Space poses substantial challenges for humans, leading to physiological adaptations in response to an environment vastly different from Earth. A comprehensive understanding of these physiological adaptations is necessary to develop effective countermeasures that support human life in space. This narrative review first focuses on the impact of the space environment on the musculoskeletal system. It highlights the complex interplay between bone and muscle adaptations and their implications on astronaut health. Despite advances in current countermeasures, such as resistive exercise and pharmacological interventions, they remain partially effective, bulky, and resource-intensive, posing challenges for future missions aboard compact spacecraft. This review proposes wearable sensing and robotic technologies as promising alternatives to overcome these limitations. Wearable systems, such as sensor-integrated suits and (soft) exoskeletons, can provide real-time monitoring, dynamic loading, and exercise protocols tailored to individual needs. These systems are lightweight, modular, and capable of operating in confined environments, making them ideal for long-duration missions. In addition to space applications, wearable technologies hold considerable promise for terrestrial uses. They could support rehabilitation and assistance for the aging population and individuals with musculoskeletal disorders, and enhance physical performance in healthy users. By integrating advanced materials, sensors, actuators, and intelligent, energy-efficient control, these technologies can bridge gaps in current countermeasures while enabling broader applications on Earth.

The healthcare sector is challenged by critical workforce shortages, and this is causing an urgent need for innovative technologies to support or augment human roles. Although much of the research effort has focused on support and training of functional tasks, the emotional impacts that humans bring to the loop have often been overlooked. This gap is particularly pressing in healthcare and therapy, where empathy and emotional support are central to patient well-being. Unlike machines, humans possess a unique capacity for empathy, connecting emotionally with others and providing the essential support that fosters healing. Bridging this gap requires integrating affective elements, such as empathy, into therapeutic systems, which is the key to improving their effectiveness. This review explores groundbreaking techniques that integrate interpersonal interactions within therapy and healthcare, focusing on multiplayer games that strengthen real-time social connections, alongside social robots and virtual agents designed to simulate human-like affective interactions. Using artificial intelligence, these technologies aim to replicate complex human dynamics and foster artificial empathy, thus revolutionizing how we deliver care and support.