In a pivotal advancement for the future of healthcare delivery, JMIR Publications has issued a compelling call for research submissions focusing on the transformative field of telerehabilitation. This emerging discipline, which integrates digital technology with rehabilitation practices, has experienced unprecedented growth and validation in recent years, proving its effectiveness and safety across a diverse spectrum of medical conditions. The open-access journal, JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, invites scholars and innovators to contribute in-depth studies and forward-looking insights under the theme “The Importance of Telerehabilitation and Future Directions for the Field,” setting the stage for a comprehensive exploration of this rapidly evolving sector.
Telerehabilitation leverages communication technologies to deliver rehabilitation services remotely, circumventing traditional geographic and logistic barriers inherent in in-person therapies. This modality has garnered attention not only for sustaining continuity of care during global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic but also for its prospective advantages in cost reduction, patient engagement, and scalability. The renewed urgency and interest catalyzed by recent events have underscored the imperative to systematically evaluate telerehabilitation’s outcomes, optimize implementation strategies, and address emerging challenges.
Central to the theme issue outlined by editor-in-chief Dr. Sarah Munce is a focus on comparative outcomes research that scrutinizes the clinical effectiveness and safety profile of telerehabilitation vis-à-vis conventional face-to-face rehabilitation models. This includes meticulous reporting of adverse events, adherence rates, and patient satisfaction metrics, which are essential to validate telerehabilitation as an evidence-based practice. Such investigations aim to delineate the scenarios and cohorts where remote interventions are equally or more efficacious, thereby guiding tailored clinical decision-making.
Alongside outcome-based inquiries, there is a pressing need to unravel the complex web of logistical and organizational factors that influence the adoption and sustainability of telerehabilitation services. Post-pandemic healthcare landscapes have catalyzed widespread telehealth deployment, yet questions remain regarding how healthcare institutions can maintain these services long-term. Understanding clinician perspectives, identifying systemic barriers such as resource allocation and training deficits, and elucidating facilitators like workflow integration are critical to embedding telerehabilitation as a standard care component.
Health equity stands as a paramount consideration in the telerehabilitation discourse. Access disparities propelled by digital literacy gaps, limited technological infrastructure, and socioeconomic barriers can inadvertently widen health inequities if not proactively addressed. The journal seeks research that innovatively tackles these disparities, enhancing accessibility for marginalized and equity-seeking populations through adaptable technology interfaces, culturally sensitive program designs, and community engagement frameworks. Such investigations can inform policy and practice to ensure the inclusivity of telerehabilitation innovations.
Technological innovation remains at the frontier of telerehabilitation’s promise. Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms offers prospects for personalized rehabilitation regimens that dynamically adapt to patient progress and predictive analytics. Wearable devices and sensor technologies provide real-time biometric feedback, enabling continuous monitoring and remote adjustments that enhance therapeutic precision. Interprofessional collaboration across disciplines further accelerates the development of holistic, patient-centered approaches that capitalize on these advancements.
Despite the broad strides in adult populations, pediatric telerehabilitation is conspicuously underexplored. Children with disabilities often require specialized, nuanced interventions that account for developmental variability and family-centered care paradigms. The call for papers highlights a critical knowledge gap and encourages research that develops, implements, and evaluates telehealth modalities tailored specifically to pediatric rehabilitation, thereby expanding the scope and impact of telerehabilitation services.
JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies promises a rigorous peer-review process ensuring that submissions embody methodological rigor and clinical relevance. The forthcoming theme issue aims not only to disseminate robust scientific evidence but also to foster discourse around best practices, innovation pathways, and policy frameworks. This initiative reinforces the journal’s stature in digital health publishing and its commitment to propelling telerehabilitation research to new frontiers.
Researchers aspiring to contribute must submit manuscripts by October 31, 2025, thereby aligning with the journal’s meticulous editorial calendar. This deadline enables coordinated peer review and timely publication to maximize impact within the global scientific and clinical communities. Accepted studies will be freely accessible, supporting the open science movement and accelerating knowledge transfer among practitioners, policymakers, and patients alike.
Beyond its editorial scope, JMIR Publications embodies a technological ethos that transcends traditional scholarly dissemination. By providing innovative publishing tools and amplifying digital health research, the organization enhances researcher visibility and engagement. The publisher’s portfolio, which includes the flagship Journal of Medical Internet Research, underscores its leadership in harnessing digital platforms to shape the future of health sciences.
Ultimately, this call for submissions symbolizes an inflection point in telerehabilitation research, encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration and pioneering investigations that address efficacy, implementation science, technological innovation, and equitable access. It invites the global rehabilitation community to contribute knowledge that will sculpt the contours of remote therapeutic care in the years ahead, fostering a healthcare ecosystem that is more resilient, inclusive, and technologically empowered.
For further information on submission guidelines and the thematic scope, interested parties can visit the official website of JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies.
Subject of Research: Telerehabilitation, Implementation Science, Health Equity, Technological Innovation in Rehabilitation
Article Title: The Importance of Telerehabilitation and Future Directions for the Field
News Publication Date: May 1, 2025
Web References:
JMIR Publications: https://www.jmir.org/
JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies: https://rehab.jmir.org/
Editorial: https://rehab.jmir.org/2025/1/e76153/
Call for papers: https://rehab.jmir.org/announcements/558
Image Credits: JMIR Publications and Visual Generation
Keywords: Physical therapy, Rehabilitation centers, Personalized medicine, Sports medicine, Pediatrics, Personal protective equipment, Prosthetic limbs, Physical rehabilitation
Tags: challenges in implementing telerehabilitationcomparative outcomes research in rehabilitationcontinuity of care during pandemicscost reduction in rehabilitationdigital technology in rehabilitationeffectiveness of remote rehabilitation servicesfuture directions for telerehabilitationhealthcare delivery innovationsJMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies journalpatient engagement in telerehabilitationscalability of rehabilitation servicestelerehabilitation research submissions