Defining the user needs for an assistive pediatric hand exoskeleton: An Italian explorative survey

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Assistive Technology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Children with neuromotor disorders often have hand impairments, limiting daily independence and skill acquisition.
• Existing hand exoskeleton designs frequently fail to meet user needs, hindering adoption.
• User-centered design is crucial for effective assistive technology development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gather parental feedback on hand exoskeletons for children with neuromotor disorders.
• To identify key functional needs and user-friendliness requirements for exoskeleton development.
• To inform the design of user-centered hand exoskeletons that meet the needs of children and their families.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous online survey was distributed to parents of children with upper limb impairments.
• The survey focused on perceptions of hand exoskeletons, functional needs, user-friendliness, and training.
• Data from 43 completed surveys were analyzed.

Main Results:

• 76.3% of parents expressed interest in hand exoskeletons for their children.
• Key activities to address include dressing, hygiene, and eating.
• Parents prioritized lightweight, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing designs and trust in the technology.

Conclusions:

• Parental feedback is essential for developing successful hand exoskeletons.
• Designs must prioritize comfort, low weight, aesthetic appeal, and functional benefits for daily living.
• Future hand exoskeleton development should focus on user-centered principles to enhance adoption and efficacy.