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Identification of Users' Needs for Pediatric Upper Extremity Exoskeletons.
Bai Li1, Sydney Arcemont, Michele A Lobo
1Department of Physical Therapy and Biomechanics & Movement Science Program (Li and Lobo), University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware; Exercise Science Program, University of Delaware (Arcemont), Newark, Delaware.
Summary
Pediatric upper extremity (UE) exoskeletons should support daily activities like self-care and academics. User feedback is crucial for designing effective UE exoskeletons that meet functional needs and incorporate preferred features.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation engineering
- Assistive technology design
- Human-robot interaction in pediatrics
Background:
- Pediatric upper extremity (UE) exoskeletons are emerging assistive technologies.
- Understanding user needs is critical for effective device development and adoption.
- Current devices may not fully address the diverse functional requirements of children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the specific needs of pediatric users for upper extremity (UE) exoskeletons.
- To understand how children and their families envision these devices meeting their daily functional requirements.
- To gather user-centered design preferences for future pediatric UE exoskeleton development.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews.
- Participants included English-speaking families with children aged 3-16 years requiring chronic UE assistance.
- Content analysis of interview responses was performed to identify themes and preferences.
Main Results:
- Twenty-one families (22 parents, 12 children) participated.
- Key areas for support included personal care, function/mobility, manual tasks, academics, recreation, and social activities.
- Families prioritized design factors and provided specific suggestions for attachment mechanisms, fasteners, and control systems.
Conclusions:
- User-identified needs and design preferences are essential for guiding the development of pediatric UE exoskeletons.
- This research offers valuable insights for clinicians and engineers aiming to optimize exoskeleton prescription and design for children.
- Incorporating user feedback ensures that future devices better align with functional requirements and user expectations.
