Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Research Innovation Institute

Please save the date for Wednesday, January 29 (at 1:30 PM CEST) as we will be launching our inaugural episode of the Abductive Reasoning webinar series presented by VBRRII. Our Scientific Director, Dr. Franco Molteni, will lead a conversation on human intention and movement with the renowned neuroscientist, Professor Cristina Becchio. Here is the link for you to participate: https://lnkd.in/dqzKvdCk ✔️ Professor Becchio’s research at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf challenges the traditional separation between thought and movement, demonstrating that cognitive processes are encoded in movement patterns. Using motion capture technology, her laboratory analyzes movement variations to decode mental states and decision-making processes. ✔️ The research shows healthy individuals can plan movements up to four orders ahead and reveals how movement analysis can assess rehabilitation progress through individual “kinematic fingerprints”. ✔️ On January 29, we will explore the important implications of these findings for Rehabilitation Medicine, particularly in relation to patients with neurological impairments. We look forward to your participation! #VBRRII #AbductiveReasoning #AbductiveReasoningbyVBRRII #humanintention #RehabilitationMedicine

The first post of this year is dedicated to an original scientific study conducted by Italian researchers and titled "Neuroethology of natural actions in freely moving monkeys". This research, which lasted eight years, aimed to compare the neuronal activity of premotor neurons in macaques across two different contexts: a Restrained Context (RC), in which the animals performed repetitive actions while seated with their heads fixed, and a Freely Moving Context (FMC), where the animals were free to explore their environment and interact with objects. ✔️ The study demonstrated that in a Freely Moving Context, there is improved cortical modulation of muscle synergies. While the same synergies can be observed in a restrained context, the reverse is not true. This indicates that cortical activation varies depending on the context in which the activities are performed, prompting us to consider significant implications for rehabilitation. ✔️ In a Freely Moving Context, neurons modulate a much wider range of actions, demonstrating greater flexibility compared to what is achieved in a Restrained Context. Therefore, to optimize neurorehabilitation training, it is important to perform exercises in the most flexible contexts possible, allowing the intention of movement to manifest based on the patient’s overall functional condition. ✔️ If we consider a post-stroke patient with significant walking impairments, rehabilitation using a wearable exoskeleton that facilitates overground training in a large, open, space will have a different impact on cortical reorganization compared to training conducted with a robot that allows walking on a treadmill. This is also true when compared to training in a restricted space, which is supported directly by a physiotherapist using a walker, quadripod, or cane. ✔️ Regarding the rehabilitation of the upper limbs, exercises that utilize movement-supporting robotics that are not confined to a fixed or seated posture are preferable for regaining the motor control necessary to perform complex natural upper limb tasks. ✔️ This means that when conducting clinical trials, we must consider not only the duration of the treatment and/or the number of movements during the training session, but also the context in which the training is performed. ✔️ Finally, here’s a question for you to answer in the comments: Can a patient’s home be considered a more flexible environment compared to a traditional rehabilitation gym? #NeuroRehabilitation #RehabilitationMedicine #CorticalReorganization

A few days ago, a long-term partnership was established between the Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Research Innovation Institute and the Politecnico di Milano, with an initial funding of 5 million euros. Starting January 1st, a collaboration will begin in the med-tech field within a shared space at the Lecco Campus of the prestigious Milanese university. Meanwhile, construction will begin on a new building that, by the end of 2027, will offer 1,000 square meters dedicated entirely to joint research in the fields of Rehabilitation Medicine and technology. What is the significance of this agreement? Our Scientific Director, Dr. Franco Molteni, explains it to us. ✔️ This partnership holds significant scientific value, as it establishes a foundation for a new model of development in Rehabilitation Medicine research. The decision to integrate diverse knowledge - both biological and technological - alongside high-level partners fosters new development pathways and paves the way for international collaborations. ✔️ Sciences such as medicine, bioengineering, biomechanics, electronic and sports engineering, and materials science are becoming the foundation for future research, with a strong emphasis on individual human functioning. The interdisciplinary med-tech approach is essential for Rehabilitation Medicine to be structured as a Network Systems Medicine: biology is technology. ✔️ In conclusion, the collaboration between non-profit organizations and public institutions, such as the Politecnico di Milano, has once again proven to be effective in enhancing research aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals. #VBRRII #NewPartnership #MedTech #RehabilitationMedicine #ScientificResearch

Last week, our institute hosted Rehabilitation Medicine Research and Innovation: Science, Healthcare Industry, Philanthropy (SHIP) - The Alliance. The event consisted of two days of scientific discussions, bringing together neuroscientists, physicians, bioengineers, and managers from around the globe, including different countries from Europe, North America and the Middle East. ✔️ The first day was dedicated to clinical practice, featuring workshops that covered fundamental topics such as movement analysis, robotic treatment of the upper and lower limbs, neuromodulation, and the use of ultrasound for optimizing robotic and pharmacological interventions. ✔️ The second day of the event, organized with the support of Fondazione Cariplo, particularly highlighted the role of philanthropy as a catalyst for ongoing high-level scientific research aimed at developing technologies that benefit individuals and the community. ✔️ Alongside our Scientific Director, Dr. Franco Molteni, we distilled the 10 most significant insights that emerged from all these discussions. 1. Rehabilitation Medicine is evolving into a complex science that relies heavily on technology. Both rehabilitation medicine and the technology sector possess significant potential for future development. It is essential for researchers and innovators to collaborate, aiming to transform technological advancements into services and new care options for individuals. To continue reading, please click on the following link: https://bit.ly/41l2uiP #NeuroRehabilitation #NeuroScience #RehabilitationMedicine

With this interview featuring Cristina Becchio, Professor of Neuroscience at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, the newly launched website of the Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Research Innovation Institute makes its debut. ✔️ This site aims to become a collaborative platform for clinicians and bioengineers, providing a space to discuss the latest advancements in Rehabilitation Medicine with leading experts from around the world. ✔️ In this interview, Professor Becchio, a member of our institute’s Scientific Committee, shares insights on how her laboratory has decoded the kinematic code and how her research can enhance our understanding of brain disorders and improve rehabilitative care. #RehabilitationMedicine #Neuroscience https://lnkd.in/eKJ9gmqw

"Sport & Technology: Digital at the Service of a New Tele-Rehabilitation” was the title of the panel that took place today at the Social Football Summit, at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. Here are some highlights from the meeting, which was moderated by journalist Massimo Caputi and included ANTONIO AMATI, General Director of the IT Division at AlmavivA S.p.A and Paolo Guidelli, the Central Director of Digital Organization at INAIL, Istituto Nazionale Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro. ✔️ Dr. Franco Molteni undertook the task of examining the topic from a scientific perspective: “Telerehabilitation has been around for some time, but today it is experiencing a monumental transformation due to technological advancements, particularly sensor systems that monitor individuals in their environments 24 hours a day, continuously capturing data from the body" our Scientific Director explained. "Although we doctors are at a distance, it feels as if we are right there". ✔️ What is the connection between neuro-rehabilitation and professional sports? "Neurological patients are akin to athletes training to return to peak performance" Dr. Molteni continued. "To achieve this, mental engagement is crucial, which encompasses concentration, the ability to relearn, and movement planning. These are all skills we can develop  with technology, which should not be viewed as cold devices but rather as allies with whom we must establish synergy”. ✔️ At that point, the focus shifted to Ambra Sabatini, the gold medalist in the T63 100 meters at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Months ago, she began a process of monitoring her biological parameters at Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Research Innovation Institute. “When I entered the institute, a whole new world opened up for me. I had no idea that neurorehabilitation offered so many insights for improving performance. This is what I want to focus on as I prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Games, thanks to a fantastic team that supports me”. #VBRRII #innovation #digitaltransformation

On Sunday, November 17, at 1 PM, Dr. Franco Molteni will be a guest at Il Tempo della Salute, the annual event hosted by Corriere della Sera, dedicated to health and wellness. ✔️ The theme of the talk featuring our Scientific Director is Fyborg and Cyborg: Machines that Translate Brain Signals into Movement. ✔️ Along with his colleague, Prof. Pietro Mortini, the Director of the Unit of Neurosurgery and Stereotactic Radiosurgery at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, and moderated by journalist Ruggiero Corcella, they will discuss exoskeletons, spinal neurostimulators, and brain implants, exploring how these devices are revolutionizing neurorehabilitation for individuals with Central Nervous System lesions. ✔️ The event will take place in Sala Donzelli of Palazzo Giureconsulti (Piazza dei Mercanti 2) in Milan at 1 PM. We look forward to seeing you there! #VBRRII #NeuroRehabilitation #Robotics

On World Stroke Day, we spoke with Dr. Alessandro Specchia, a PM&R physician and coordinator of the Outpatient Clinic at Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Centre. The conversation centered on REHYB Horizon 2020 EU Project, a recently concluded research project that spanned four years and involved multiple European clinical and technical partners. ✔️ The project’s full name was “Rehabilitation based on hybrid neuroprostesis: evaluation of the feasibility, functionality and usability of the system in a post-stroke patient population” and its goal was to assess the feasibility and, to some extent, the effectiveness of rehabilitative treatment for upper limb impairment in patients recovering from a stroke. ✔️ The project had its own unique characteristics. Patients were introduced to a prototype hybrid exoskeleton that seamlessly and synchronously integrated a multimodal approach to upper limb treatment. This innovative device combined a motorized or spring-loaded exoskeleton to enhance upper limb movement, the activation of upper limb muscles through functional electrical stimulation, and a virtual reality training environment that simulates upper limb movements involved in activities of daily living. ✔️ Although the study primarily focused on the feasibility of the proposed treatment and the prototype platform, the integration of the different devices and software produced promising results regarding effectiveness. Specifically, the ability to combine electrical stimulation with a physiological and natural position of the upper limb led to improved treatment outcomes. It is important to emphasize that the application of artificial intelligence in integrating the different hardware and software components was crucial for enhancing the physiological activation and movement of the upper limb. ✔️ It was also observed that there was an improvement in the performance of the non-affected limb, which is known from the literature to be impaired due to probable involvement of interhemispheric pathways during complex movements and activities. These results give hope for the potential recovery of function in both upper limbs of post-stroke patients. #WorldStrokeDay2024 #stroke #neurorehabilitation

We are pleased to announce that on November 28 and 29, a conference titled “Science, Healthcare Industry, Philanthropy (SHIP) - The Alliance” will be held at the Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Research Innovation Institute and at the Lecco Campus of the Politecnico di Milano, respectively. Please find the program details below. ✔️ The first day, Thursday, November 28, at the newly renovated headquarters of our research and innovation institute, will be dedicated to physiatrists, residents, bioengineers, and physiotherapists. The focus will be on innovation in clinical practice, featuring a series of thematic workshops that will begin with clinical cases and aim to identify rehabilitative strategies that integrate precision robotic technologies, neuromodulation, virtual reality, and augmented reality. Participation in this working day entitles you to receive 8 ECM credits. Please note that spaces are limited. To register, kindly send an email to segreteria@vbrrii.it. This event will take place with the patronage of Simfer - Società italiana di Medicina fisica e riabilitativa, #Fit4MedRob and SIRN - Società Italiana di Riabilitazione Neurologica. ✔️ The second day, Friday, November 29, will be held at the Lecco Campus of Politecnico di Milano. The program will focus on the collaboration between philanthropic foundations and scientific research, as well as the partnership between the medical and pharmaceutical industries and universities, with the goal of collaboratively shaping the future of Rehabilitation Medicine. This event will take place thanks to the support of Fondazione Cariplo and with the patronage of Simfer - Società italiana di Medicina fisica e riabilitativa, #Fit4MedRob and SIRN - Società Italiana di Riabilitazione Neurologica. Participation in this working day will also grant you 2.1 ECM credits. This event will be open to everyone, with no restrictions on attendance. #VBRRII #education #neurorehabilitation #MedicalRobotics

A delegation from the Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Research Innovation Institute has just returned from the 52nd National Congress of Simfer - Società italiana di Medicina fisica e riabilitativa. Dr. Silvia Girola, PM&R Specialist, presented a report on cognitive functions in patients with spinal cord injury. Here's a quick recap. ✔️ The acquisition of new skills by these patients can be significantly more complicated when cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and abstract reasoning are impaired, along with emotional dysfunctions like stress, anxiety, depression, and difficulties in body perception. How do these cognitive deficits evolve following specific training? Could this represent a new frontier in rehabilitative care? ✔️ The study involved 35 patients with spinal cord injury, with an average age of 49.5 years and an average duration of 28.2 between the initial injury and neuropsychological assessment. Amon these patients, 8 had a complete injury, while 27 had an incomplete injury. The subjects exhibited isolated attentional deficits, which may be attributed to pre-existing attentional deficiencies, hospitalization - often associated with reduced cognitive stimuli—and the extensive use of medications that directly affect the Central Nervous System. ✔️ All participants demonstrated a positive response to cognitive training. Finally, preliminary data on the state of “flow” were presented, suggesting that the transition from one rehabilitative step to the next is generally well accepted by patients and characterized by a strong sense of self-awareness within the challenging condition proposed. #SpinalCordInjury #NeuroRehabilitation #ScientificResearch #VBRRII