Instrumental Assessment and Technology in Stroke Care: Experiences from Real-World Clinical Settings

This Research Topic addresses the challenges and open questions surrounding the use of instrumental motion analysis, posture, and muscle activity assessment in stroke rehabilitation. While technologies such as gait analysis, surface electromyography (sEMG), wearable sensors, and point-of-care ultrasound have advanced considerably, their full integration into everyday clinical practice remains limited. Barriers related to training, workflow, and organizational support continue to affect how widely and effectively these tools are used to promote patient-centered, evidence-based care.

The aim of this collection is to showcase real-world examples in which instrumental assessments—including gait analysis, sEMG, wearable activity monitors, or ultrasound—have improved or altered clinical decision-making for stroke survivors in both subacute and chronic phases.

We encourage submissions that detail how these technologies have influenced the selection or adaptation of pharmacological, surgical, or physiotherapy interventions, as well as those that offer practical insights and replicable lessons for clinical teams.

Importantly, there is a pressing need to:
- Develop and adapt the above-mentioned technologies for remote assessment, to expand access for people living in rural communities or for individuals who cannot easily travel or afford traditional rehabilitation center care.
- Expand instrumental assessment beyond hospital or clinic walls, which will not only increase equity in stroke care but will also help delivering truly personalized rehabilitation.
- Develop educational, organizational, and technological solutions—including AI-supported tools—that have enabled the use of instrumental assessments as part of more accessible and individualized stroke care.
- Explore and address inequalities in access to stroke rehabilitation—including geographical, clinical, and psychological barriers—and present practical solutions to improve care for all populations.

Submissions may reflect both successes and challenges, and can include examples of multidisciplinary teamwork that support the adoption and sustained use of these technologies. Authors are asked to highlight clear clinical reasoning and describe how technological findings were translated into meaningful actions in the rehabilitation process, particularly where this process has helped extend the reach of care to previously underserved populations.

Case-based contributions are welcome, though not required, especially those pointing toward more personalized and accessible models of stroke care. By sharing practical examples, implementation strategies, and lessons learned, this collection aims to lower barriers to technology adoption, foster models of care delivery—including remote modalities—and ultimately support improved rehabilitation outcomes.

This collection aims at empowering practitioners and teams to confidently integrate technology-supported approaches in daily stroke management, benefitting clinicians and patients alike, regardless of their location or circumstances.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Stroke rehabilitation, instrumental assessment, remote access, wearable technology, personalized care, Gait Analysis, Surface Electromyography (sEMG), Wearable Sensors, Remote Assessment, Clinical Decision-Making, Personalized Rehabilitation, Equity in Stroke Care

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.