Martijn ten Bhömer

This paper examines the integration of smart textiles and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, focusing on the shift from monitoring to proactive interventions. Through a series of case studies, it identifies generic design challenges and opportunities for proactive healthcare applications and explores design qualities within Smart Textiles, Data & AI, and Embodiment to guide future practices. Findings emphasize the strategic integration of sensors within textile structures, enabling embodied feedback mechanisms, enhancing user engagement and acceptance. Additionally, the study underscores how participatory design approaches can foster long-term health behaviors, reduce burdens on healthcare systems, and enhance patient autonomy by actively involving users and healthcare professionals in the design process. While this work identifies new avenues for proactive and holistic healthcare solutions, it also addresses challenges related to AI-driven data handling, privacy, and ethical concerns, reinforcing the need for transparent, secure, and ethically responsible practices as these technologies advance.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) affects motor coordination, resulting in slow walking and irregular step and stride lengths. Effective rehabilitation exercises are essential for strengthening leg muscles and enhancing mobility in children with CP. However, traditional hospital rehabilitation programs often lack engagement, making it challenging for children to maintain consistent participation. Additionally, many advanced lower extremity rehabilitation systems remain largely inaccessible. This study introduces an interactive gaming carpet combined with intelligent gait pattern analysis to enhance rehabilitation efforts. The gaming carpet employs visual and auditory cues to train leg coordination and correct stepping patterns, making the exercises more engaging for children. Meanwhile, the intelligent gait analysis system provides therapists with objective data to assess conditions and develop personalized exercise plans. Initial tests indicate that this system effectively engages children and improves adherence to rehabilitation exercises, while also providing accurate progress monitoring. This innovative approach demonstrates significant potential for integrating game-based interventions and data analysis into CP rehabilitation, offering practical solutions for both clinical and home-based settings.