Prof. Dr. Martina Spiess

Work at ZHAW

Position

Senior Research Associate and Lecturer

Focus

As a rehabilitation scientist, I am interested in the application of new technologies in rehabilitation, especially in how they can be optimally used to achieve the best possible results for clients.

Teaching

• MI.MED Fundamentals of Medicine, BSc Medical Informatics
• Reflected Clinical Practice / Evidence Based Medicine (continued Education)
• Technologies in Rehabilitation, several modules for the BSc in Occupational Therapy
• Supervision of BSc and MSc Theses for Occupational-, and Physical Therapists
• BA.XX.311 Scientific Communication (2021 - 2024)
• BA.XX.611 Advanced Course on Scientific Methods; Interprofessional education, BSc programs School of Health Sciences (2020-2024)
• ETH Zurich - Guest Lecturer - D-HEST Transfer of Technologies into Neurorehabilitation
• Guest lecturer Bern University of Applied Sciences CAS Neurorehabilitation
• University of Texas at El Paso - Guest Lecturer - Doctor in Physical Therapy Program

Experience

• Senior Clinical Research Coordinator
  Hocoma AG, Volketswil
  01 / 2018 - 06 / 2020
• Clinical Research Coordinator
  Hocoma AG, Volketswil
  06 / 2014 - 12 / 2017
• Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich
  Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich
  01 / 2012 - 12 / 2014
• Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich
  Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich
  09 / 2005 - 07 / 2008

Education and Continuing education

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Rehabilitation Sciences
  University of Florida
  08 / 2005 - 12 / 2012
• MPTSc / Physical Therapy Science
  Universities of Zurich and Maastricht (Joint Program)
  08 / 2002 - 10 / 2005
• Certified Physical Therapist (Swiss Red Cross)
  Physiotherapy School Leukerbad
  07 / 1996 - 02 / 2001

Continuing Education

• Certificate of Attendance: Policy Brief and Stakeholder Dialogue, 14 contact hours
  University of Lucerne, Swiss Health Learning System SHLS
  01 / 2024
• Certificate: Conducting an Intervention Review
  Cochrane Interactive Learning
  07 / 2023
• Attended 6 modules on augmentative and alternative communication of 14 contact hours each
  buk - Education for Augmentative and Alternative Communication
  06 / 2023
• Certificate of Advanced Studies in Digital Learning (12 ECTS)
  ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences
  10 / 2021
• AI for Everyone: Master the Basics
  edX / IBM AI and Data Science Program
  06 / 2021
• Qualitative Research Methods: Analyzing Data
  edX / Massachusetts Institute of Technology Online Learning Initiative
  06 / 2021
• Introduction to R
  ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences
  12 / 2020
• Qualitative Research Methods: Conversational Interviewing
  edX / Massachusetts Institute of Technology Online Learning Initiative
  11 / 2020
• Project management for researchers
  ZHAW - Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften
  06 / 2020
• Clinical Evaluation of Medical Products
  TÜV Süd
  03 / 2016
• University of Florida and NeuroRecovery Network
  Locomotor Training Course (28 contact hours)
  06 / 2011

Network

Membership of networks

• International Industry Society for Advanced Rehabilitation Technology (IISART; Past-President)
• Swiss Network for Digital Medical Regulation - Board Member
• International Consortium for Rehabilitation Technology (ICRT) - Secretary

ORCID digital identifier

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3945-0282

Social media

• LinkedIn
• ORCID
• Research Gate

Media presence

TEDx @ ZHAW April 2025; "How Working Together Works in the Field of Rehabilitation Technology"

Projects

• Data-based Optimization of Outcomes: Successful Technology-Supported Therapy / Co-project leader / ongoing
• Empowering Clinicians: A MOOC Initiative in Rehabilitation Technology / Co-project leader / completed
• Transforming clinical assessments: Explicitly articulating implicit clinical decision-making to train AI / Deputy project leader / completed
• Artificial Intelligence for Myoelectrically Controlled Cooperative Arm Prostheses: A proof-of-concept Study / Project leader / completed
• Technology Supported Education of Informal Caregivers of Individuals Living With Stroke / Project leader / completed
• Mobile Inclusion Lab / Project leader / completed
• Artificial Intelligence for Myoelectrically Controlled Cooperative Arm Prostheses / Co-project leader / completed
• Tele-Assessment: Leveraging Deep Learning to Assess Upper Limb Kinematics after Stroke with Off-the-shelf Webcams / Project leader / completed
• Linguistic and occupational therapy support for augmentative and alternative communication in young adults / Team member / completed
• Digital Health for parents facing language and cultural access barriers to the Swiss health system / Team member / completed

Publications

Articles in scientific journal, peer-reviewed

• Unger, T. et al. (2025) ‘Using deep learning to detect upper limb compensation in individuals post-stroke using consumer-grade webcams : a feasibility study’, Frontiers in Medicine, 12(1645369). doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1645369.
• Hankov, N. et al. (2025) ‘Augmenting rehabilitation robotics with spinal cord neuromodulation : a proof of concept’, Science Robotics, 10(100), p. eadn5564. doi: 10.1126/scirobotics.adn5564.
• Sauerzopf, L. et al. (2024) ‘Evaluating inter- and intra-rater reliability in assessing upper limb compensatory movements post-stroke : creating a ground truth through video analysis?’, Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 21(217). doi: 10.1186/s12984-024-01506-7.
• Sauerzopf, L. et al. (2024) ‘Technology use for home-based stroke rehabilitation in Switzerland from the perspectives of persons living with stroke, informal caregivers, and therapists : qualitative interview and focus group study’, JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, 2024(11), p. e59781. doi: 10.2196/59781.
• Sauerzopf, L. et al. (2024) ‘Remotely assessing motor function and activity of the upper extremity after stroke : a systematic review of validity and clinical utility of tele-assessments’, Clinical Rehabilitation, 38(9), pp. 1214–1225. doi: 10.1177/02692155241258867.
• Howland, D. R. et al. (2023) ‘Recovery of walking in nonambulatory children with chronic spinal cord injuries : case series’, Journal of Neuroscience Research, 101(6), pp. 826–842. doi: 10.1002/jnr.25162.
• Radu, I. et al. (2023) ‘Digital health for migrants, ethnic and cultural minorities and the role of participatory development : a scoping review’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(20), p. 6962. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20206962.
• Spiess, M. R., Steenbrink, F. and Esquenazi, A. (2018) ‘Getting the best out of advanced rehabilitation technology for the lower limbs : minding motor learning principles’, PM & R, 10(9S2), pp. S165–S173. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.06.007.
• Fox, E. J. et al. (2017) ‘Retraining walking adaptability following incomplete spinal cord injury’, Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 3(17091). doi: 10.1038/s41394-017-0003-1.
• Spiess, M. R. and Colombo, G. (2017) ‘Intensity : what rehabilitation technology can add to the subject’, Neurologie & Rehabilitation, 23(1), pp. 53–56.
• Petersen, J. A. et al. (2017) ‘Upper limb recovery in spinal cord injury : involvement of central and peripheral motor pathways’, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 31(5), pp. 432–441. doi: 10.1177/1545968316688796.
• Tester J., N. et al. (2014) ‘Long-term facilitation of ventilation in humans with chronic spinal cord injury’, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 189(1), pp. 57–65. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201305-0848OC.
• Petersen, J. A. et al. (2012) ‘Spinal cord injury : one-year evolution of motor-evoked potentials and recovery of leg motor function in 255 patients’, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 26(8), pp. 939–948. doi: 10.1177/1545968312438437.
• Kuhn, F. et al. (2012) ‘One-year evolution of ulnar somatosensory potentials after trauma in 365 tetraplegic patients : early prediction of potential upper limb function’, Journal of Neurotrauma, 29(10), pp. 1829–1837. doi: 10.1089/neu.2011.2277.
• Schuld, C. et al. (2012) ‘Computer implementation of the international standards for neurological classification of spinal cord injury for consistent and efficient derivation of its subscores including handling of data from not testable segments’, Journal of Neurotrauma, 29(3), pp. 453–461. doi: 10.1089/neu.2011.2085.
• Spiess, M. and Schuld, C. (2011) ‘Comment on ‘Restoration of walking function in an individual with chronic complete (AIS A) spinal cord injury’’, Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 43(4), pp. 367–368. doi: 10.2340/16501977-0781.
• Spiess, M. R. et al. (2009) ‘Conversion in ASIA impairment scale during the first year after traumatic spinal cord injury’, Journal of Neurotrauma, 26(11), pp. 2027–2036. doi: 10.1089/neu.2008.0760.
• Spiess, M. et al. (2008) ‘Evolution of tibial SSEP after traumatic spinal cord injury: baseline for clinical trials’, Clinical Neurophysiology, 119(5), pp. 1051–1061. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2008.01.021.

Book chapters, peer-reviewed

Esquenazi, A. et al. (2016) ‘Clinical application of robotics and technology in restoration of walking’, in David J., R. and Volker, D. (eds) Neurorehabilitation technology. Springer, pp. 223–248.

Written conference contributions, peer-reviewed

• Peterko, Y. and Spiess, M. (2025) ‘Supporting clinical decision making in the use of rehabilitation technology in neurorehabilitation : a study protocol’, in 1st EELISA PhD Symposium, Budapest, Hungary, 28-29 November 2025. Winterthur: ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-34805.
• Peterko, Y. et al. (2025) ‘“So, why did you do that?” : exploring therapists” reasoning and decision-making in the use of technology for neurorehabilitation: a preliminary analysis’, in MiNT UK 2025 ‘Neurotechnology in Practice: Measuring Impact on Patient Outcomes’, London, United Kingdom, 16 October 2025. Winterthur: ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-34707.
• Sauerzopf, L. et al. (2025) ‘Toward ground truth : evaluating therapists’ reliability in video-based assessment of upper limb compensatory movements post-stroke’, in RehabWeek, Chicago, USA, 12-16 May 2025.
• Hankov, N. et al. (2025) ‘Augmenting rehabilitation robotics with spinal cord neuromodulation : a proof of concept’, in RehabWeek, Chicago, USA, 12-16 May 2025.
• Arnold, M. et al. (2025) ‘Overcoming activity and participation limitations in children with unilateral congenital below elbow deficiency : a systematic review’, in RehabWeek, Chicago, USA, 12-16 May 2025.
• Ebneter, T. H. et al. (2025) ‘Exploring patient and therapist experiences with real-time telerehabilitation for musculoskeletal conditions : a rapid review’, in RehabWeek, Chicago, USA, 12-16 May 2025.
• Maeusli, V. et al. (2025) ‘Carers in focus : ongoing study on technological solutions to support stroke rehabilitation in Switzerland’, in RehabWeek, Chicago, USA, 12-16 May 2025.
• Sauerzopf, L. et al. (2024) ‘Are we ready for the use of tele-assessments? : insights for occupational therapists from a systematic review’, in 6. Kongress der Ergotherapie, Fribourg, Schweiz, 24.-25. Mai 2024.
• Unger, T. et al. (2024) ‘Quantifying upper limb movement quality after stroke with a webcam’, in 13th World Congress for Neurorehabilitation, Vancouver, Canada, 22-25 May 2024.
• Chavez Panduro, C. G. et al. (2024) ‘Movement analysis through videos in occupational therapy : insights from an ongoing research project for clinical practice’, in 6. Kongress der Ergotherapie, Fribourg, Schweiz, 24.-25. Mai 2024.
• Sauerzopf, L. and Spiess, M. (2024) ‘Empowering clinicians : an educational initiative to create a MOOC in rehabilitation technology’, in 6th Digital Health Lab Day, Winterthur, Switzerland, 3 September 2024. Winterthur: ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
• Sauerzopf, L. et al. (2023) ‘Use of technology-supported home exercise program in stroke rehabilitation : therapist’s perspectives’, in RehabWeek, Singapore, 24-28 September 2023.
• Sauerzopf, L. et al. (2023) ‘Meaning of the use of technology in everyday life after stroke’, in Occupational Science Europe Conference, Odense, Denmark, 24-26 August 2023.
• Brahmi, M. et al. (2023) ‘Movement identification of a myoelectric prosthesis by kinematic and EMG measurements’, in RehabWeek, Singapore, 24-28 September 2023.
• Arnold, M., Burggraf, L. and Spiess, M. (2023) ‘Prosthesis: help or hindrance? : recommendations for occupational therapists regarding children with a unilateral congenital transverse reduction defect distal the elbow’, in RehabWeek, Singapore, 24-28 September 2023.
• Hübscher, I. et al. (2023) ‘The role of discourse markers, backchannels and pauses on discourse structure in Alternative and Augmented Communication (AAC)’, in 18th International Pragmatics Conference (IPrA), Brussels, Belgium, 9-14 July 2023.
• Radu, I. et al. (2023) ‘Digitale Gesundheitsinterventionen für Migrant:innen und kulturellen Minderheiten : ein Scoping Review’, in 7. Winterthurer Hebammensymposium, Winterthur, Schweiz, 21. Januar 2023.
• Graf, E. et al. (2022) ‘Detecting cooperative hand movements based on electromyographic data : a proof of concept study’, in RehabWeek, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 25-29 July 2022.
• Touai, A. et al. (2022) ‘Prosthetic hand control with data correlation, ANN and shazam methods for SEMG signals classification’, in RehabWeek, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 25-29 July 2022.
• Spiess, M. et al. (2022) ‘Empowering young augmentative and alternative communication-users in their transition into adulthood’, in RehabWeek, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 25-29 July 2022.
• Frey, S. et al. (2022) ‘Artificial intelligence controlled cooperative arm prostheses : what do the users say?’, in RehabWeek, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 25-29 July 2022.
• Spiess, M. R. et al. (2012) ‘Unexpected recovery after robotic locomotor training at physiologic stepping speed : a single-case design’, in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Elsevier, pp. 1476–1484. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.02.030.

Other publications

• Peterko, Y. et al. (2025) ‘User-centered design (UCD) of a clinical decision support system (CDSS) in neurorehabilitation : a study protocol’, in Summer School ‘Towards a Continuum of Technology-assisted Therapy (TCTT)’, Brissago, Switzerland, 23-27 June 2025. Winterthur: ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-34708.
• Frey, S. et al. (2023) ‘AIMAP – Artificial Intelligence Myoelectrical Arm Prothesis : proof of concept study’, in 5th Digital Health Lab Day, Winterthur, Switzerland, 24 August 2023. Winterthur: ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. doi: 10.21256/zhaw-31633.
• Frey, S. et al. (2022) ‘Implementation of user-centred design for an AI-controlled cooperative arm prosthesis’, in 4. Digital Health Lab Day, Winterthur, Schweiz, 12. September 2022.

Oral conference contributions and abstracts

• Koh, Z. et al. (2025) ‘Innovating neurorehabilitation education : designing a metaverse to bridge academia, clinical practice and industry’, in RehabWeek, Chicago, USA, 12-16 May 2025.
• Spiess, M. (2024) ‘Stellenwert von neuen Technologien in der Rehabilitation über das «Continuum of Care» : Stand 2024’, in Reha-Kongress, Zürich, Schweiz, 17-18 November 2024.
• Graf, E. and Spiess, M. (2024) ‘Einsatz von Technologien in der integrierten Versorgung : die therapeutische Perspektive im interprofessionellen Setting’, in Symposium Geriatrie, Winterthur, Schweiz, 16 November 2024.
• Sauerzopf, L. et al. (2024) ‘Transforming clinical assessments : rater reliability in video-based evaluation of upper extremity after stroke’, in Annual Conference of the Swiss Society for Biomedical Engineering (SSBE), Winterthur, Switzerland, 5 September 2024.
• Monhart, M., Spescha, N. and Spiess, M. (2024) ‘Technik und Ich : Berufsidentität von Ergotherapeut:innen bei der Anwendung von Rehabilitationstechnologien in der Neurologie ’, in 6. Kongress der Ergotherapie, Fribourg, Schweiz, 24.-25. Mai 2024.
• Sauerzopf, L. and Spiess, M. (2024) ‘Auf Distanz reliable Assessments durchführen? : Erkenntnisse aus einem aktuellen Forschungsprojekt’, in 7. Winterthurer Ergo-Gipfel, Winterthur, Schweiz, 2. März 2024.
• Spescha, N., Monhart, M. and Spiess, M. (2024) ‘Technik und Ich : Berufsidentität von Ergotherapeut:innen bei der Anwendung von Rehabilitationstechnologien in der Neurologie’, in 7. Winterthurer Ergo-Gipfel, Winterthur, Schweiz, 2. März 2024. Available at: https://www.zhaw.ch/de/gesundheit/institute-zentren/ier/winterthurer-ergo-gipfel/7-winterthurer-ergo-gipfel/programm-7-winterthurer-ergo-gipfel/.
• Sauerzopf, L. et al. (2023) ‘Boosting the implementation of tele-assessments for individuals with stroke’, in RehabWeek, Singapore, 24-28 September 2023.
• Graf, E. et al. (2023) ‘Holistic development and implementation of rehabilitation technologies’, in RehabWeek, Singapore, 24-28 September 2023.
• Spiess, M. (2023) ‘Clinical application of rehabilitation technology : the importance of pairing artificial with human intelligence’, in 7th European Congress of NeuroRehabilitation, Lyon, France, 30 August - 2 September 2023.
• Strub, S. et al. (2023) ‘Funktionshand : ein alter Zopf?’, in 36. Jahrestagung der Deutschsprachigen Medizinischen Gesellschaft für Paraplegiologie (DMGP), Nottwil, Schweiz, 19.-22. April 2023.
• Spiess, M. (2023) ‘Upper limb technology supported rehabilitation’, in IET The Institution of Engineering and Technology Summer Webinar Series, Upper Limb Rehabilitation 2023, online, 19 April 2023.
• Sauerzopf, L., Luft, A. and Spiess, M. (2022) ‘Implementation of tools for technology-based teleassessment of sensorimotor recovery after stroke’, in 19th International Medical Ph.D. Conference, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, 24-25 November 2022.
• Spiess, M. (2022) ‘Robotik in der Medizin : eine Patentlösung für unser Gesundheitssystem?’, in Verband Zürcher Krankenhäuser (VZK) Tagung Gesundheitsversorgung, Zürich, Schweiz, 8. November 2022.
• Hübscher, I. et al. (2022) ‘Gemeinsam junge Menschen ermächtigen : wie Linguistik und Ergotherapie zusammenspannen’, in 7. UK Symposium: ‘Mitten im Leben’, FHNW Olten, Schweiz, 31. August 2022.
• Klamroth-Marganska, V. and Spiess, M. (2022) ‘It takes three to assist : users, clinicians and engineers together design client-centered assistive devices’, in RehabWeek, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 25-29 July 2022.
• Spiess, M. (2020) ‘Rehabilitation technology : what it can and cannot do now and in the future’, in Canadian Physical Therapy Association, Neurological Section, Lunch Talk Series, online, 29 April 2020.
• Spiess, M. (2019) ‘Why therapists cannot trade their brain for technology (yet)’, in 14th Clinical Research Forum (CRF): Technologies and robotics for therapy, Zurich, Switzerland, 2 November 2019.
• Spiess, M. (2019) ‘Optimale Anwedung der Rehabilitationstechnologie in der Praxis’, in Symposium 50 Jahre Zentrum für Rückenmarksverletzte in der BG Unfallklinik Murnau, Murnau, Deutschland, 20.-21. September 2019.
• Spiess, M. (2019) ‘Rehabilitation technology in the rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injury’, in Neuroplasticity Symposium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, 28 June 2019.
• Spiess, M. (2019) ‘Rehabilitation technology : how to help therapists improve training’, in MedtecLIVE, Nuremberg, Germany, 21-23 May 2019.

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