Recently, West China Hospital (WCH) and Elsevier, an internationally renowned academic publisher have jointly launched an English-language international academic journal in the field of rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Research, and formally signed an Open Access publishing cooperation agreement. The establishment of the journal marks an important step forward for the hospital in building an international academic publishing platform in rehabilitation, and will provide a high-level platform for exchange in scientific research and clinical practice in rehabilitation medicine across China and globally.

The journal is co-edited by Professor He Chengqi, Vice President of the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Director of the Rehabilitation Medicine Center of WCH; Professor John Downes, Vice President of Life University in the United States; and Professor Wei Quan, Vice Chairman of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and from WCH’s Rehabilitation Medicine Center. Renowned rehabilitation professionals from the United States, Canada, Australia, Belgium, and Hong Kong, China, serve as associate editors and editorial board members.

At present, the discipline of rehabilitation is in a critical stage of accelerated development and increasing interdisciplinary integration. The deep integration of clinical medicine, engineering technologies, and data science continues to drive new theoretical and technological advances. However, most existing international journals focus on specific subfields of rehabilitation, lacking a comprehensive platform that spans the entire discipline. Rehabilitation Research focuses on research and development across the full spectrum of rehabilitation, covering areas such as neurorehabilitation, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, critical care rehabilitation, geriatric and pediatric rehabilitation, sports rehabilitation, chronic pain rehabilitation, as well as rehabilitation engineering and education. It also emphasizes the application of cutting-edge technologies—including artificial intelligence, robotics, brain–computer interfaces, wearable devices, and biomaterials—in rehabilitation. Accepted article types include Original Research Articles, Reviews, Commentary, Perspectives, and Letters.

Professor He Chengqi, Professor John Downes, and Professor Wei Quan serve as Co-Editors-in-Chief of Rehabilitation Research.

The submission system for Rehabilitation Research will be launched soon. The journal will waive Open Access fees from 2026 to 2030. In addition, a fast-track peer review mechanism will be established for highly innovative Original Research Articles, with peer review and acceptance completed in as little as one week, enhancing the dissemination efficiency of high-quality research outcomes.