Enabling Technologies for Optimized Diagnosis, Therapy and Rehabilitation: Obtained Results and Future Works

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) and Active and Healthy Aging (AHA) are two approaches that have become increasingly important in recent years. The increase in life expectancy resulted in the general aging of the population, which led to the spread of age-related problems, such as neurodegenerative diseases or neuro-motor pathologies. Since this is a significant financial burden for society, effective preventive and therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. In the context of Precision Medicine, the possibility to offer also technological frameworks for AAL and AHA allowed clinicians and caregivers to improve the diagnostic, therapeutic and healthcare processes, even offering inter-connected services allowing the full monitoring of subjects. The Polytechnic University of Bari already faced research activities, some of which are described in this work, to promote and improve the well-being of frail subjects in the fields of AAL and AHA. Furthermore, very recently the Polytechnic University of Bari has set up new research laboratories to address also these challenges. Indeed, these laboratories will develop applications and technologies for the early diagnosis of age-related diseases, personalized prognosis and therapy, and the design of smart living environments. By developing AAL and AHA solutions, the Polytechnic University of Bari is contributing to building a society where people can age actively and healthily.