration, user adoption, and health-system alignment remain key hurdles to widespread implementation.Recent advances demonstrate how immersive and AI-driven systems can accelerate neuromotor learning, improve adherence, and provide quantitative movement measurement. Evidence shows promising applications in musculoskeletal, neurological, and post-surgical recovery, as well as in performance reconditioning and sport-specific retraining after injury. Still, gaps persist in interoperability frameworks, clinician and coach usability, data security, and cross-platform validation. To genuinely move these technologies from prototype to practice, interdisciplinary collaboration among engineers, sports scientists, clinicians, and human-factor experts is indispensable.This Research Topic aims to consolidate emerging evidence on immersive and intelligent rehabilitation technologies, with a particular focus on movement restoration, return to sport, and clinical–athletic integration. It seeks contributions that validate the effectiveness, usability, and scalability of XR-, AI-, and sensor-based systems in real-world practice. By uniting the perspectives of digital health, sports technology, and rehabilitation sciences, this initiative aims to strengthen the translational evidence base for technologies that restore and enhance human movement, autonomy, and lifelong activity.To gather further insights bridging laboratory innovation and applied rehabilitation, we welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Clinical and sport rehabilitation applications of XR, AI, and robotic systems• Integration of wearable and sensor technologies for recovery monitoring and performance reconditioning• Development and validation of digital biomarkers and motion-based outcome measures• User-centered design, accessibility, and training for clinicians, coaches, and athletes• Data interoperability, safety, and privacy frameworks for patient–athlete digital ecosystems• Implementation science and policy perspectives enabling digital rehabilitation in sports and healthcare settings• Ethical and regulatory implications of AI-driven interventions• Long-term, home- or field-based rehabilitation and return-to-activity programsArticle Types: Original Research, Clinical Trials, Systematic Reviews, Technology Reports, Case Studies, and Perspectives exploring translational and implementation of science aspects of digital rehabilitation. Topic editors: Luis Ceballos, Guna Semjonova, Albert Rizzo Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83415/immersive-intelligent-and-interoperable-technologies-in-rehabilitation-from-lab-to-clinical-integration