scholarly journals Towards a Platform for Robot-Assisted Minimally-Supervised Therapy of Hand Function: Design and Pilot Usability Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Ranzani ◽  
Lucas Eicher ◽  
Federica Viggiano ◽  
Bernadette Engelbrecht ◽  
Jeremia P. O. Held ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Usability Evaluation ◽  
Therapy Session ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Perceived Workload ◽  
Minimally Supervised

BackgroundRobot-assisted therapy can increase therapy dose after stroke, which is often considered insufficient in clinical practice and after discharge, especially with respect to hand function. Thus far, there has been a focus on rather complex systems that require therapist supervision. To better exploit the potential of robot-assisted therapy, we propose a platform designed for minimal therapist supervision, and present the preliminary evaluation of its immediate usability, one of the main and frequently neglected challenges for real-world application. Such an approach could help increase therapy dose by allowing the training of multiple patients in parallel by a single therapist, as well as independent training in the clinic or at home.MethodsWe implemented design changes on a hand rehabilitation robot, considering aspects relevant to enabling minimally-supervised therapy, such as new physical/graphical user interfaces and two functional therapy exercises to train hand motor coordination, somatosensation and memory. Ten participants with chronic stroke assessed the usability of the platform and reported the perceived workload during a single therapy session with minimal supervision. The ability to independently use the platform was evaluated with a checklist.ResultsParticipants were able to independently perform the therapy session after a short familiarization period, requiring assistance in only 13.46 (7.69–19.23)% of the tasks. They assigned good-to-excellent scores on the System Usability Scale to the user-interface and the exercises [85.00 (75.63–86.88) and 73.75 (63.13–83.75) out of 100, respectively]. Nine participants stated that they would use the platform frequently. Perceived workloads lay within desired workload bands. Object grasping with simultaneous control of forearm pronosupination and stiffness discrimination were identified as the most difficult tasks.DiscussionOur findings demonstrate that a robot-assisted therapy device can be rendered safely and intuitively usable upon first exposure with minimal supervision through compliance with usability and perceived workload requirements. The preliminary usability evaluation identified usability challenges that should be solved to allow real-world minimally-supervised use. Such a platform could complement conventional therapy, allowing to provide increased dose with the available resources, and establish a continuum of care that progressively increases therapy lead of the patient from the clinic to the home.

scholarly journals Towards a platform for robot-assisted minimally-supervised therapy of hand function: design and pilot usability evaluation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Ranzani ◽  
Lucas Eicher ◽  
Federica Viggiano ◽  
Bernadette Engelbrecht ◽  
Jeremia P.O. Held ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Usability Evaluation ◽  
Therapy Session ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Hand Rehabilitation ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
Perceived Workload ◽  
Minimally Supervised

AbstractBackgroundRobot-assisted therapy can increase therapy dose after stroke, which is often considered insufficient in clinical practice and after discharge, especially with respect to hand function. Thus far, there has been a focus on rather complex systems that require therapist supervision. To better exploit the potential of robot-assisted therapy, we propose a platform designed for minimal therapist supervision, and present the preliminary evaluation of its immediate usability, one of the main and frequently neglected challenges for real-world application. Such an approach could help increase therapy dose by allowing the training of multiple patients in parallel by a single therapist, as well as independent training in the clinic or at home.MethodsWe implemented design changes on a hand rehabilitation robot, considering aspects relevant to enabling minimally-supervised therapy, such as new physical/graphical user interfaces and two functional therapy exercises to train hand motor coordination, somatosensation and memory. Ten participants with chronic stroke assessed the usability of the platform and reported the perceived workload during a single therapy session with minimal supervision. The ability to independently use the platform was evaluated with a checklist.ResultsParticipants were able to independently perform the therapy session after a short familiarization period, requiring assistance in only 13.46(7.69-19.23)% of the tasks. They assigned good-to-excellent scores on the SUS to the user-interface and the exercises (85.00(75.63-86.88) and 73.75(63.13-83.75) out of 100, respectively). Nine participants stated that they would use the platform frequently. Perceived workloads lay within desired workload bands. Object grasping with simultaneous control of forearm pronosupination and stiffness discrimination were identified as the most difficult tasks.DiscussionOur findings demonstrate that a robot-assisted therapy device can be rendered safely and intuitively usable upon first exposure with minimal supervision through compliance with usability and perceived workload requirements. The preliminary usability evaluation identified usability challenges that should be solved to allow real-world minimally-supervised use. Such a platformcould complement conventional therapy, allowing to provide increased dose with the available resources, and establish a continuum of care that progressively increases therapy lead of the patient from the clinic to the home.

scholarly journals A Plug-and-Train Robot (PLUTO) for Hand Rehabilitation: Design and Preliminary Evaluation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aravind Nehrujee ◽  
Hallel Andrew ◽  
Ann Patricia ◽  
ReethaJannetSurekha ◽  
SamuelKamaleshKumar Selvaraj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computer Games ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Wrist Flexion ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Hand Rehabilitation ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Minimally Supervised ◽  
Experience Questionnaire ◽  
Hand Opening

Abstract Hand neurorehabilitation involves the training of movements at various joints of the forearm, wrist, fingers, and thumb. Assisted training of all these joints either requires either one complex multiple degree-of-freedom (DOF) robot or a set of simple robots with one or two DOF. Both of these are not economically or clinically viable solutions. The paper presents work that addresses this problem with a single DOF robot that can train multiple joints one at a time – the plug and train robot (PLUTO). PLUTO has a single actuator with a set of passive attachments/mechanisms that can be easily attached/detached to train for wrist flexion-extension, wrist ulnar-radial deviation, forearm pronation-supination, and gross hand opening-closings. The robot can provide training in active and assisted regimes. PLUTO is linked to performance adaptive computer games to provide feedback to the patients and motivate them during training. As the first step toward clinical validation, the device's usability was evaluated in 45 potential stakeholders/end-users of the device, including 15 patients, 15 caregivers, and 15 clinicians with standardized questionnaires: System Usability Scale (SUS) and User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). Patients and caregivers were administered the questionnaire after a two-session training. Clinicians, on the other hand, had a single session demo after which feedback was obtained. The total SUS score obtained from the patients, clinicians, and healthy subjects was 73.3 ± 14.6 (n = 45), indicating good usability. The UEQ score was rated positively in all subscales by both the patients and clinicians, indicating that the features of PLUTO match their expectations. The positive response from the preliminary testing and the feedback from the stakeholders indicates that with additional passive mechanisms, assessment features, and optimized ergonomics, PLUTO will be a versatile, affordable, and useful system for routine use in clinics and also patients’ homes for delivering minimally supervised hand therapy.

Validation of a Musculoskeletal Digital Assessment Routing Tool (DART): Protocol for a Pilot Randomised Crossover Non-Inferiority Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cabella Lowe ◽  
Harry Hanuman Sing ◽  
William Marsh ◽  
Dylan Morrissey
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Real World ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Allocation Concealment ◽  
Trial Methodology ◽  
Primary Analysis ◽  
Digital Assessment ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal conditions account for 16% of global disability, resulting in a negative effect on millions of patients and an increasing burden on healthcare utilization. Digital technologies to improve health care outcomes and efficiency are considered a priority; however, innovations are rarely tested with sufficient rigor in clinical trials, the gold standard for clinical proof of safety and efficacy. We have developed a new musculoskeletal Digital Assessment Routing Tool (DART) that allows users to self-assess and be directed to the right care. DART requires validation in a real-world setting prior to implementation. OBJECTIVE This pilot study will assess the feasibility of a future trial by exploring key aspects of trial methodology, assess the procedures and collect exploratory data to inform the design of a definitive, randomized, crossover, non-inferiority trial to assess DART safety and effectiveness. METHODS We will collect data from 76 adult participants presenting to an NHS England GP practice with a musculoskeletal condition. Participants will complete both a DART assessment and a physiotherapist-led triage with the order determined by randomization. The primary analysis will involve an absolute agreement ICC (A,1) estimate with 95% confidence intervals between DART and the clinician for assessment outcomes sign-posting to condition management pathways. Data will be collected to allow analysis of participant recruitment and retention, randomization, allocation concealment, blinding, data collection process and bias. In addition, the impact of trial burden and potential barriers to intervention delivery will be considered. DART user satisfaction will be measured using the System Usability Scale. RESULTS A UK NHS ethics submission will be submitted during June 2021 and pending approval, recruitment will commence during August 2021 with data collection anticipated to last for 3 months. Results will be reported in a follow-up paper later in 2021. CONCLUSIONS This study will inform the design of a randomized controlled crossover non-inferiority study that will provide evidence concerning mHealth DART system clinical sign posting in an NHS setting prior to real-world implementation. Success should produce evidence of a safe, effective system with excellent usability, facilitating quicker and easier patient access to appropriate care while reducing the burden on primary and secondary care musculoskeletal services. This rigorous approach to mHealth system testing could be used as a guide for other developers of similar applications. CLINICALTRIAL This trial is registered with Clinical Trials number NCT04904029

Online Learning for the Real World

2003 ◽  
pp. 159-176
Author(s):  
Bridget Khursheed
Keyword(s):  
Continuing Education ◽  
Real World ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Virtual Classroom ◽  
Usability Evaluation ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Course Development ◽  
The Real ◽  
University Of Oxford ◽  
The University

This chapter examines usability evaluation in the context of the Diploma in Computing via the Internet offered by the University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education and, to some extent, its on-site course partner. This ongoing online course is aimed at adult non-university (the “real world” of the chapter title) students. The chapter follows the usability evaluation process through the life cycle of course development, delivery and maintenance, analysing the requirements and actions of each stage and how they were implemented in the course. It also discusses how pedagogical evaluation must be considered as part of this process, as well as the more obvious software considerations, and how this was achieved within the course. Finally it draws some conclusions concerning the enhancements to course usability of the virtual classroom and how this atypical evaluation material can and should be integrated into an overall usability evaluation picture.

System Design and Usability Evaluation of Ghana Music Documentation System Using the System Usability Scale

2021 ◽  
pp. 253-264
Author(s):  
Alimatu-Saadia Yussiff ◽  
Florian Carl ◽  
Wan Fatimah Wan Ahmad ◽  
Simon Mariwah ◽  
Otchere Eric Debrah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
System Design ◽  
Usability Evaluation ◽  
Documentation System ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
System Usability

scholarly journals Hand Robotics Rehabilitation: Feasibility and Preliminary Results of a Robotic Treatment in Patients with Hemiparesis

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizio Sale ◽  
Valentina Lombardi ◽  
Marco Franceschini
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
Rehabilitative Treatment ◽  
Modified Ashworth Scale ◽  
Extensor Muscles ◽  
Function Recovery ◽  
Ashworth Scale ◽  
Flexion And Extension

Background. No strongly clinical evidence about the use of hand robot-assisted therapy in stroke patients was demonstrated. This preliminary observer study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of intensive robot-assisted therapy in hand function recovery, in the early phase after a stroke onset.Methods. Seven acute ischemic stroke patients at their first-ever stroke were enrolled. Treatment was performed using Amadeo robotic system (Tyromotion GmbH Graz, Austria). Each participant received, in addition to inpatients standard rehabilitative treatment, 20 sessions of robotic treatment for 4 consecutive weeks (5 days/week). Each session lasted for 40 minutes. The exercises were carried out as follows: passive modality (5 minutes), passive/plus modality (5 minutes), assisted therapy (10 minutes), and balloon (10 minutes). The following impairment and functional evaluations, Fugl-Meyer Scale (FM), Medical Research Council Scale for Muscle Strength (hand flexor and extensor muscles) (MRC), Motricity Index (MI), and modified Ashworth Scale for wrist and hand muscles (AS), were performed at the beginning (T0), after 10 sessions (T1), and at the end of the treatment (T2). The strength hand flexion and extension performed by Robot were assessed at T0 and T2. The Barthel Index and COMP (performance and satisfaction subscale) were assessed at T0 and T2.Results. Clinical improvements were found in all patients. No dropouts were recorded during the treatment and all subjects fulfilled the protocol. Evidence of a significant improvement was demonstrated by the Friedman test for the MRC (P<0.0123). Evidence of an improvement was demonstrated for AS, FM, and MI.Conclusions. This original rehabilitation treatment could contribute to increase the hand motor recovery in acute stroke patients. The simplicity of the treatment, the lack of side effects, and the first positive results in acute stroke patients support the recommendations to extend the clinical trial of this treatment, in association with physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy.

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