Search Results (1,649)

This paper presents a bench-top occupational power-assist robot aimed at reducing biomechanical effort during repetitive material handling. The prototype adopts a SCARA-like structure with three degrees of freedom and provides assistance on the vertical (z) axis through a three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motor driven in field-oriented control with inner-loop current regulation. The user interacts with the robot through a single handle-mounted load cell. The measured interaction force is converted, via a calibration-based mapping, into a motor current reference that enforces a prescribed force-sharing ratio. In this way, the drive’s embedded current loop acts as the low-level torque regulator, and the system can share gravitational and inertial loads without additional environment force sensing or explicit high-level impedance/admittance dynamics. A coupled electro-mechanical model is derived and used to select the assistance gain and to verify feasibility in simulation. A pilot experimental campaign with eight participants and two payloads (0.5 kg and 1.5 kg) was carried out on sinusoidal and random tracking tasks. With assistance enabled, the operator contribution was reduced to about 15% of the total load, and the mean bicep brachii EMG amplitude decreased by about 60%, while tracking accuracy was generally preserved and often improved. Full article

Wafer map defect classification plays a critical role in yield monitoring and root-cause analysis in semiconductor manufacturing. Although recent convolutional neural network (CNN)-based approaches have achieved high classification accuracy, most existing models are evaluated primarily on clean datasets and remain vulnerable to unseen perturbations and representation-level variability at test time. In this paper, we propose a hybrid CNN–echo state network (ESN) architecture that integrates spatial feature extraction with sequential aggregation to enhance robustness under input perturbations. The CNN backbone extracts two-dimensional feature maps, which are converted into ordered sequences using a multidirectional scanline strategy and processed by an ESN reservoir. The resulting sequential representations are combined with CNN features through a class-specific adaptive fusion mechanism. Using the defect-only eight-class version of the WM-811K dataset, we systematically evaluate robustness under multiple perturbation scenarios, with particular focus on the clean train/noisy test (CT-NT) setting. To ensure a controlled robustness evaluation aligned with the binary nature of wafer map data, we introduce binary-consistent die-flip perturbations and additionally employ additive Gaussian perturbations as a representation-level stress test. Under clean-data conditions, the proposed model showed a 0.61 pp improvement in test accuracy compared to the ResNet34-based CNN, with notably larger gains for rare classes and defect types exhibiting strong structural patterns. In the clean train/noisy test scenario, where the model was trained on clean wafer map data and evaluated under controlled test-time perturbations, the accuracy of the CNN baseline dropped to 77.59% at $\sigma$ = 0.10, whereas the proposed hybrid model maintained an accuracy of 87.30%, resulting in an absolute improvement of 9.71 pp. Per-class analysis reveals that the robustness gain is class-dependent, with pronounced improvements for defect types exhibiting clear and repetitive structural patterns, such as Loc and Edge-Ring. Further mechanistic analysis demonstrates that the robustness improvement arises from enhanced representation stability and bounded reservoir dynamics, rather than from changes in CNN feature extraction or training regularization. These results demonstrate that the proposed CNN-ESN hybrid architecture provides meaningful advantages in terms of robustness under noisy evaluation conditions without requiring noise-aware training or prior knowledge of perturbation characteristics. Full article

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently leads to long-term neurological deficits. Recent research also implicates cellular senescence—a state of permanent cell cycle arrest driven by DNA damage—as a key contributor to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline. This study investigates the cell-type specificity of senescence within glial and vascular cells of the neurovascular unit (NVU) following experimental TBI in a rat model. Methods: Rats underwent various TBI scenarios, including single severe TBI (sTBI), single mild TBI (mTBI), repetitive mild TBI (rmTBI) and repetitive sham-operated control (rSham). Twenty-four hours or four weeks later, brains were harvested and brain sections were co-stained for γH2AX and cell type-specific markers. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to comprehensively assess senescence in both glial and vascular cells of the NVU, specifically astrocytes, microglia, endothelial cells, and pericytes. Results: We observed acute increased astrocyte senescence in sTBI samples and microglial senescence in mTBI and sTBI samples in the neocortex, while endothelial cell senescence was significantly elevated in the neocortex of the sTBI group after four weeks. Pericytes did not exhibit significant signs of senescence at either time point. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate differential γH2AX labelling of NVU components following TBI, suggesting that vulnerability to TBI-induced senescence can be specific both to the cell type and the time after the injury. This has implications on therapies targeting senescent cells for mitigating the long-term consequences of TBI. Full article

Background/Objectives: Liquid profiling of molecular and epigenetic markers in bodily fluids is an expanding field of cancer biomarker research. Recent research activity also reveals the human satellite 2 (HSAT2) repetitive element cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a potential cancer biomarker. Based on our recent results from targeted sequencing of HSAT2 cfDNA, we tested whether a specific HSAT2 sequence (e.g., 95 bp-HSAT2) shows greater cancer enrichment than 114 bp-SAT2, from which it derives, in patients with colon cancer. Methods: By comparing the ratio of 114 bp-HSAT2 to 95 bp-HSAT2, we investigated the increased cancer enrichment of 95 bp-HSAT2 in cfDNA samples obtained from plasma DNA extraction and a hybridization capture assay, in which HSAT2 sequences were captured from plasma using a biotin-labeled probe, in samples from colon cancer patients (n = 60) and polyp-controls (n = 60), and polyp-free controls (n = 60). Results: A correlation analysis between Ct values from DNA extraction and the hybridization capture assay for both 95 bp- and 114 bp-HSAT2 showed a positive correlation in patients with colon cancer and control subjects, indicating that the hybridization capture assay provides HSAT2 levels comparable to those obtained by DNA extraction. With both approaches, we found a lower 114 bp-HSAT2 to 95 bp-HSAT2 ratio in patients with colon cancer than in the control groups. The median ratio of extracted DNA was 62, 78, and 79 in patients with colon cancer, polyp-controls (p = 0.23), and polyp-free controls (p = 0.067), respectively. Capture assay values were 49, 87, and 64 in patients with colon cancer, polyp controls (p = 0.016), and polyp-free controls (p = 0.19), respectively. Even though statistical significance was not achieved in some comparisons, these results suggest that 95 bp-HSAT2 is more abundant in the blood of patients with colon cancer than 114 bp-HSAT2 in non-malignant patients. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to conduct a hybridization capture assay using a biotinylated probe as a feasible approach for targeted enrichment of cfDNA from plasma. Our results confirm the outcomes of our recent article based on targeted sequencing and reveal that some specific HSAT2 sequences may exhibit increased cancer abundance. Full article

Background: Placebo effects are well documented in Parkinson’s disease (PD) clinical trials and represent a major methodological challenge in interpreting neuromodulation studies. Although sham stimulation has been associated with clinical improvement, the magnitude, durability, and outcome specificity of placebo-related effects across non-invasive neuromodulation trials remain incompletely characterized. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD1272381). PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception through September 2025. Randomized, sham-controlled trials of non-invasive neuromodulation in adults with PD were included. Results: Seventeen randomized sham-controlled trials (n = 654 participants) involving repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation were included. Sham stimulation was associated with small but statistically significant improvements in UPDRS Part III (motor examination) at post-intervention and follow-up, whereas no significant placebo-related improvement was observed for UPDRS Total score. Placebo effects were modest and did not increase over time. In contrast, active neuromodulation produced larger and more durable improvements in both UPDRS Total and Part III, with statistically significant effects maintained at follow-up. Conclusions: Placebo effects contribute to short-term clinical improvement in non-invasive neuromodulation trials for PD, particularly for motor examination outcomes, but do not fully account for the sustained benefits observed with active stimulation. Placebo responsiveness is outcome- and time-dependent, underscoring the importance of rigorous trial design, including careful outcome selection, assessment timing, expectancy management, and comparator structures, to accurately estimate neuromodulation efficacy and support clinical translation. Full article

Down syndrome (DS) is associated with persistent language impairments that extend beyond early childhood, yet evidence from agglutinative languages remains limited. While morphosyntactic weaknesses have been well-documented in Indo-European languages, less is known about how such difficulties are manifested in Turkish, a language in which grammatical relations are primarily marked through morphology. In addition, short-term memory (STM) limitations, particularly in verbal domains, are characteristic of DS and may contribute to language outcomes. This study examined the interaction between morphosyntax and STM in Turkish-speaking children and adolescents with DS. A cross-sectional observational design was employed, including 12 monolingual Turkish-speaking participants with DS (aged 6;7–15;11) and 10 TD peers matched on nonverbal mental age. Participants completed standardized assessments of syntax and morphology, spontaneous language sampling, and STM tasks assessing verbal and visual memory. Children with DS performed significantly below controls on syntactic comprehension and production as well as morphological measures, with larger effects observed for syntax. Noun morphology was less accurate than verb morphology, likely reflecting increased morphophonological complexity. Regression analyses indicated that auditory digit span predicted sentence comprehension, whereas nonword repetition predicted morphological production indexed by mean length of utterance in morphemes. Substantial inter-individual variability was observed within the DS group. These findings suggest that morphosyntactic outcomes in Turkish-speaking children with DS are closely linked to verbal STM capacities and vary considerably across individuals, underscoring the importance of integrated assessment and individualized intervention planning. Future research with larger samples is warranted to confirm and extend these preliminary findings. Findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited sample size and are presented as preliminary descriptive evidence. This study provides initial data on Turkish-speaking individuals with Down syndrome. Full article

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and heightened anxiety. Despite extensive research, effective interventions targeting core symptoms remain limited. Gami-Guibitang (GBT), a traditional herbal formula, has been clinically prescribed for anxiety-related symptoms and cognitive complaints, yet its effects on ASD-associated behavioral and molecular abnormalities have not been fully elucidated. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the anxiolytic and neuroregulatory effects of GBT in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD mouse model, focusing on behavioral outcomes and hippocampal synaptic protein expression. Methods: Pregnant C57BL/6N mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of VPA (500 mg/kg) at embryonic day 12.5. Male offspring were administered GBT (150 mg/kg, p.o.) twice daily for 4 weeks from postnatal day 21 (PND 21). These mice were behaviorally evaluated by the open-field test, elevated plus maze, marble-burying test, Y-maze, three-chamber social interaction test, and Morris water maze. Western blot analysis was conducted to examine hippocampal expression of phosphorylated and total CREB and GluR1, PI3K/Akt signaling components, as well as GABRA1 and GABRB1. Results: VPA-exposed offspring exhibited increased anxiety-like behaviors, altered repetitive behaviors, dysregulated exploratory activity, and impaired spatial learning, and reduced spontaneous alternation performance in the Y-maze. GBT reduced anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze and marble burying tests, partially improved spatial learning acquisition in the Morris water maze, and normalized excessive locomotor activity, without significantly affecting short-term working memory performance. At the molecular level, GBT significantly attenuated VPA-induced hyperphosphorylation of CREB, GluR1, PI3K, and Akt, indicating suppression of aberrant synaptic signaling rather than global enhancement. In addition, GBT increased GABRA1 expression toward control levels and enhanced GABRB1 expression beyond baseline, suggesting selective modulation of GABAergic receptor subunit composition rather than simple normalization. Conclusions: These findings provide preclinical evidence that GBT alleviates anxiety-like behavior and modulates hippocampal synaptic signaling disrupted by prenatal VPA exposure. By attenuating aberrant excitatory signaling and selectively regulating GABAergic receptor balance, GBT may represent a multi-target herbal candidate for modulating ASD-associated emotional dysregulation and domain-specific cognitive dysfunction, rather than acting as a broad cognitive enhancer. Full article

This paper proposes a method to generate a low-noise 10.23 MHz time-frequency reference signal based on high-order harmonic locking of the repetition rate (f_r) of an optical frequency comb (OFC). An all-polarization-maintaining (PM) Erbium-doped fiber laser with a 122.76 MHz f_r is constructed using the nonlinear amplifying loop mirror (NALM) principle. By applying a feedback control to the intracavity piezoelectric actuator (PZT) and electro-optic modulator (EOM), the 10th harmonic of f_r is phase-locked to a high-performance rubidium atomic clock (Rb clock), achieving low-noise conversion from the Rb clock to the target signal. Experimental results show that the generated 10.23 MHz signal exhibits residual phase noise of −123.4 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz offset and −158 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset, and achieves a residual frequency stability of 3.52 × 10⁻¹³ @ 1 s and 3.65 × 10⁻¹⁵ @ 10,000 s. This harmonic locking scheme validates the advantages of photonic microwave generation in achieving ultra-low phase noise while preserving the long-term stability of atomic clocks, providing a strategic solution for next-generation BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) time-frequency payloads. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is accompanied by olfactory dysfunction, and few interventions target shared chemosensory–cognitive mechanisms. We retrospectively examined whether a 5-week oxygen–ozone major autohemotherapy (MAH) cycle is associated with coupled improvements in olfactory and cognitive performance in adults with MCI. Methods: We analyzed 81 individuals with MCI who completed 10 MAH sessions (twice weekly) and 93 matched healthy controls. In the MCI group, olfactory function was measured before and after MAH using Sniffin’ Sticks^® threshold–discrimination–identification (TDI) scores; global cognition was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). We evaluated between-group and pre–post changes and used Spearman correlations to assess olfactory–cognitive coupling. Results: At baseline, MCI participants showed lower TDI and MoCA scores than controls and more hyposmia/anosmia. Following MAH, the proportion of normosmic patients increased from 32.1% to 50.6%, with fewer anosmic cases. TDI scores improved but remained lower than in controls. MMSE scores were unchanged, whereas MoCA total scores increased, with domain-level gains and a significant improvement in Language Repetition. TDI gains were modestly correlated with MoCA total and selected domain changes. Conclusions: In this retrospective cohort, MAH was associated with partial restoration improvements of olfactory function and improved cognitive performance. Correlated olfactory–cognitive changes were observed within the treated MCI group; however, causal attribution to O₂–O₃ MAH cannot be established without randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trials with coupled olfactory–cognitive gains consistent with a shared, potentially modifiable substrate. Prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm efficacy and clinical utility. Full article

This study benchmarks three ROS 2 Navigation2 local controllers—Dynamic Window Approach Based (DWB), Regulated Pure Pursuit (RPP), and Model Predictive Path Integral (MPPI)—under three complementary operational stressors in simulation: (i) a structured corridor with a transient dynamic obstacle, (ii) a sloped environment where terrain inclination biases a planar 2D LiDAR costmap through spurious occupancy projections, and (iii) a narrow corridor that amplifies inflation effects. A reproducible rosbag2-based protocol records five key performance indicators per trial: time-to-goal, lateral tracking RMSE, stopped time, heading oscillations, and control effort. With 15 independent repetitions per cell (scene × controller × direction), the design yields 270 trials. The results expose complementary value profiles: RPP minimizes mission time, DWB produces the fewest heading oscillations through critic-based shaping, and MPPI achieves the lowest control effort via smooth trajectory generation. In the sloped scene, the tracking RMSE differences compress across all controllers—a signature of a perception-limited regime in which costmap bias overshadows controller logic. These findings translate into an actionable controller-selection guide and a reproducible baseline for quantifying gains from upstream perception and cost-representation improvements. In concrete terms, we contribute (i) a controlled benchmark with fixed planning, localization, and costmaps, (ii) full configuration disclosure (controller parameters, costmap settings, and software versions with package pinning), and (iii) a scene-specific costmap distortion index that links slope-induced local cost bias to measurable performance shifts, underpinning a decision matrix for controller selection in semi-structured environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Observational learning enables children to acquire new skills by observing others’ actions. Attention is widely recognized as a key supporting process and consists of multiple components that develop substantially during the early school years. Empirical evidence on the association between specific components of attention and observational learning remains limited. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between the main components of attention and observational learning among early primary school children. Methods: Sixty-eight children, aged 6–8, completed a computerized battery assessing the main components of attention (reaction times, simple and related to a choice; focused attention; short-term span of attention; divided and alternating attention) and an observational learning task where children observed an actor detecting a hidden spatial sequence and then reproduced it across detection phase (DP), exercise phase (EP), and automatization phase (AP). Correlational and regression analyses were conducted, controlling for age and gender. Results: Visual and visual–spatial focused attention emerged as significant predictors of performance during DP and EP, with higher levels of focused attention associated with fewer errors and repetitions. Choice reaction time showed phase-specific associations with error rates during early learning phases, whereas age was primarily related to performance during the AP. Conclusions: Observational learning in early primary school relies on specific components of attention rather than on attention as a unitary construct. Visual and visual–spatial focused attention plays a central role during the acquisition and consolidation of observed sequences, with implications for understanding learning from models and for educational practices based on demonstration. Full article

Background: Research on vibrations induced by running has gained significant attention due to its implications for athletes’ performance, injury prevention, and overall well-being. Distance running exposes the body to repetitive impulsive forces, causing significant vibrations to travel through physiological systems and biomechanical structures. These vibrations increase fatigue and the risk of injury. Although it has gained importance, research on induced vibration during running and wearable equipment for monitoring is scarce. This study aims to evaluate the performance of a measurement system for monitoring the acceleration levels of induced vibrations during long-distance running, exploring the capability of non-invasive wearable devices to characterise vibration transmissibility and exposure. Moreover, a preliminary quantitative assessment of induced vibration levels for an indoor testing scenario is given. Methods: Metrological characterisation of Xsens Motion Trackers Awinda (MTw), off-the-shelf inertial magnetic motion trackers, was performed by measuring the sensors’ frequency bandwidth in a controlled environment, providing logarithmic sweep sine excitations at different levels (2 g, 5 g, 7 g, where g is meant to be the gravitational acceleration). A testing protocol for indoor testing was derived from the literature, allowing characterisation of the sensors’ behaviour in terms of vibration transmissibility and exposure detection in the intended application. Time domain and frequency domain analyses were conducted by following the ISO 2631 standard guideline for vibration exposure assessment, and measurement uncertainty was defined, either for the dynamic correction of the sensors’ frequency behaviour or for the computed time and frequency domain metrics. In this framework, a treadmill-based test was conducted. The aim was to evaluate the Xsens sensors’ performance in measuring vibration dose exposure and transmissibility. Three MTws were placed on the subject’s right tibia, back, and forehead using elastic bands. A 25-year-old female amateur runner completed a series of tests consisting of walking for 1 min at 3.5 km/h (instrumentation setup), followed by running at two speeds (8 km/h and 11 km/h) for 2–4 min per trial, with 5 min rest periods between tests. Conclusions: The tested measurement system showed promising results due to its capability to assess vibration exposure during sports activities, but dynamic correction was found to be mandatory for accurate vibration level assessment. The main outcome of this study is a method for characterising the accelerometers embedded in the proposed devices, along with an analysis strategy for future testing campaigns. Thanks to the portability of IMUs (inertial measurement units), this approach enables the evaluation of induced vibrations during in-field running measurements. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the different forms of caffeine (CAF) administration in CrossFit^® participants. The countermovement jump (CMJ), the rate of perceived exertion (RPE), the total number of repetitions, and the maximum (HR_max) and mean heart rate (HR_mean) were evaluated. Methods: Fourteen males with more than six months of continuous CrossFit^® training (30.9 [5.62] years, 179 [1.33] cm, 78 [5.75] kg, 24.3 [1.33] kg·m⁻²) participated in this randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Participants were randomized in a repeated measures design using caffeine capsule (CC), caffeine chewing gum (CCG), and caffeine mouth rinse (CMR) protocols, along with a placebo group (PG). Participants were unaware of whether any of the delivery methods contained caffeine. A 7-day washout period before each crossover was used. To ensure ecological validity, we replicated the real-world practice of CAF ingestion 30 min prior to training, mirroring typical athlete pre-workout routines. The participants of CrossFit^® performed the ‘Cindy’ protocol, and the CMJ as a primary outcome was measured pre- and post-intervention, while the RPE, HR, and the number of repetitions were tracked at the end of the workout for comparisons. Results: No significant differences were found between CAF forms in internal load measures (RPE, HR_max, HR_mean) or the number of repetitions. While no changes were observed with other CAF forms, CMR significantly improved the CMJ performance compared to the baseline (Δ: +3.5; Cohen’s d_unb: 0.51], which exceeded the estimated SWC by approximately three-fold. However, the inferential analysis revealed no significant main effects of the caffeine administration method on any measured outcomes. Conclusions: While CAF delivery forms did not improve internal load measures or performance parameters, such as the RPE, HR, or the total number of repetitions, the caffeine mouth rinse (CMR) showed a potentially meaningful improvement in CMJ performance after CrossFit^® training in participants with a certain level of experience. Full article

Knee biomechanical demands vary across different sports due to sport- and position-specific patterns of muscle recruitment. To return to performance, athletes must adequately restore knee kinematics to regain control over the same sport mechanics that led to the initial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. ACL graft selection should therefore minimize donor site morbidity and support sport-specific demands. This study aims to address the available evidence and guide surgical graft choice in athletes. A literature search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science (up to September 2025) assessed BPTB, hamstring, and quadriceps tendon autografts. Outcomes included revision, graft survival, return to sport, time to return, PROMs, anterior knee pain, donor site morbidity, and prognostic factors (age, sex). Sports were classified as pivoting, contact/collision, or endurance/non-pivoting. The results were synthesized narratively. In pivoting and cutting sports, bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) autografts offer high survival rates but are associated with a high incidence of anterior knee pain, which is a substantial drawback in kneeling or flexion-intensive sports. Hamstring tendon (HT) grafts carry higher revision rates in female and younger patients, though they have low donor site morbidity that does not appear to affect long-term athletic performance. Quadriceps tendon (QT) grafts are emerging as a promising option for pivoting athletes. However, conflicting results indicate that the revision risk is comparable to that of HT grafts and possible long-standing extensor mechanism weakness. Contact and collision sports demonstrate similar trends, but kneeling and contact injuries are more common in this group. Thus, while prioritizing powerful hamstring strength, anterior knee pain symptoms should still be carefully considered. The diameter of the HT autograft should exceed 7.5 mm to ensure comparable revision outcomes with BPTB. QT grafts remain a limited-evidence attractive option. Endurance and non-pivoting athletes require fewer pivoting mechanics but rely heavily on muscle symmetry and repetitive motion. BPTB grafts are less suitable in this category due to alterations in sprint mechanics, muscle asymmetry, and repetitive patellofemoral joint loading. HT grafts provide favorable rates of return to sport, whereas evidence regarding QT graft use in non-pivoting athletes remains limited. Full article

Background: Although traditional rehabilitation methods are effective in promoting recovery for patients with disabilities, some approaches can involve repetitive tasks, making it challenging to maintain high patient engagement and adherence. This can impact the amount of therapy patients receive, which can sometimes limit their overall recovery potential, particularly given constraints in healthcare resources. Extended reality (XR) technologies, which include virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), offer promising benefits to personalize care and enhance rehabilitation and engagement by increasing motivation and engagement through interactive and immersive environments. Despite these promising advantages, their successful integration in clinical practice has remained limited, partly due to lack of early involvement of clinicians and end-users in the development process. Objective: We aim to provide recommendations for XR rehabilitation technology development, including researchers and industry professionals, to foster more personalized, adoptable and effective tools for patients with neuromusculoskeletal disorders in a clinical setting. Methods: Principles from motor control and game theory are used to describe key features and recommendations for XR rehabilitation technology development to optimize rehabilitation applications in a clinical setting. These recommendations stem from established motor learning and game design principles, a state-of-the-art narrative review of emerging XR rehabilitation literature (2015–2025) and insights from the Ensemble! Program, a living lab where clinicians, researchers, and patients collaborate to explore emerging technologies, including but not limited to serious games using XR technologies. Results: Key design recommendations include strategies for supporting patient motivation, adjusting game difficulty, providing feedback and handling data collection. Conclusions: Integrating motor control and game theory principles into XR rehabilitation technology can help optimize its therapeutic effectiveness and clinical applicability for patients with neuromusculoskeletal conditions. By addressing clinician and patient needs early in the development process, these technologies can be better tailored to meet therapeutic goals and facilitate broader adoption in clinical practice. Full article