Therapists’ experience of training and implementing an exoskeleton in a rehabilitation centre
| Autor: | Michael Prescott, Andrea Townson, Leena Chau, Alex Pysklywec, W. Ben Mortenson |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
030506 rehabilitation
medicine.medical_specialty Rehabilitation business.industry medicine.medical_treatment Powered exoskeleton Exoskeleton Device Rehabilitation Centers Lower limb Exoskeleton 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Physical medicine and rehabilitation Intervention (counseling) Humans Medicine Gait disorders 0305 other medical science business Gait human activities Gait Disorders Neurologic Qualitative Research 030217 neurology & neurosurgery |
| Zdroj: | Disability and Rehabilitation. 44:1060-1066 |
| ISSN: | 1464-5165 0963-8288 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/09638288.2020.1789765 |
| Popis: | Lower limb exoskeletons are a recent intervention promoted to improve gait disorders. Available research has focused on clinical outcomes; however, little is known about therapists' experiences using the device in practice.We explored the implementation of an exoskeleton at a tertiary rehabilitation center.In this longitudinal qualitative study we conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 therapists. One group of therapists was formally trained using the device, whereas the other group only had clinical exposure to the device. The interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for themes.Three main themes emerged: (1)The exoskeleton represents one of the most complicated and labor-intensive interventions provided by therapists. Implementation requires substantial resources, raising questions regarding its efficacy and cost-effectiveness relative to other approaches. Until more evidence becomes available around the use and effectiveness of this rapidly evolving technology, therapists must contend with a high degree of uncertainty.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONUsing a lower limb exoskeleton may reduce physical demands on therapists in high-intensity rehabilitation programs that involve repetitive, effortful movements.However, a number of potential barriers to implementing the exoskeleton into practice need to be taken into consideration, including calibration time, intensive training required to become qualified to administer the intervention, the cost of the device, and comfort and safety of the device affecting user acceptance and uptake.Therapists also need to manage patient expectations related to outcomes related to use of exoskeletons. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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