A Scoping Review on Rehabilitation Systems Adopting Artificial Intelligence to Boost Motivation

Physical rehabilitation helps patients recover from injury and regain functional independence, but social and structural determinants of health, including living conditions, income, and transportation, can limit access to in-person care. Telerehabilitation addresses many of these barriers by enabling patients to complete therapy at home while supporting remote monitoring. However, the lack of direct supervision may reduce patient engagement, motivation, and adherence to prescribed exercises. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer opportunities to develop adaptive, personalized rehabilitation systems that enhance the effectiveness of self-directed therapy. This scoping review examines current developments in AI-driven rehabilitation, focusing on the techniques used, evaluation methods employed, and user experiences reported across studies. By synthesizing recent research, the review identifies emerging trends, common challenges, and opportunities for future AI-enabled telerehabilitation systems that improve patient engagement and support long-term rehabilitation outcomes.