Haptic Technology: Exploring Its Underexplored Clinical Applications-A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Robotics and Human-Computer Interaction
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Medical Education Technology

Background:

• Haptic technology is widely used but its therapeutic applications are underexplored.
• This technology transforms human interaction with physical and virtual environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the clinical applications of haptic technology in rehabilitation, cognition, wellness, and mental health.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of haptic devices in improving patient outcomes and medical training.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and randomized crossover trials.
• Searched major databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science.
• Included studies on adult subjects in rehabilitation, cognition, wellness, and mental health.

Main Results:

• 34 studies were included, focusing on clinical outcomes (20) and clinical skills learning (14).
• Haptic devices, robotic and non-robotic, improve sensorimotor performance and motor function (effect sizes 0.2-0.7), particularly in post-stroke recovery.
• Haptic feedback enhances clinical skills training, procedural performance, and trainee self-efficacy, with surgical simulations dominating medical training applications (79%).

Conclusions:

• Haptic technology shows significant potential in healthcare for medical education, rehabilitation, cognition, and mental health.
• Limitations include study heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and lack of long-term data.
• Future research should validate findings and expand haptic technology applications in clinical practice.