Flagship projects

Fit4AI-SR represents a digital innovation initiative aimed at transforming advanced neurorehabilitation processes at the Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center. The main objective is to integrate artificial intelligence technologies, predictive analytics, and digital twin models into clinical pathways to improve the personalization and effectiveness of rehabilitative treatments for patients with neurological conditions, particularly post-stroke, post-traumatic injuries, and neurodegenerative diseases.

The project involves the development of an integrated digital platform capable of collecting and analyzing large amounts of data from various sources: electronic health records, robotic devices and sensors, motion analysis systems, diagnostic imaging, and clinical or textual data produced by healthcare professionals. All this data is organized into a structured clinical data lake, which allows for the secure and interoperable management and correlation of heterogeneous information.

Based on this information foundation, artificial intelligence models are developed to perform predictive analyses on patients’ functional evolution, suggest possible therapeutic strategies, and support clinicians in the decision-making process. The models use advanced machine learning and deep learning techniques, including recurrent neural networks and transformer architectures, designed with Explainable AI systems to ensure transparency of the generated recommendations.

One of the most innovative elements of the project is the introduction of the clinical digital twin — a “digital replica” of the patient that virtually mirrors their functional status and the progression of their rehabilitation journey. This dynamic model is continuously updated with new data from therapy sessions and allows for the simulation of alternative therapeutic scenarios before applying them in clinical practice, helping professionals choose the most effective and personalized strategies.

The platform also includes operational tools for daily use by healthcare professionals, such as interactive clinical dashboards, real-time patient progress monitoring systems, automatic reports, and therapeutic performance indicators. These tools enable clinicians to adjust the intensity and type of exercises based on the collected data and AI-generated predictions, improving treatment efficiency and patient adherence to the rehabilitation program.

From an infrastructure standpoint, the project employs a hybrid and modular cloud architecture, with local processing systems at Villa Beretta and advanced computational components hosted in dedicated data centers. This configuration ensures the security of health data, platform scalability, and the ability to integrate new devices and technologies over time.

Through this integration of clinical data, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence, Fit4AI-SR aims to introduce a new paradigm in neurorehabilitation: a more predictive, personalized, and data-driven model of care, where AI does not replace clinical expertise but supports it, enhancing professionals’ ability to make informed decisions and optimize patients’ recovery pathways.

The Fit4AI-SR (Stroke Rehabilitation) project is a sub-project of Fit4MedRob that has been allocated an additional amount of 1 million euros beyond the original budget.

This study is based on an innovative idea: the environment in which we live, understood as the set of physical, biological, and social factors known as the exposome, can significantly influence recovery and quality of life in people who have experienced a stroke, as well as in their caregivers. In recent years, several studies have shown that elements such as biodiversity, multisensory stimuli, and in particular exposure to natural or artificial light can modify the responses of the brain and body, with effects on mood, cognitive functions, well-being, and functional abilities. However, the concrete impact of these environmental factors on post-stroke rehabilitation pathways has not yet been systematically investigated in depth. The project therefore aims to analyze in detail how both the external and internal environment influence recovery, adopting an interdisciplinary approach that integrates biological, psychological, and social dimensions. The focus is directed not only at patients across different age groups, but also at caregivers, whose role and lived experience are considered an integral part of the rehabilitation pathway. The main objective is to understand how to modulate the care and living environment, for example through controlled exposure to light or to stimuli that evoke nature, in order to support the maintenance and improvement of the outcomes achieved through rehabilitation, both in clinical terms and in relation to long-term psychophysical well-being. To support this objective, the Indoor Exposome Laboratory (LEI) was established at the Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center: a high-tech space capable of realistically reproducing the sunlight and skylight typical of outdoor environments, in order to study their effects under controlled conditions.

The project is funded by the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) within the framework of the PNRR – Mission 4 “Education and Research”, with funding from the European Union – NextGenerationEU.

The INSIEME project—Innovation for Health and Social Inclusion in Motion—was established to improve the health and quality of life of the population in the Lecco area by combating sedentary lifestyles and promoting active, inclusive ways of living. This initiative adopts an integrated approach that combines interventions in physical spaces, innovative technologies, and community engagement. Specifically, the project involves creating and redeveloping environments dedicated to physical activity—such as schools, parks, healthcare facilities, and senior residences—making them accessible and adaptable to the needs of all population groups, from children to the elderly, including vulnerable individuals and those with disabilities. Concurrently, technological solutions are developed to personalize physical activity and monitor its effects, supporting prevention, early diagnosis, and continuity of care. A central element is the active involvement of the community through co-design processes, aiming to build sustainable and replicable models over time. The project addresses significant challenges in the area, such as the high percentage of sedentary individuals, demographic aging, and inequalities in access to sports, especially among youth and socially disadvantaged groups. Through targeted and differentiated actions based on age and needs, INSIEME seeks to generate tangible benefits: improved physical and mental well-being, enhanced social inclusion, reduced isolation, and, in the long term, containment of healthcare costs. Additionally, the project includes the collection and analysis of data to support public policies, contributing to the development of more effective, evidence-based prevention strategies.

The Insieme Project was funded by the Cariplo Foundation and the Lombardy Region with a grant of €450,000.