Rehabilitation Research

The Working Group Translational Rehabilitation Research focuses on the systematic advancement and scientific evaluation of modern, physician-led rehabilitation approaches. Its goal is to make rehabilitative care more evidence-based, patient-centred, and implementation-oriented.

The working group is situated at the interface of clinical rehabilitation, psychosomatics, and applied physiology, and works in close collaboration with routine rehabilitative care.

The working group collaborates closely with an international network of renowned experts who are involved as visiting researchers in specific development projects and research areas:

• Prof. Dr. Christian Hanshans (Munich University of Applied Sciences, Germany): Expert in medical technology, artificial intelligence, and digital development. He supports the working group in the research focus area of sarcopenia and musculoskeletal function, particularly in the development of structured, AI-supported assessments and imaging techniques.
• Prof. Dr. Gabriel Diaz Rodrigues (Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil): Specialist in heart rate variability (HRV) and the autonomic nervous system. His expertise plays a central role in the “Regulation and Autonomic Functions” focus area, helping to make the physiological mechanisms of rehabilitative interventions measurable.
• Dr. Maria Chiara Maccarone (University of Padua, Italy): Expert in physical medicine and rehabilitation with a research focus on balneotherapy and rheumatological rehabilitation. She serves as an important bridge to the University of Padua and strengthens translational therapy development.
• Dr. Goda Camille Mickeviciute (Klaipėda University Hospital, Lithuania): Specialist and researcher in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, focusing on innovative rehabilitation approaches and sarcopenia. She supports the working group in the implementation and evaluation of new care models.