Barriers and Facilitators to the Use of Wearable Robots as Assistive Devices: Qualitative Study With Older Adults and Physiotherapists.

Autor:	Reicherzer L; Institute of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland., Scheermesser M; Institute of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland., Kläy A; Institute of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland.; Medbase AG, Zurich, Switzerland., Duarte JE; MyoSwiss AG, Zurich, Switzerland., Graf ES; Institute of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologies [JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol] 2024 Aug 09; Vol. 11, pp. e52676. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 09.
DOI:	10.2196/52676
Abstrakt:	Background: Light wearable robots have the potential to assist older adults with mobility impairments in daily life by compensating for age-related decline in lower extremity strength. Physiotherapists may be the first point of contact for older adults with these devices. Objective: The aims of this study were to explore views of older adults and physiotherapists on wearable robots as assistive devices for daily living and to identify the barriers and facilitators to their use. Methods: Six older adults (aged 72-88 years) tested a wearable robot (Myosuit) and participated in semistructured interviews. A focus group with 6 physiotherapists who had a minimum of 5 years of professional experience and specialized in geriatrics was conducted. Data were analyzed using thematic qualitative text analysis. Results: Older adults perceived benefits and had positive use experiences, yet many saw no need to use the technology for themselves. Main barriers and facilitators to its use were the perception of usefulness, attitudes toward technology, ease of use, and environmental factors such as the support received. Physiotherapists named costs, reimbursement schemes, and complexity of the technology as limiting factors. Conclusions: A light wearable robot-the Myosuit-was found to be acceptable to study participants as an assistive device. Although characteristics of the technology are important, the use and acceptance by older adults heavily depend on perceived usefulness and need. (© Leah Reicherzer, Mandy Scheermesser, Adrian Kläy, Jaime E Duarte, Eveline S Graf. Originally published in JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology (https://rehab.jmir.org).)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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