A study on the intention of upper limb hemiplegic patients to use interactive gaming devices for hand rehabilitation

Abstract

Investigating stroke patients with hemiplegia, this study explores how various pre-factors and personal characteristics influence their intention to use interactive gaming devices (IGDs) for hand rehabilitation. Key pre-factors include performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, and game design, while personal characteristics cover age, gender, digital experience, and stroke severity. The research, involving 38 participants, integrates these elements into the development of IGDs, using a survey based on an extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Results indicate that hedonic motivation, affected by performance and effort expectancy as well as game design, plays a crucial role in patients’ willingness to use IGDs. Additionally, stroke severity emerges as a significant moderator in this context. These findings highlight the importance of aligning game design with patient expectations and conditions to enhance engagement and efficacy in hand rehabilitation using IGDs.

Keywords:

• Hand rehabilitation
• serious games
• Interactive Gaming Devices
• Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology
• hedonic motivation

SUBJECT CLASSIFICATION CODES:

• design research papers

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the committee for their review and approval of the study protocol.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by MOST 111-2622-E-036-003. We sincerely appreciate their investment and support. This study followed the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of National Taiwan University [protocol number 202101ES008].

Notes on contributors

Chujun Yang

Chujun Yang is a PhD candidate at the Graduate Institute of Design Science, Tatung University, focusing on serious games, service design, product design, and exhibition design.

Chih-Fu Wu

Chih-Fu Wu is a Professor in the Department of Industrial Design and the Dean of Design College at Tatung University. He holds a PhD degree in the Department of Mechanical Engineering from Tatung University. His research interests include Human Factors, Service Design, and Human-Robot Interaction.

Jingyan Wang

Jingyan Wang is a master's candidate at the Graduate Institute of Design Science, Tatung University.

Wen-Chi Chen

Wen-Chi Chen is a PhD candidate at the Graduate Institute of Design Science, Tatung University.

Haoyen Chang

Haoyen Chang is a master's candidate at the Graduate Institute of Design Science, Tatung University.

Dan Dan Xu

Dan Dan Xu, PhD in Design, Lecturer in the Department of Product Design at the College of Fine Arts and Design, Quanzhou Normal University.