title: An exploration of physiotherapists' experiences of robotic therapy in upper limb rehabilitation within a stroke rehabilitation centre.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Strokes are the world's leading cause of adult disability, with movement impairment being more common in the upper limb (UL). Robotic therapy (RT) is identified as an effective adjunct to promote movement but with limited effect on functional capabilities. There is currently limited research in user experience of RT, specifically that of physiotherapists. This study sought to explore physiotherapists' experience of using RT in rehabilitation of the UL, within a stroke rehabilitation centre in the north of England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physiotherapists (n = 6) shared their experiences of working with the InMotion2 robot through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret data, identify emergent themes and interdependent relationships between them.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five interdependent themes were identified focused around individualized care, influenced by evidence for practice, human relationships, skill mix, and resources and resource management. All physiotherapists valued the use of RT as an adjunct to conventional therapy, although barriers to successful implementation seemed to dominate the views of some.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RT was perceived positively by physiotherapists, regarded as an adjunct to conventional therapy. A framework to summarize the relationships of participants' views and experiences is proposed in an attempt to understand the influences on the clinical use of RT. Implications for Rehabilitation Robotic therapy (RT) is valued as an adjunct to (conventional) person-centred rehabilitation. Resource management and skill mix are viewed as two key challenges to the successful implementation of RT. The production of evidence-based guidelines would be a useful development in the advancement.
authors.affiliation: a Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust , Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital , Cramlington , UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.affiliation: b Faculty of Health and Life Sciences , Northumbria University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stephens
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012371:Robotics; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D034941:Upper Extremity
keywords: Robotic therapy; stroke; upper limb rehabilitation