Prof. Matthias Ertl, PhD

Associate Professor of Experimental Rehabilitation Science
T +41 41 229 58 23
matthias.ertl@unilu.ch
Frohburgstrasse 3, Raum 1.B10
CV
Matthias Ertl is an associate professor of experimental rehabilitation science at the University of Lucerne. After completing his studies in Munich, he spent three years researching at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf before moving to the Department of Neurology at the University of Munich (LMU), where he received his doctorate in 2016 and subsequently worked as a postdoctoral fellow. In 2018, he joined the Institute of Psychology at the University of Bern, where he obtained his habilitation in 2022. In 2024, he was appointed head of physiotherapy development at the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital.
His work focuses on the interaction between sensorimotor skills and cognition, particularly on the neural correlates of processing balance information, perceptual learning (e.g. training for fall prevention), spatial memory and navigation. He uses a broad methodological spectrum (EEG, (f)MRI, VR). Additionally, he contributes to scientific open-source software packages as co-developer (e.g. PlatformCommander).
Publications
- Aeschlimann, S., Klein, A., Zubler, F., Schankin, C., & Ertl, M. (2025). Electroencephalographic Resting-State Microstates are Unstable in Visual Snow Syndrome. Brain and Behavior. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70374
- Ertl, M., & Gurtner, L. (2024). Human sciences can increase technology acceptance in rehabilitation science: a call for action. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 5. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14882144
- Vestibular perceptual learning improves self-motion perception, posture, and gait in older adults. (2024). Communications Biology. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06802-5
- Wyssen, G., Morrison, M., Ertl, M., Szukics, A., Korda, A., Wyss, T., … Mast, F. W. (2025). Cognitive functions in ultra - high magnetic fields: Specific Influence of Magnetic Vestibular Stimulation on Mental Rotation in 7T MR. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/fpq5v_v1
- Minder, A., McAssey, M., & Ertl, M. (2025). Probing the Influence of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation on Risk-Taking: A Replication and Extension Study. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/6q2nz
- Schnyder, S., Wyssen, G., & Ertl, M. (2025). Spatial Perspective Taking during Passive Whole-Body Rotation: A Replication of van Elk and Blanke (2014). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/eb87d_v1
Achievements
- Challenging the status quo - results from replication experiments in vestibular cognition. Lecture, 34th ZüMüTü Oculomotor and Vestibular meeting, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Zürich, 2025
- Neural Correlates of Self-Motion Perception Training in Older Adults. Poster, CNS 2025 Annual Meeting, Cognitive Neuroscience Society, Boston, 2025
- Neue Horizonte in der Sturzprävention. Lecture, Gemeinsamer Jahreskongress DGGG & DGG 2024, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gerontologie und Geriatrie e.V.; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Geriatrie e.V., Kassel, 2024
- Ist mein Blau auch dein Blau? Lecture, Kinderuni Luzern, Universität Luzern, Luzern, 2025
- 1924-2024: Hundert Jahre Elektroenzephalografie (EEG). Seminar, Seminar an der Seniorenuniversität Bern, Seniorenuniversität Bern, Bern, 2025
- Motorische und kognitive Neurorehabilitation - Neue Behandlungsansätze für Menschen mit einer Hirnverletzung. Lecture, Vortragsreihe der Seniorinnen- und Seniorenuniversität Luzern, Seniorinnen- und Seniorenuniversität Luzern, Luzern, 2024
- Schwindel, Sturz und Schlaganfall: (un-)vermeidbare Schicksalsschläge? Lecture, Vortragsreihe an der Seniorenuniversität Bern, Seniorenuniversität Bern, Bern, 2024