Paper #9

ROBUST Project: Advancing Ubiquitous eHealth Solutions for Fracture Orthopaedic Rehabilitation

Joaquim Bastos, Raed A. Abd-Alhameed, Evanthia Karavatselou, Jorge Martins and Valdemar Monteiro

Abstract: The ROBUST (Ubiquitous eHealth Solution for Fracture Orthopaedic Rehabilitation) project represents a pioneering research and innovation initiative. This position paper presents the project's comprehensive approach to revolutionizing bone fracture care through the development of an innovative mobile eHealth platform that integrates advanced RF-based sensing technologies, secure IoT infrastructure, and artificial intelligence-driven rehabilitation protocols. Europe's rapidly ageing population presents unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems, with osteoporosis alone causing over 3.2 million leg and hip fractures annually in those aged 50 and above, with up to 10% becoming non-unions that lead to prolonged immobility, repeated hospital visits, and soaring healthcare costs. ROBUST addresses this critical societal need by developing a smart, connected eHealth solution that enables remote monitoring of patients' healing processes while preserving control, safety, and privacy through reliable and energy-efficient mechanisms. After the first 30 months of execution, the project has achieved significant milestones including the development of active RF-based sensors for non-invasive bone density monitoring, implementation of secure body area network with advanced cybersecurity mechanisms, creation of prototype mobile application for patient-centred care, and establishment of a comprehensive system architecture that encompasses telemonitoring and telerehabilitation functionalities. The consortium's interdisciplinary approach combines expertise from five leading European institutions spanning academia and industry, fostering knowledge transfer and innovation through a structured secondment program that has facilitated cross-sector collaboration and skills development. This research contributes to the advancement of digital health technologies by providing evidence-based solutions that could save hundreds of millions of euros in annual healthcare costs through reduced hospital stays and readmissions, while supporting personalized at-home guidance that enhances solution adoption and reduces caregiver burden. The project's outcomes establish a foundation for scalable, multidisciplinary bone fracture care with broad benefits for Europe's ageing population and demonstrate the potential for mobile applications in healthcare to address pressing societal challenges.

Keywords: Bone fracture monitoring; Cybersecurity; eHealth; Internet of Things (IoT); RF-based sensing; Telerehabilitation.