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\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bridging AI and Primary Care: AI-assisted Health System Integration Model for the Inclusion App.\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n Oduor, M.; Lällä, K.; Eriksen, M.; Korniloff, K.; and Murtonen, K.\n\n\n \n\n\n\n October 2025.\n
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Paper\n \n \n\n \n\n \n link\n \n \n\n bibtex\n \n\n \n \n \n abstract \n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n
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@misc{oduor_bridging_2025,\n\ttitle = {Bridging {AI} and {Primary} {Care}: {AI}-assisted {Health} {System} {Integration} {Model} for the {Inclusion} {App}},\n\tshorttitle = {Bridging {AI} and {Primary} {Care}},\n\turl = {https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:jamk-issn-2984-0783-249},\n\tabstract = {A multidisciplinary team co-developed an AI-assisted rehabilitation model tailored to Rwanda’s primary care, emphasizing interoperability, equitable and scalable access.},\n\tlanguage = {en-GB},\n\turldate = {2025-11-09},\n\tjournal = {Jamk Arena Pro},\n\tauthor = {Oduor, Michael and Lällä, Kaisa and Eriksen, Minna and Korniloff, Katariina and Murtonen, Kari-Pekka},\n\tmonth = oct,\n\tyear = {2025},\n}\n\n\n\n\n
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\n A multidisciplinary team co-developed an AI-assisted rehabilitation model tailored to Rwanda’s primary care, emphasizing interoperability, equitable and scalable access.\n
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\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Professionals' perspectives on the challenges of implementing digital solutions in rehabilitation settings in Rwanda.\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n Jokinen, K.; Oduor, M.; Urimubenshi, G.; Gasana, J.; Bigirimana, J. D.; Tumusiime, D. K.; Aartolahti, E.; Murtonen, K.; and Korniloff, K.\n\n\n \n\n\n\n
Frontiers in Digital Health, Volume 7 - 2025. 2025.\n
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Paper\n \n \n\n \n\n \n link\n \n \n\n bibtex\n \n\n \n \n \n abstract \n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n
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@article{jokinen_professionals_2025,\n\ttitle = {Professionals' perspectives on the challenges of implementing digital solutions in rehabilitation settings in {Rwanda}},\n\tvolume = {Volume 7 - 2025},\n\tissn = {2673-253X},\n\turl = {https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1489288},\n\tabstract = {The need for rehabilitation is unmet, especially in low- and middle-income countries such as Rwanda. Digital rehabilitation offers significant potential for delivering rehabilitation services in low-resource settings, and this study examines the challenges affecting the digitalization of rehabilitation. Semi-structured interviews and a survey were conducted in Rwanda with rehabilitation professionals to collect data for two different projects. The different datasets were analyzed using thematic analysis and inductive content analysis. As a result, three main concepts were formed: context-related factors, individual-related factors, and technology-related factors. Results suggest that the challenges in implementing digital solutions in rehabilitation settings in Rwanda encompass various domains, including socioeconomic factors, infrastructure, digital competency, regulatory frameworks, and user-related factors. In conclusion, because of multifaceted challenges, systemic-level change is needed to realize the potential of the digitalization of rehabilitation and other health care services in Rwanda.},\n\tjournal = {Frontiers in Digital Health},\n\tauthor = {Jokinen, Kaisa and Oduor, Michael and Urimubenshi, Gerard and Gasana, Juliette and Bigirimana, Jean Damascene and Tumusiime, David K. and Aartolahti, Eeva and Murtonen, Kari-Pekka and Korniloff, Katariina},\n\tyear = {2025},\n}\n\n\n\n\n
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\n The need for rehabilitation is unmet, especially in low- and middle-income countries such as Rwanda. Digital rehabilitation offers significant potential for delivering rehabilitation services in low-resource settings, and this study examines the challenges affecting the digitalization of rehabilitation. Semi-structured interviews and a survey were conducted in Rwanda with rehabilitation professionals to collect data for two different projects. The different datasets were analyzed using thematic analysis and inductive content analysis. As a result, three main concepts were formed: context-related factors, individual-related factors, and technology-related factors. Results suggest that the challenges in implementing digital solutions in rehabilitation settings in Rwanda encompass various domains, including socioeconomic factors, infrastructure, digital competency, regulatory frameworks, and user-related factors. In conclusion, because of multifaceted challenges, systemic-level change is needed to realize the potential of the digitalization of rehabilitation and other health care services in Rwanda.\n
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\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n CO-INNOVATION OF DIGITAL REHABILITATION IN THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE.\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n Murtonen, K.; Korniloff, K.; Aartolahti, E.; and Oduor, M.\n\n\n \n\n\n\n Technical Report Zenodo, June 2025.\n
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Paper\n \n \n\n \n \n doi\n \n \n\n \n link\n \n \n\n bibtex\n \n\n \n \n \n abstract \n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n
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@techreport{murtonen_co-innovation_2025,\n\ttitle = {{CO}-{INNOVATION} {OF} {DIGITAL} {REHABILITATION} {IN} {THE} {GLOBAL} {MARKETPLACE}},\n\tcopyright = {Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International},\n\turl = {https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.15745645},\n\tdoi = {10.5281/ZENODO.15745645},\n\tabstract = {The final report of the DIRECT project\n\nThe DIRECT project was established to respond to this global challenge by creating and validating a scalable, digital-first rehabilitation model and solutions. Digital-first rehabilitation emphasizes using digital solutions as the first point of contact, and in certain cases, the primary avenue for delivering rehabilitation services. Project consortium was led by Jamk University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with Physiotools Ltd. and CSE Entertainment Ltd., the project developed an interoperable digital rehabilitation service model, and a solution that can be adapted to different contexts and systems.\n\nTo test and demonstrate the digital-first approach, the project undertook several research activities and technology pilots in primary care settings in two East African and one Southeast Asian country. It engaged national ministries and reached thousands of global stakeholders through its dissemination efforts, all while maintaining rigorous research standards, ethical practices, and responsible innovation principles in close collaboration with private sector partners.},\n\tlanguage = {en},\n\turldate = {2025-09-09},\n\tinstitution = {Zenodo},\n\tauthor = {Murtonen, Kari-Pekka and Korniloff, Katariina and Aartolahti, Eeva and Oduor, Michael},\n\tmonth = jun,\n\tyear = {2025},\n}\n\n\n\n\n
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\n The final report of the DIRECT project The DIRECT project was established to respond to this global challenge by creating and validating a scalable, digital-first rehabilitation model and solutions. Digital-first rehabilitation emphasizes using digital solutions as the first point of contact, and in certain cases, the primary avenue for delivering rehabilitation services. Project consortium was led by Jamk University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with Physiotools Ltd. and CSE Entertainment Ltd., the project developed an interoperable digital rehabilitation service model, and a solution that can be adapted to different contexts and systems. To test and demonstrate the digital-first approach, the project undertook several research activities and technology pilots in primary care settings in two East African and one Southeast Asian country. It engaged national ministries and reached thousands of global stakeholders through its dissemination efforts, all while maintaining rigorous research standards, ethical practices, and responsible innovation principles in close collaboration with private sector partners.\n
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\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n How AI-Based Digital Rehabilitation Improves End-User Adherence: Rapid Review.\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n MohammadNamdar, M.; Lowery Wilson, M.; Murtonen, K.; Aartolahti, E.; Oduor, M.; and Korniloff, K.\n\n\n \n\n\n\n
JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, 12: e69763–e69763. August 2025.\n
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Paper\n \n \n\n \n \n doi\n \n \n\n \n link\n \n \n\n bibtex\n \n\n \n \n \n abstract \n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n
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@article{mohammadnamdar_how_2025,\n\ttitle = {How {AI}-{Based} {Digital} {Rehabilitation} {Improves} {End}-{User} {Adherence}: {Rapid} {Review}},\n\tvolume = {12},\n\tissn = {2369-2529},\n\tshorttitle = {How {AI}-{Based} {Digital} {Rehabilitation} {Improves} {End}-{User} {Adherence}},\n\turl = {https://rehab.jmir.org/2025/1/e69763},\n\tdoi = {10.2196/69763},\n\tabstract = {Abstract\n \n Background\n The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in rehabilitation technology is transforming traditional methods, focusing on personalization and improved outcomes. The growing area of AI in digital rehabilitation (DR) emphasizes the critical role of end-user compliance with rehabilitation programs. Analyzing how AI-driven DR tools can boost this compliance is vital for creating sustainable practices and tackling future challenges.\n \n \n Objective\n This study seeks to assess how AI-based DR can improve the end-user compliance or adherence to rehabilitation.\n \n \n Methods\n Following the updated recommendations for the Cochrane rapid review methods guidance and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a systematic literature search strategy was led in PubMed, which yielded 922 records, resulting in 6 papers included in this study.\n \n \n Results\n The reviewed studies identified 6 key ways in which AI enhances end-user compliance in rehabilitation. The most prevalent method (in 4 studies) involves motivating and engaging users through features like exercise tracking and motivational content. The second method, also noted in 4 studies, focuses on improving communication and information exchange between health care providers and users. Personalized solutions tailored to individual cognitive styles and attitudes were highlighted in 3 studies. Ease of use and system usability, affecting user acceptability, emerged in 2 studies. Additionally, daily notifications, alerts, and reminders were identified as strategies to promote compliance, also noted in 2 studies. While 5 studies looked at AI’s role in improving adherence, 1 study specifically assessed AI’s capability for objective compliance measurement, contrasting it with traditional subjective self-reports.\n \n \n Conclusions\n Our results could be especially relevant and beneficial for rethinking rehabilitation practices and devising effective strategies for the integration of AI in the rehabilitation field, aimed at enhancing end-user adherence to the rehabilitation regimen.},\n\tlanguage = {en},\n\turldate = {2025-08-15},\n\tjournal = {JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies},\n\tauthor = {MohammadNamdar, Mahsa and Lowery Wilson, Michael and Murtonen, Kari-Pekka and Aartolahti, Eeva and Oduor, Michael and Korniloff, Katariina},\n\tmonth = aug,\n\tyear = {2025},\n\tpages = {e69763--e69763},\n}\n\n\n\n\n
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\n Abstract Background The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in rehabilitation technology is transforming traditional methods, focusing on personalization and improved outcomes. The growing area of AI in digital rehabilitation (DR) emphasizes the critical role of end-user compliance with rehabilitation programs. Analyzing how AI-driven DR tools can boost this compliance is vital for creating sustainable practices and tackling future challenges. Objective This study seeks to assess how AI-based DR can improve the end-user compliance or adherence to rehabilitation. Methods Following the updated recommendations for the Cochrane rapid review methods guidance and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a systematic literature search strategy was led in PubMed, which yielded 922 records, resulting in 6 papers included in this study. Results The reviewed studies identified 6 key ways in which AI enhances end-user compliance in rehabilitation. The most prevalent method (in 4 studies) involves motivating and engaging users through features like exercise tracking and motivational content. The second method, also noted in 4 studies, focuses on improving communication and information exchange between health care providers and users. Personalized solutions tailored to individual cognitive styles and attitudes were highlighted in 3 studies. Ease of use and system usability, affecting user acceptability, emerged in 2 studies. Additionally, daily notifications, alerts, and reminders were identified as strategies to promote compliance, also noted in 2 studies. While 5 studies looked at AI’s role in improving adherence, 1 study specifically assessed AI’s capability for objective compliance measurement, contrasting it with traditional subjective self-reports. Conclusions Our results could be especially relevant and beneficial for rethinking rehabilitation practices and devising effective strategies for the integration of AI in the rehabilitation field, aimed at enhancing end-user adherence to the rehabilitation regimen.\n
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\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n The relationship between attitudes, emotions and the intention to use the digital rehabilitation solution: Insights from Rwandan rehabilitation professionals.\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n Lällä, K.; Oduor, M.; Aartolahti, E.; Tumusiime, D.; and Korniloff, K.\n\n\n \n\n\n\n
Finnish Journal of eHealth and eWelfare, 17(1). April 2025.\n
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Paper\n \n \n\n \n \n doi\n \n \n\n \n link\n \n \n\n bibtex\n \n\n \n \n \n abstract \n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n
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@article{lalla_relationship_2025,\n\ttitle = {The relationship between attitudes, emotions and the intention to use the digital rehabilitation solution: {Insights} from {Rwandan} rehabilitation professionals},\n\tvolume = {17},\n\tcopyright = {https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0},\n\tissn = {1798-0798},\n\tshorttitle = {The relationship between attitudes, emotions and the intention to use the digital rehabilitation solution},\n\turl = {https://journal.fi/finjehew/article/view/153484},\n\tdoi = {10.23996/fjhw.153484},\n\tabstract = {Limited access to rehabilitation is a major challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Digital rehabilitation (DR) has the potential to decrease this gap by offering effective and safe rehabilitation services for clients. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between rehabilitation professionals’ emotions and attitudes and intention to use the DR solution. Data was collected during two time periods in Rwanda: from July to November 2022, and from October 2023 to January 2024. A total of 58 rehabilitation professionals (67\\% men) completed the online survey at the beginning of the implementation of the DR solution and out of those, 23 (40\\%) responded to the follow-up survey. Attitudes were explored using Information Technology Attitude Scales for Health (ITASH), divided into three categories: 1) negative, 2) neutral, and 3) positive. Emotions were explored using an emotional scale with two factors “distress” and “positive arousal”. The intention to use the DR solution was assessed using a seven-point Likert scale, divided into three categories: 1) will not continue (points 1 to 3), 2) neutral (point 4), and 3) will continue (points 5 to 7). Crosstabs and Chi-Square were used to evaluate dependence between attitude and intention to use the DR solution. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between distress and positive arousal and intention to use the DR solution. Initially 91\\% of respondents had a positive attitude toward DR (M = 64, SD = 6.3). and positive attitude remained (M = 57, SD = 7.3, p = .860) at follow-up. A significant relationship between positive attitude and intention to use the DR solution (ꭓ2 = 18.33, p {\\textless} 0.001) was found. Positive arousal was significantly related to a higher intention to use the DR solution (OR = 1.29, p = .008), while distress was not (OR = .89, p = .22). Distress decreased significantly (M = 9.7, SD = 3.0, p = .02) during the follow-up. The results do not definitively determine a relationship between attitudes, emotions, and the use of the DR solutions. However, positive emotions and attitudes appear to be linked to a higher intention to use the DR solution. Further research with a larger population is needed to confirm the relationship between emotions, attitudes, and use of the DR solutions in LMIC context.},\n\tnumber = {1},\n\turldate = {2025-04-10},\n\tjournal = {Finnish Journal of eHealth and eWelfare},\n\tauthor = {Lällä, Kaisa and Oduor, Michael and Aartolahti, Eeva and Tumusiime, David and Korniloff, Katariina},\n\tmonth = apr,\n\tyear = {2025},\n}\n\n\n\n\n
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\n Limited access to rehabilitation is a major challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Digital rehabilitation (DR) has the potential to decrease this gap by offering effective and safe rehabilitation services for clients. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between rehabilitation professionals’ emotions and attitudes and intention to use the DR solution. Data was collected during two time periods in Rwanda: from July to November 2022, and from October 2023 to January 2024. A total of 58 rehabilitation professionals (67% men) completed the online survey at the beginning of the implementation of the DR solution and out of those, 23 (40%) responded to the follow-up survey. Attitudes were explored using Information Technology Attitude Scales for Health (ITASH), divided into three categories: 1) negative, 2) neutral, and 3) positive. Emotions were explored using an emotional scale with two factors “distress” and “positive arousal”. The intention to use the DR solution was assessed using a seven-point Likert scale, divided into three categories: 1) will not continue (points 1 to 3), 2) neutral (point 4), and 3) will continue (points 5 to 7). Crosstabs and Chi-Square were used to evaluate dependence between attitude and intention to use the DR solution. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between distress and positive arousal and intention to use the DR solution. Initially 91% of respondents had a positive attitude toward DR (M = 64, SD = 6.3). and positive attitude remained (M = 57, SD = 7.3, p = .860) at follow-up. A significant relationship between positive attitude and intention to use the DR solution (ꭓ2 = 18.33, p \\textless 0.001) was found. Positive arousal was significantly related to a higher intention to use the DR solution (OR = 1.29, p = .008), while distress was not (OR = .89, p = .22). Distress decreased significantly (M = 9.7, SD = 3.0, p = .02) during the follow-up. The results do not definitively determine a relationship between attitudes, emotions, and the use of the DR solutions. However, positive emotions and attitudes appear to be linked to a higher intention to use the DR solution. Further research with a larger population is needed to confirm the relationship between emotions, attitudes, and use of the DR solutions in LMIC context.\n
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\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Exploring Digital Rehabilitation: Perspectives of Rwandan Service Users and Professionals.\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n Oduor, M.; Aartolahti, E.; and Korniloff, K.\n\n\n \n\n\n\n January 2025.\n
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Paper\n \n \n\n \n\n \n link\n \n \n\n bibtex\n \n\n \n \n \n abstract \n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n
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@misc{oduor_exploring_2025,\n\ttitle = {Exploring {Digital} {Rehabilitation}: {Perspectives} of {Rwandan} {Service} {Users} and {Professionals}.},\n\tshorttitle = {Exploring {Digital} {Rehabilitation}},\n\turl = {https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:jamk-issn-2984-0791-163},\n\tabstract = {The findings highlight the need for greater affordability and accessibility across Rwanda’s tiered healthcare system, and the potential of digital rehabilitation. These results underscore the importance of advocating for rehabilitation, digital literacy and skills training, and increasing the number of rehabilitation professionals at all levels of the healthcare system.},\n\tlanguage = {en-GB},\n\turldate = {2025-01-13},\n\tjournal = {Jamk-arena},\n\tauthor = {Oduor, Michael and Aartolahti, Eeva and Korniloff, Katariina},\n\tmonth = jan,\n\tyear = {2025},\n}\n\n\n\n\n
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\n The findings highlight the need for greater affordability and accessibility across Rwanda’s tiered healthcare system, and the potential of digital rehabilitation. These results underscore the importance of advocating for rehabilitation, digital literacy and skills training, and increasing the number of rehabilitation professionals at all levels of the healthcare system.\n
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