Mapping Nordic Rehabilitation Pathways – LAB’s Collaboration with Blautic and Eurofitness

What does a rehabilitation journey look like in different Nordic countries—and how could it be improved? At LAB University of Applied Sciences, a new collaboration with Blautic and Eurofitness turns this question into applied research, practical insights, and innovation opportunities within the European I3-INSHAPE ecosystem.

Authors: Hanna Laine & Eero Seppälä

LAB University of Applied Sciences has initiated a new collaboration with Spanish health tech company Blautic and Catalan wellness provider Eurofitness. The partnership is part of the I3-INSHAPE project, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in scaling up health and sports technologies across Europe (EPSI 2025). The current focus is on understanding the Nordic rehabilitation landscape, particularly in relation to non-specific low back pain.

Thesis Research as a Bridge Between Academia and Industry

A master’s student at LAB is conducting a comparative study of treatment recommendations and healthcare processes for non-specific low back pain across Nordic countries. The research investigates national guidelines, care pathways in both public and private sectors, and the integration of the biopsychosocial model into rehabilitation practices. As a result, the study draws a concrete picture of the journey of a patient within the rehabilitation process and emphasizes the potential similarities and differences of the patient’s path in neighboring countries.

This approach supports Blautic and Eurofitness in identifying market opportunities and in understanding which are the typical points along the way where patients receive or lack rehabilitation. It also strengthens LAB’s role as an experienced facilitator of knowledge-based innovation. This is the meeting point where academic knowledge and business practice can come together to support each other.

Understanding the Biopsychosocial Model in Nordic Care

One of the core concepts emerging in the analysis of Nordic practices is the biopsychosocial model. It emphasizes the connections between physical, psychological, and social factors in treatment. In addition to biological factors, psychosocial elements are central in chronic pain. Patient care that is based on this model has been recognized as the most effective approach to managing chronic pain. (Kalso 2020.) The holistic approach of the study aligns well with Blautic’s technology, which includes wearable EMG sensors, motion tracking, and AI-driven feedback systems designed to support personalized rehabilitation (Blautic 2025). By connecting the findings of the study with scalable digital tools, the development of user-centered health technologies can be effectively supported. Additionally, by examining how the biopsychosocial model is implemented across different countries, the study helps identify where Blautic and Eurofitness products and services can be most meaningfully integrated—both into clinical environments and into the hands of end-users.

LAB’s Role in the I3-INSHAPE Ecosystem – IBS Manager Perspective

In the I3‑INSHAPE ecosystem, LAB University of Applied Sciences acts as a practical interface connecting companies, research, and regional innovation environments, facilitating collaboration that supports shared value creation. Innovation ecosystems can be seen as dynamic configurations of actors, activities, and institutional arrangements that influence innovation performance (Granstrand & Holgersson, 2020). At the same time, innovation policies and support practices strongly influence how these ecosystems function in practice (Beaudry, Burger‑Helmchen, & Cohendet, 2021).

A central element of LAB’s contribution is the Innovation and Business Support (IBS) function, which connects SMEs to the wider INSHAPE network. In practice, this involves working with companies to clarify development needs, identify complementary competences, and structure innovation activities as part of interregional value chains. Such facilitation is particularly important in scaling phases, where progress depends not only on technological and market readiness but also on coordination between multiple actors and support instruments (Beaudry et al., 2021).

Within collaborations such as the work with Blautic and Eurofitness, this role becomes concrete. The thesis research conducted at LAB does not only generate academic knowledge but also functions as a targeted market and ecosystem analysis. By mapping rehabilitation pathways and identifying gaps in service provision, the study supports companies in understanding where and how their solutions could be integrated into existing care structures. From an IBS perspective, this type of applied research helps align innovation activities with both ecosystem dynamics and real market needs.

LAB’s contribution is further reinforced by its ability to integrate student involvement, applied research, and real-life testing environments. These elements provide companies with accessible opportunities to explore user needs, test usability, and refine service concepts in authentic contexts. At the ecosystem level, this supports learning and adaptation across organizational boundaries, which are key characteristics of effective innovation ecosystems (Granstrand & Holgersson, 2020).

Another important part of the IBS role is matchmaking and ecosystem navigation. While INSHAPE brings together a wide range of actors across regions, meaningful collaboration requires identifying the right connections at the right stage of development. LAB supports this process by helping companies articulate their needs and by connecting them with relevant partners, infrastructures, and support services within the network.

This collaboration illustrates how applied research, student work, and ecosystem facilitation can jointly support the scaling of health innovations in Europe. Overall, LAB’s role in the I3‑INSHAPE ecosystem can be described as enabling structured collaboration and shared learning. By linking companies, students, and research activities into the same development processes, LAB helps transform individual innovation efforts into coordinated, user-centered, and scalable solutions within the European health and sports ecosystem. Ultimately, this type of collaboration helps ensure that new rehabilitation solutions are not only technologically advanced, but also aligned with real care pathways, user needs, and system-level realities.

References

EPSI. 2025. I3-INSHAPE. Cited 2.9.2025. Available at https://old.epsi.eu/project/inshape/

Beaudry, C., Burger‑Helmchen, T. & Cohendet, P. 2021. Editorial: Innovation policies and practices within innovation ecosystems. Industry and Innovation. Vol. 28 (5), 535–544. Cited 18 May 2026. Available at https://doi.org/10.1080/13662716.2021.1929870

Blautic. 2025. eHealth – IoT for Health Science. Cited 2 Sep 2025. Available at https://blautic.com/en/ehealth-iot-for-health-science

Granstrand, O. & Holgersson, M. 2020. Innovation ecosystems: A conceptual review and a new definition. Technovation. Vol. 90–91. Cited 18 May 2026. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2019.102098

The I3-INSHAPE Project. 2025. Cites 18 May 2026. Available at https://www.i3-inshape.eu/the-project

Kalso, E. 2020. Miten kipuklinikka hoitaa potilaita monialaisesti? Lääketieteellinen Aikakauskirja Duodecim. Vol.136 (22), 2444-2446. Cited 2 Sep 2025. Available at https://www.duodecimlehti.fi/duo15884

Authors

Hanna Laine, Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Expert in INSHAPE Project, LAB University of Applied Sciences

Eero Seppälä, Development Expert, Innovation Business Support Manager in INSHAPE Project, LAB University of Applied Sciences

Illustration: Collaboration between universities of applied sciences and companies creates mutual value through innovation and shared expertise (image: Copilot / Hanna Laine).