Stroke participants' perceptions of robotic and electrical stimulation therapy: a new approach.
OBJECTIVE
User perceptions are critical, yet often ignored factors in the design and development of rehabilitation technologies. In this article, measures for collection of patient perceptions are developed and applied to a novel upper limb workstation that combines robotic therapy and electrical stimulation (ES).


METHODS
Five participants with chronic upper limb hemiplegia post-stroke used a robotic workstation to undertake supported tracking tasks augmented by precisely controlled ES to their triceps muscle. Following a 6 week trial, a purpose designed set of questions was developed and individual interviews were conducted by an independent health psychologist.


RESULTS
The simple, quick to administer question set showed that participants had a positive response to the system, and contributed valuable feedback with regard to its usability and effectiveness. Participants want a home-based system targeting their whole arm.


CONCLUSIONS
This article demonstrates the value in assessing user perceptions of a rehabilitation system via a simple question set. While the results of this study have implications for a wider audience, our recommendations are for a qualitative study to develop a generic evaluation tool which could be used across the growing number of devices to provide feedback to enhance future development of any new technology for rehabilitation.
Hughes
Ann-Marie
AM
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Burridge
Jane
J
Freeman
Chris T
CT
Donnovan-Hall
Maggie
M
Chappell
Paul H
PH
Lewin
Paul L
PL
Rogers
Eric
E
Dibb
Bridget
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012371:Robotics; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity