The rehabilitation robot: factors influencing its use, advantages and limitations in clinical rehabilitation

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the proven effectiveness of rehabilitation robots (RR) in the literature, they are still little used in clinical rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to analyse the factors influencing the use of RR and the perception of therapists who used RR.

Method

In order to characterize the factors influencing the use of RR by therapists, a semi-structured interview was conducted with 18 therapists. These interviews are based on an interview guide inspired by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model. The interviews were recorded and then transcribed, summarized and finally synthesized cross-sectionally. In addition and in parallel, the System Usability Scale (SUS) was also proposed to clinicians in order to collect quantitative data.

Results

The interviews highlight the facilitators perceived by the therapists, such as the intensity of the movement, the complementarity with conventional rehabilitation. The results also showed the possible barriers perceived, these can be sometimes inconclusive (e.g., bugs). The SUS results show no effect, either on the gender of the users, their therapists, or the duration of use of the tool.

Conclusion

Better communication on the functionality of the robot and the construction of achievable goals would lead to more results that are conclusive but also better patient care. To date, and despite the evidence for the effectiveness of RRs, therapists believe that there are still many barriers to their use. They agree, however, that if changes are made, RRs will become an integral part of therapy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• The study idenfied and highlighted the factors influencing the use of the rehabilitation robot in the clinics through metric and ergonomic evaluations.

• The study allowed to quantify the level of acceptance of the Lokomat among therapists.

• This study allowed to identify negative factors that could be resolved through the implementation of a structured and generalized protocol for patients and thus improve their care.

Keywords:

• Rehabilitation
• robotic-assisted gait training therapy
• clinical rehabilitation
• assistive technology
• experimental investigations
• system usability scale
• unified theory of acceptance and use of technology

Disclosure statement

The Authors declare that there is not conflict of interest associated with this publication and that the research is conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could inappropriately influence this publication.

Acknowledgements

At the end of this article, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who contributed to its production, in particular: