AccScience Publishing / JCTR / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/JCTR025440077
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REVIEW ARTICLE

Emerging rehabilitation technologies in Guillain–Barré syndrome: Advances, challenges, and future directions – A systematic scoping review

Ghodsiyeh Joveini1 ,  Roya Khamooshi2 ,  Sahar Boozari3*
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1 Occupational Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
2 Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
3 Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
JCTR, 025440077 https://doi.org/10.36922/JCTR025440077
Received: 31 October 2025 | Revised: 25 November 2025 | Accepted: 4 January 2026 | Published online: 17 April 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) causes acute flaccid paralysis and long-term motor and functional deficits, often necessitating prolonged, multidisciplinary rehabilitation. In recent years, rapid advances in biomedical and digital technologies have broadened the therapeutic landscape for neurorehabilitation; however, their use and methodological quality in GBS have not yet been comprehensively reviewed. Objective: This scoping review systematically maps and synthesizes emerging rehabilitation technologies in GBS, grouping them into five clusters: robotics, electrical/biofeedback therapies, virtual and telerehabilitation, augmented reality/sensor-based systems, and hybrid/interactive platforms. It integrates both primary studies (n = 18) and systematic reviews (n = 3) to assess outcome trends (motor recovery, functional independence, and secondary measures such as quality of life, usability, and engagement) and to evaluate methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s critical appraisal tools. Relevance for patients: The mapping of technologies demonstrated consistent improvements in motor recovery and functional outcomes among GBS survivors, especially with robotic and electrical/biofeedback therapies. High-quality evidence (≥80% “Yes”) predominated in this area, supporting the safe and effective integration of technology-based rehabilitation. The review highlights the clinical relevance of engineering-assisted, interactive strategies that foster adaptive, personalized recovery and enhance patient engagement throughout long-term neurorehabilitation.

Graphical abstract
Keywords
Guillain–Barré syndrome
Rehabilitation technology
Neurorehabilitation
Biomedical engineering
Scoping review
JBI critical appraisal
PRISMA-ScR
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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Journal of Clinical and Translational Research, Electronic ISSN: 2424-810X Print ISSN: 2382-6533, Published by AccScience Publishing
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