Gemma Massetti

Curriculum vitae

In 2017 I graduated with honours in Clinical and Developmental and Neuro-Psychology (M.Sc.) at the University of Milano-Bicocca, and in 2018 I achieved my qualification to practise as a Psychologist. During my program of studies, I learnt the use of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques (TMS and tDCS) to investigate the functioning of brain networks and the neural bases of cognitive processes in healthy subjects. Successively, I deepened clinical neuropsychology, spending my first semester of traineeship at Centro E. Spalenza – Fondazione Don Gnocchi in Rovato (Brescia), with patients affected by acquired brain injuries (ABI). My passion for this field encouraged me to expand my knowledge, achieving a Second Cycle Degree in Music Therapy at the Conservatory G. Frescobaldi of Ferrara, with a thesis about severe acquired brain injuries (sABI). Finally, at the Department of Psychology of the University of Milano-Bicocca and in collaboration with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, I spent my second semester of traineeship doing research on designing, implementing and testing new technologies applied to the neuropsychological assessment and neurorehabilitation. This field is currently my main area of research.

Research project

Assessing the effects of multisensory stimulation through new technologies on patients with acquired brain injury.

  • Track: Clinical Neuroscience
  • Tutor: Prof. Alberto Gallace
  • Supervisor: Prof. Giuseppe Vallar

In the last few years interactive devices that exploit multisensory stimulation and augmented or virtual reality have been showing a variety of potential benefits for many aspects of rehabilitation assessment, treatment and research. Furthermore, the introduction of a peculiar design of those devices based on the concept of user centred approach could even empower their beneficial effects.

Initial applications of those devices in other fields of medicine and psychology have yielded encouraging results, but continued research and understanding of those evolving technologies will be crucial for its effective integration into the rehabilitation of patients with an acquired brain injury (ABI).

Therefore, my PhD project aims first to compare the effectiveness of different types of multisensory stimuli on the neuromotor rehabilitation of patients with ABI. Then, the second aim is to support the design and development of new devices that can be easily used by physiotherapists and neuropsychologists for the assessment and the rehabilitation of patients with ABI.  Eventually, the third aim is to clinically validate the devices developed, by testing them on both patients and neurologically healthy people.

Publications and congresses

ARTICLES:

  • Panagiotopoulou, L., Cía Gayarre, N., Scurati, G. W., Etzi, R., Massetti, G., Gallace, A., & Ferrise, F. (2021). Design of a serious game for children to raise awareness on plastic pollution and promoting pro-environmental behaviors. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 21(6), 064502.
  • Etzi, R., Gallace, A., Massetti, G., D’Agostino, M., Cinquetti, V., Ferrise, F., & Bordegoni, M. (2020). Conveying trunk orientation information through a wearable tactile interface. Applied Ergonomics, 88, 103176.
  • Tagliabue, L. C., Scurati, G. W., Massetti G., et al. (2020). Testing multisensory stimuli to drive thermal comfort and space perception using VR/AR: a design strategy to achieve energy saving. Journal of Architectural Research and Development, 4(1).
  • Proverbio, A. M., Massetti, G., Rizzi, E., & Zani, A. (2016). Skilled musicians are not subject to the McGurk effect. Scientific reports, 6, 30423.

POSTER AND CONFERENCES:

  • “Riabilitazione neuropsicologica: dal contesto ospedaliero al reinserimento sociale, un caso emblematico.” (Oral presentation) Maietti A. & Massetti G. Conference: Neuropsicologia e Neurologia Comportamentale in Ospedale – III Convegno Annuale, Virtual Forum, 15th,22nd,29th April 2021
  • “Feeling engaged and relaxed: a comparison between natural and urban virtual environments.” (Poster) Massetti G., Frigione I., Etzi R., Scurati G., Ferrise F., Chirico A., Gaggioli A., Gallace A.
    Conference: European Conference on Digital Psychology, Virtual Forum, 19-20th February 2021
  • “The effect of virtual environments of attentional performances and relaxation.” (Poster)
    Frigione I., Massetti G., Etzi R., Scurati G., Ferrise F., Chirico A., Gaggioli A., Gallace A.
    Conference: 6th NeuroMI International Meeting, Virtual Forum, 18th December 2020
  • “Does all music feel the same? Musical anhedonia after right braindamage: an hemispheric difference.” (Poster) Massetti G., Redolfi A., Casati C., Vedovato C., Punzi E., Vallar G.
    Conference: 5th NeuroMI International Meeting, Milano, 20-22 Novembre 2019

Further info

Elisabetta Donzelli
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