A questionnaire-based exploration on therapists' perception on technology-assisted rehabilitation

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Robotics in Healthcare
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Technology-Assisted Rehabilitation (TAR) offers new ways to improve patient-therapist interactions.
• The therapist's viewpoint on TAR is crucial but often overlooked.
• Robot-Assisted Gait Training (RAGT) is a key area within TAR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate therapist perceptions of Robot-Assisted Gait Training (RAGT).
• To develop and utilize a specific questionnaire to capture these perceptions.
• To address the understudied therapist perspective in TAR.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary board developed a questionnaire for RAGT.
• An observational, multicentric pilot study was conducted.
• The questionnaire was administered to therapists using lower-limb robotic devices for gait disorders.

Main Results:

• Thirty-two questionnaires were analyzed.
• Therapists reported favorable perceptions regarding RAGT's usefulness, ease of use, and safety.
• Therapist engagement with RAGT showed variability despite positive trends.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight the need to reconceptualize the therapist's role in TAR.
• Optimal integration of RAGT requires addressing therapist engagement.
• Improving patient-therapist-device interaction is key for successful TAR implementation.