Eva Swinnen

Eva Swinnen is an associate professor in neurological rehabilitation and rehabilitation technology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), affiliated with the Rehabilitation Research Group (RERE). Her academic profile integrates clinical neurorehabilitation, movement science, and technology-driven innovation, with a strong focus on translating engineering developments into clinically meaningful rehabilitation solutions. She teaches neurorehabilitation and rehabilitation technology across bachelor and master programmes at VUB. Eva actively contributes to interdisciplinary collaborations bridging rehabilitation sciences, robotics, and neuroscience. 

Career Path and Research Profile

Academic Leadership and Interdisciplinary Positioning

Eva leads the Brubotics Rehabilitation Research Center (BRRC), a state-of-the-art movement analysis laboratory dedicated to robotics and technology for rehabilitation. She chairs the interuniversity alliance research group “Rehabilitation-technology for people after a brain injury” (REBI, VUB–UGent) and serves as co-chair of the Rehabilitation Research group (RERE). Within the broader research ecosystem, she acts as vice-president of the Center for Neurosciences and contributes to the steering group of the Brussels Human Robotics Research Center. Her work is characterised by a strong interdisciplinary vision, bringing together clinicians, engineers, and technology developers to accelerate innovation in neurological rehabilitation.

Career Development and Academic Trajectory

Eva obtained her MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy in 2005 and completed her PhD in 2014 at VUB, focusing on neurological gait rehabilitation and the influence of gait speed, body-weight support, and robot assistance. Following her doctoral training, she combined postdoctoral research at VUB with academic and coordination roles at Erasmus University College and teaching assignments at the University of Antwerp. She became a full-time ZAP member at VUB in 2020. 

Neurological Rehabilitation and Technology Innovation

Neurological rehabilitation and technology innovation form the central and unifying framework of Eva’s research profile. Her work aims to advance evidence-based rehabilitation strategies by integrating emerging technologies into clinical practice, with the broader goal of improving functional recovery, independence, and quality of life for individuals with neurological conditions. Positioned at the intersection of rehabilitation sciences, neuroscience, and engineering, her research emphasises translational impact, guiding technological innovation from conceptual development towards sustainable implementation in real-world care environments.

• Robotics and Wearable Exoskeletons

Robotics and wearable exoskeletons represent a highly visible research line within this vision. Since early projects such as ALTACRO and MIRAD, and more recently REVALEXO, Eva’s work has focused on robot-assisted (gait) rehabilitation, wearable robotic systems, and human-robot interaction for neurological populations and older adults. By integrating biomechanics, motor learning principles, and clinical expertise, she contributes to optimising robotic training strategies and advancing personalised rehabilitation approaches. Through collaborations within Brubotics and international research initiatives, she supports the transition of wearable robotic technologies from experimental prototypes towards clinically validated and scalable rehabilitation solutions.

• Exergaming and Technology-Supported Rehabilitation

A second major research line centres on exergaming, virtual reality, and technology-supported rehabilitation. Within projects such as GHOSTLY+ and the European TARGET initiative, Eva investigates how serious gaming, AI-driven monitoring, and immersive digital environments can enhance engagement, adherence, and motor recovery in neurological populations and older adults. By extending rehabilitation beyond traditional therapy settings, this research contributes to more accessible and personalised rehabilitation pathways.

• User-Centered Development and Clinical Validation

Across both robotics and exergaming research lines, Eva adopts a translational and user-centred research approach. On one hand, her projects involve the co-design and development of innovative rehabilitation technologies, as exemplified in initiatives such as REVALEXO and GHOSTLY+. On the other hand, she leads clinical studies within multidisciplinary collaborations, including the FOSTER study within TARGET, evaluating biomechanical, functional, and ecological outcome measures. This dual perspective ensures that technological innovation remains grounded in clinical reasoning and aligned with patient needs, facilitating the integration of advanced technologies into everyday rehabilitation practice.

Professional Contributions and International Engagement

Eva actively contributes to international scientific networks and professional organisations. She is a member of the European Stroke Organisation guideline working group on motor and gait rehabilitation and participates in the Special Interest Group “Telerehabilitation” of the World Federation for Neurological Rehabilitation. She is also involved in the COST Action NeuroXRrehab, which focuses on leveraging extended reality (XR) technologies for personalised and cost-effective neurorehabilitation of spatial neglect and related brain injury disorders. Nationally, she serves as treasurer of the Belgian Society for Neurorehabilitation and collaborates closely with hospitals and rehabilitation centres across Brussels and Flanders.