Student Projects
Project Descriptions
Additional projects are always available. Please consult our list of ongoing research projects and contact the involved people listed on the top right to enquire about additional projects.
Special projects/internships:
Exploring upper limb impairments using explainable AI on Virtual Peg Insertion Test data
This thesis aims to apply explainable AI techniques to analyze time series data from the Virtual Peg Insertion Test (VPIT), uncovering additional metrics that describe upper limb impairments in neurological subjects, such as those with stroke, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. By preserving the full dimensionality of the data, the project will identify new patterns and insights to aid in understanding motor dysfunctions and support rehabilitation.
Keywords
Machine learning, rehabilitation, neurology, upper limb, impairment, explainable AI, SHAP, novel technology, assessment, computer vision, artificial intelligence
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Master Thesis
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Published since: 2025-02-18 , Earliest start: 2025-03-09
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Domnik Nadine
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Information, Computing and Communication Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Comparing the Virtual Peg Insertion Test (VPIT) with the haptic device Inverse3 for assessing upper limb function
This thesis will compare the Virtual Peg Insertion Test (VPIT) with the Inverse3 haptic device by Haply to evaluate its effectiveness as a tool for assessing upper limb function. The focus will be on comparing both the hardware features and software capabilities to determine if the Inverse3 can serve as a valid alternative to VPIT for clinical assessments.
Keywords
Haptic device, virtual environment, rehabilitation, programming, health technology, assessment, software, hardware
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Collaboration , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2025-02-18 , Earliest start: 2025-03-16
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Domnik Nadine
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Information, Computing and Communication Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Embedded algorithms of IMUs in a neurorehabilitation device
The goal of this project is to help develop embedded firmware for a imu based rehabilitation device. This project is part of the SmartVNS project which utilizes movement-gated control of vagus nerve stimulation for stroke rehabilitation.
Keywords
electrical engineering PCB Embedded systems neurorehabilitation
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Semester Project , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2025-02-14 , Earliest start: 2024-01-06 , Latest end: 2024-12-31
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Donegan Dane , Viskaitis Paulius
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Analysis and modelling of Neurophysiological Data from Multisensory Recordings during aVNS Experiments
Join our research project focused on analysing complex neurophysiological data collected during non-invasive brain stimulation experiments. This project aims to optimise brain stimulation protocols for future stroke rehabilitation by investigating neural responses to various stimulation parameters. The data includes electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), photoplethysmography (PPG), inertial measurement unit (IMU) readings, pupilometry, and galvanic skin response (GSR). We aim to model brain states based on these measurements to define brain circuitry outcomes from stimulation and movement interactions, using advanced techniques like connectivity-based biomarkers. This modeling will help generalise findings to broader brain states, such as valence, attention, and stress.
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Master Thesis
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Published since: 2025-02-14 , Earliest start: 2024-08-18 , Latest end: 2025-04-30
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Viskaitis Paulius
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Mathematical Sciences , Information, Computing and Communication Sciences
Feasibility of RehabCoach on Adherence to Unsupervised Robot-Assisted Therapy – Implementation and Evaluation of Smart Reminders
Adherence to rehabilitation therapy is essential for the recovery of hand functionality in stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. However, maintaining engagement outside clinical settings remains a challenge. This project involves a feasibility study to evaluate the adherence of patients using the RehabCoach app as part of a one-week unsupervised robot-assisted program simulation. The study assesses user engagement, app interaction patterns, and the effectiveness of push notifications/smart reminders in sustaining adherence to the training program. The key components of this research are the development of a smart algorithm for triggering push notifications based on specific user behaviors, such as therapy completion or inactivity, to optimize adherence, as well as conducting the study with a few participants.
Keywords
Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Rehabilitation Therapy, Adherence, Push Notifications, Mobile Health App, Interdisciplinary Research, Python, Django
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Semester Project , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2025-02-12 , Earliest start: 2025-02-16 , Latest end: 2025-11-30
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Retevoi Alexandra
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Information, Computing and Communication Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Benefits and challenges of promoting minimally supervised therapy in a rehabilitation clinic
Increasing the therapy time can benefit patients in multiple ways. Group therapy (e.g., technology-assisted) allows clinics to increase the therapy dose for patients without increasing the workload for therapists. However, in practical implementation, some challenges often arise (e.g., patients not liking it) that limit the efficacy of group therapy. The aim of this project is to gain practical experience with group therapy sessions (i.e., supporting group therapy sessions at the Clinica Hildebrand in Brissago), identify barriers and benefits related to group therapy, and propose guidelines to improve the integration of group therapy in clinical practice.
Keywords
practical internship, research internship, clinical work, technology-assisted therapy, group therapy, minimally supervised therapy
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Internship
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Published since: 2025-02-12 , Earliest start: 2025-03-01 , Latest end: 2025-10-31
Applications limited to ETH Zurich , EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne , Università della Svizzera italiana
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Devittori Giada
Topics Medical and Health Sciences
Coding Framework for Synchronisation of EEG and DBS Data
To synchronise data recorded from subcortical and cortical neural activity of Parkinson's patients, a coding framework needs to be established.
Keywords
neural activity data, signal processing, Parkinson's disease
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Semester Project , Internship , Lab Practice , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2025-01-30 , Earliest start: 2025-01-30 , Latest end: 2025-07-31
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Salzmann Lena, MSc
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Advancing Wearable Brain Imaging for Everyday Applications
Join us in revolutionizing brain imaging technologies and make it accessible for everyday use. Near-infrared imaging (NIRI) is an emerging technology that enables cost-effective and precise brain measurements, helping to improve neurotherapies and brain health.
Keywords
brain imaging, neuro, wearables, health, startup
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Internship
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Published since: 2025-01-23 , Earliest start: 2024-01-25 , Latest end: 2024-06-26
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Wyser Dominik
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Information, Computing and Communication Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Multisensory assessment of physiological markers during neural stimulation for stroke rehabilitation
Project goal is to assess outcomes of a non-invasive brain stimulator for future application in stroke rehabilitation. This will involve using an exciting novel method of brain stimulation together with simultaneous multisensory recordings of various physiological parameters, including heart rate, galvanic skin response, pupillometry and electroencephalogram (EEG). The results of the project will help develop brain stimulation protocols that elicit meaningful neural responses in healthy subjects, and in stroke patients.
Keywords
neural stimulation, neural biomarkers, neurophysiology, physiology, neuroscience, EEG, pupillometry
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Semester Project , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2024-11-11 , Earliest start: 2023-06-01
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Viskaitis Paulius , Donegan Dane
Topics Engineering and Technology
Real-time control of neural stimulation for stroke patients.
Real-time analysis of movement kinematics can benefit multiple different strategies in rehabilitation after stroke, including allowing closed-loop brain stimulation. Use of inertial measurement units (IMUs) allows detection of movement and extraction of kinematic features, but application in real-time remains challenging. This project will develop algorithms for real-time movement data analysis and feature extraction in typical rehabilitation tasks and general real-life movements. In turn, these algorithms will be applied to control novel brain stimulation approaches in stroke neurorehabilitation.
Keywords
Inertial measurement unit, IMU, movement tracking, machine learning, real-time, signal processing
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Semester Project , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2024-11-11 , Earliest start: 2023-05-09
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Viskaitis Paulius , Donegan Dane
Topics Engineering and Technology
Mechanistic Evaluation of taVNS in Motor Adaptation for Stroke Rehabilitation
This study aims to evaluate the mechanisms by which transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) may facilitate motor learning and adaptation, focusing on reticulospinal tract (RST) activation. A set of assessments will be used to build a comprehensive neurophysiological profile, providing insights relevant to developing taVNS-based clinical interventions. In this role, you will engage in study design, data collection, and analysis, gaining hands-on experience in mechanistic neurophysiological research with direct clinical applications.
Keywords
Transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) Reticulospinal tract (RST) Motor learning StartReact paradigm Stroke rehabilitation Neurophysiology Multisite EMG Motor pathway activation Clinical neurostimulation
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Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2024-11-11 , Earliest start: 2024-11-24 , Latest end: 2025-10-26
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Viskaitis Paulius
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Development of flexible, biocompatible electrodes for vagus nerve stimulation therapy
Stroke is the most common cause of disability and as many as 14 million people suffer a stroke every year. Typical therapy today is focused on physical exercises and rarely combats the core of the problem - the interactions between the motor actions and the activity patterns of the injured brain. Therefore, we are developing a cutting-edge medical device that helps combine physical therapy with a non-invasive brain stimulation. This is expected to boost recovery after stroke and make this advanced neuro-therapy accessible to millions of people who need it.
Keywords
Biocompatibility Conductive Materials Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) Stroke Rehabilitation Therapy Medical Device Engineering Electrode Design and Prototyping Materials Science Biomedical Engineering Neurorehabilitation Clinical Usability Patient-Centred Design
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Semester Project , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2024-11-11 , Earliest start: 2024-11-24 , Latest end: 2025-10-31
Organization Rehabilitation Engineering Lab
Hosts Viskaitis Paulius
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology
If you would like to carry out a Studies on Mechatronics project in our group, please contact the assistant working on, or closest to, the research topic you are interested in.
We currently have an open studies on mechatronics project aiming to evaluate and compare mechatronic designs for sensory/mechanical stimulation and massage of the feet. If interested, please contact .
Your Own Project Ideas?
It is always possible to find a project for motivated students with innovative ideas in the fields of rehabilitation, assistive and healthcare technology as well as haptics and motor learning. Please contact us if you would like to pursue a project which is not on the list above.