Sara Arlati

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, National Research Council

Papers

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About

Sara Arlati is a researcher dedicated to transforming post-stroke rehabilitation through human-centered virtual reality. Her work focuses on a critical shift: moving beyond the technology itself to place the patient’s experience and active participation at the core of recovery. Arlati’s key contributions lie in designing VR systems that strengthen patient awareness and personification during rehabilitation. Her most cited work, "A virtual reality system for strengthening awareness and participation in rehabilitation for post-stroke patients" (2015, 15 citations), demonstrates how immersive environments can empower individuals to become more engaged in their own therapy. She further explores this theme by integrating multimedia and VR to enhance the patient’s sense of self and agency in the recovery process. Her research challenges the field to prioritize the human element over purely technological advancement, arguing that the most effective systems are those that resonate with the patient’s personal journey. With a growing body of work, Arlati is establishing herself as a thoughtful voice in the intersection of VR, healthcare, and patient-centered design, advocating for rehabilitation that is not only effective but also deeply meaningful.