NeuroEng Lab

Author: Andrea Cimolato

  • MSc Thesis Opportunity: Chronic pain prediction from wearable signals and psychological data

    đź’Š MSc Thesis Opportunity: Chronic pain prediction from wearable signals and psychological data

    đź“Ť Location: Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna
    ⏳ Duration: 6 months, full-time
    đź“… Start: September/October 2026

    Chronic pain is a complex condition shaped by both physiological and psychological factors. Understanding how these interact could pave the way for more personalized, data-driven approaches to pain assessment and treatment.

    At the NeuroEngineering Lab at the Medical University of Vienna, you’ll join the PainSense project, where we combine wearable sensor data, psychological assessments, and artificial intelligence to better understand and predict pain fluctuations in everyday life. Building on an existing machine-learning pipeline, you’ll explore state-of-the-art AI methods to discover richer patterns in physiological signals and improve pain prediction while keeping the models clinically interpretable.

    What you’ll work on:

    • Investigate how physiological signals relate to changes in chronic pain

    • Develop AI models that learn meaningful representations directly from wearable data

    • Apply explainable AI techniques to understand how the models make predictions

    • Compare your approach with the existing machine-learning pipeline and evaluate its clinical value

    Who we’re looking for:

    • Good programming skills in Python

    • Knowledge of AI and machine learning

    • Experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch), signal processing, or statistical analysis is a plus

    đź“„ Download the complete thesis proposal here.

    đź“© You can apply directly through the website form or by sending your CV, transcript of records, and a short motivation letter to neuroenglab2019@gmail.com.

  • MSc Thesis Opportunity: Use AI to Improve Markerless Motion Capture in Rehabilitation

    đź“· MSc Thesis Opportunity: Use AI to Improve Markerless Motion Capture in Rehabilitation

    đź“ŤLocation: Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna
    ⏳ Duration: 6 months (full-time)
    đź“… Start: September/October 2026

    Accurately tracking patients during rehabilitation—without physical markers or wearable sensors—could make movement assessment more flexible, and clinically useful.

    At the NeuroEngineering Lab at the Medical University of Vienna, we are developing a markerless motion-capture system that uses multiple synchronized cameras and computer vision to reconstruct human movement. The system is already operational, but one key challenge remains: reliably identifying and tracking the patient in busy clinical environments where therapists, clinicians, or rehabilitation devices may also be present.

    As an MSc student, you will develop and integrate AI-based human segmentation and 3D body-meshing methods to isolate the patient of interest and improve the reliability of movement tracking. Your work will support more accurate and non-intrusive assessment of motor recovery in real-world rehabilitation settings.

    What you’ll work on:

    • Develop and integrate human segmentation and body-meshing methods into the motion-capture pipeline

    • Evaluate and validate the proposed approach through technical testing

    • Explore integration with other rehabilitation technologies and sensing modalities

    Who we’re looking for:

    • Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++

    • Good understanding of computer vision

    • Experience with motion capture is a plus

    Download the complete thesis proposal here. You can apply directly through the website form or by sending your CV, transcript of records, and a short motivation letter to neuroenglab2019@gmail.com.

  •  MSc Thesis Opportunity: Build the Next Generation of Intelligent Neurostimulators

    ⚡MSc Thesis Opportunity: Build the Next Generation of Intelligent Neurostimulators

    đź“ŤLocation: Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna
    ⏳Duration: 6 months (full-time)
    📅 Start: September/October 2026

    What if electrical stimulation devices could adapt in real time to the body’s own signals?

    At the NeuroEngineering Lab (Medical University of Vienna), we are developing a new generation of intelligent neurostimulation technologies for rehabilitation. Unlike conventional stimulators that deliver fixed stimulation patterns, our novel platform is designed to adapt its output instantly based on biological feedback, opening new possibilities for personalized neurorehabilitation.

    As an MSc student, you’ll work directly on the firmware powering this system, developing deterministic embedded software that guarantees precise timing, safety, and reliable real-time performance. You’ll also explore closed-loop control strategies that use signals such as HD-EMG, pressure sensors, or motion tracking to dynamically adjust stimulation.

    What you’ll work on:

    • Develop low-level firmware in C/C++ for a custom electrical stimulator
    • Design a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing framework to evaluate latency and waveform accuracy
    • Implement real-time communication with biological sensors
    • Explore adaptive control and TinyML approaches for intelligent closed-loop stimulation (depending on project progress)

    Who we’re looking for:

    • Strong programming skills (C/C++) for microcontrollers
    • Fundamentals of embedded systems and real-time operating parameters
    • Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing or control theory is a plus

    Download the complete thesis proposal here. You can apply directly thorugh the website digital form or sending CV, transcript of records, and a short motivation letter to neuroenglab2019@gmail.com.

  • Combining Virtual Reality Games and Electrical Stimulation for Early Stroke Reahabilitation

    [Deutsche Version siehe unten]

    🧠 Have you experienced a stroke? Join us in testing new approaches for rehabilitation.

    We are looking for participants for a clinical study investigating whether a combination of virtual reality and non-invasive electrical stimulation can improve arm function and body awareness after stroke.

    The study is designed for individuals who have experienced a stroke and have difficulties moving or sensing their affected arm.

    What does participation involve?

    Over approximately 5 weeks, you will:

    • Be randomly assigned to either Virtual Reality + Electrical Stimulation therapy or conventional physiotherapy
    • Participate in 12 rehabilitation sessions, each lasting 30 minutes, over 3 weeks
    • Complete clinical assessments before, during, and after the intervention
    • Share your experience with the rehabilitation program through a short interview

    If assigned to the experimental therapy, you will try engaging rehabilitation games that combine immersive virtual reality exercises with gentle electrical stimulation designed to support the recovery of sensation in the affected hand.

    Participation is voluntary and all study-related treatments are provided free of charge.

    đź“Ť Study lead: Prof. Stanisa Raspopovic and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Serles
    📍 Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18–20

    đź’ˇ By participating, you may contribute to the development of new rehabilitation approaches that could improve recovery and quality of life for you and future stroke survivors.

    Interested in taking part or learning more? Please contact us.

    ────────────────────────

    🧠 Haben Sie einen Schlaganfall erlitten? Helfen Sie uns, neue Ansätze für die Rehabilitation zu testen.

    Wir suchen Teilnehmende für eine klinische Studie, die untersucht, ob eine Kombination aus Virtueller Realität und nicht-invasiver elektrischer Stimulation die Armfunktion und das Körpergefühl nach einem Schlaganfall verbessern kann.

    Die Studie richtet sich an Personen, die nach einem Schlaganfall Schwierigkeiten haben, ihren betroffenen Arm zu bewegen oder wahrzunehmen.

    Was beinhaltet die Teilnahme?

    Ăśber einen Zeitraum von etwa 5 Wochen werden Sie:

    • Per Zufall entweder einer Therapie mit Virtueller Realität + elektrischer Stimulation oder einer konventionellen Physiotherapie zugeteilt
    • An 12 Rehabilitationseinheiten teilnehmen, jeweils 30 Minuten, über 3 Wochen
    • Klinische Untersuchungen vor, während und nach der Intervention absolvieren
    • Ihre Erfahrungen mit dem Rehabilitationsprogramm in einem kurzen Gespräch teilen

    Wenn Sie der experimentellen Therapie zugeteilt werden, probieren Sie spielbasierte Rehabilitationsübungen aus, die immersive Virtuelle Realität mit sanfter elektrischer Stimulation kombinieren und die Wiederherstellung des Empfindens in der betroffenen Hand unterstützen sollen.

    Die Teilnahme ist freiwillig und alle studienbezogenen Behandlungen sind kostenlos.

    đź“Ť Studienleitung: Prof. Stanisa Raspopovic und Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Serles
    📍 Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18–20

    💡 Mit Ihrer Teilnahme unterstützen Sie die Entwicklung neuer Rehabilitationsansätze, die die Erholung und Lebensqualität für Sie und zukünftige Schlaganfallpatientinnen und -patienten verbessern könnten.

    Bei Interesse oder fĂĽr weitere Informationen kontaktieren Sie uns gerne.

  • Predicting Pain: Tracking the Physiological and Emotional Dynamics of Chronic Pain

    [Deutsche Version siehe unten]

    🧠 Do you live with chronic pain?

    We are looking for participants for an observational study investigating how physiology, emotions, and daily experiences influence the course of chronic pain.

    The study focuses on people living with:

    âś” Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
    ✔ Spinal Cord Injury–related pain
    âś” Diabetic Neuropathy

    What does participation involve?

    Over 14 days, you will be asked to:

    • Keep a pain diary through a smartphone app
    • Wear a comfortable smart wristband continuously
    • Complete short questionnaires during the day

    All measurements can be performed from home, at times that fit your schedule. Participation is voluntary and non-invasive.

    By taking part, you may receive a final report with a personal overview of how your pain changes across the study period. Interested participants may also have the opportunity to reserve a preliminary spot for an upcoming clinical trial on pain treatment using virtual reality and electrical stimulation.

    đź“Ť Study lead: Prof. Dr. Stanisa Raspopovic
    📍 Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18–20

    đź’ˇ Your contribution could help develop better strategies for understanding and managing chronic pain in the future.

    Interested in taking part or learning more? Please contact us.

    ───────────────────────────

    🧠 Leben Sie mit chronischen Schmerzen?

    Wir suchen Teilnehmende fĂĽr eine Beobachtungsstudie, die untersucht, wie physiologische Faktoren, Emotionen und Alltagserfahrungen den Verlauf chronischer Schmerzen beeinflussen.

    Die Studie richtet sich an Personen mit:

    âś” Komplexem Regionalem Schmerzsyndrom (CRPS)
    âś” Schmerzen infolge einer RĂĽckenmarksverletzung
    âś” Diabetischer Neuropathie

    Was beinhaltet die Teilnahme?

    Ăśber einen Zeitraum von 14 Tagen werden Sie gebeten:

    • Ein Schmerztagebuch ĂĽber eine Smartphone-App zu fĂĽhren
    • Durchgehend ein komfortables Smart-Armband zu tragen
    • Kurze Fragebögen im Laufe des Tages auszufĂĽllen

    Alle Messungen können bequem von zu Hause und zu selbst gewählten Zeiten durchgeführt werden. Die Teilnahme ist freiwillig und nicht invasiv.

    Durch Ihre Teilnahme können Sie auf Wunsch einen Abschlussbericht mit einer persönlichen Übersicht darüber erhalten, wie sich Ihre Schmerzen im Verlauf der Studie entwickeln. Interessierte Teilnehmende haben zudem die Möglichkeit, sich einen vorläufigen Platz für eine bevorstehende klinische Studie zur Schmerzbehandlung mittels Virtual Reality und elektrischer Stimulation zu sichern.

    đź“Ť Studienleitung: Prof. Dr. Stanisa Raspopovic
    📍 Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18–20

    💡 Mit Ihrer Teilnahme leisten Sie einen wichtigen Beitrag zum besseren Verständnis und zur zukünftigen Behandlung chronischer Schmerzen.

    Bei Interesse oder fĂĽr weitere Informationen kontaktieren Sie uns gerne.

  • New Poster Presentation Accepted at IFESS Conference 2026

    We are pleased to announce our work has been accepted for presentation at the IFESS Conference 2026, a leading international global event in neurorehabilitation technologies.

    A Multisensory VR–TENS Platform for Personalized Chronic Neuropathic Pain Management

    Paper ID: 44
    Contribution Type: Poster Presentation
    Dates: 2nd-4th September 2026

    Authors: Anna Sparapani, Elisa Tessitore, Andrea Cimolato, Stanisa Raspopovic

    Chronic neuropathic pain remains a major clinical challenge, often requiring personalized and multidisciplinary treatment strategies. In this work, we present a novel multisensory platform that combines immersive virtual reality with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to create personalized interventions for pain management.

    This contribution reflects our ongoing efforts to develop innovative neurotechnologies that bridge neuroscience, rehabilitation engineering, and digital health to improve the quality of life of people living with chronic neurological conditions.

    We look forward to presenting our work at IFESS 2026 and discussing future directions!

  • Two Contributions from Our Lab at FENS Forum 2026

    We are pleased to announce that our research will be presented at FENS Forum 2026, leading European neuroscience conference, taking place in Barcelona this July.

    Sensorimotor Rehabilitation After Spinal Cord Injury Enhanced by Synergistic Virtual Reality and Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation

    Abstract No. 2641
    Poster No. PS04-08PM-108
    đź“… 8 July 2026
    🕑 14:00–15:30

    This work, presented by our lab member Anna Sparapani, explores how the combination of immersive virtual reality and transcutaneous electrical stimulation can enhance sensorimotor rehabilitation after spinal cord injury. By synchronizing multisensory feedback with motor training, the approach aims to improve functional recovery and patient engagement during rehabilitation.

    Selective Modulation of Autonomic Functions via Closed-Loop Vagus Nerve Stimulation

    Abstract No. 2643
    Poster No. PS07-10AM-106
    đź“… 10 July 2026
    🕦 11:30–13:00

    Presented by Titouan Brossy, this work investigates closed-loop vagus nerve stimulation as a strategy to selectively modulate autonomic functions. The study contributes to the growing field of bioelectronic medicine, where intelligent neurostimulation systems are designed to regulate physiological processes with high precision.

    We look forward to meet you all, respond to your questions and spark our interest in our work!
    See you very soon.

    The Neuroengineering Lab