Close menu

SURE

Sunderland Repository records the research produced by the University of Sunderland including practice-based research and theses.

An exploration of physiotherapists’ experiences of robotic therapy in upper limb rehabilitation within a stroke rehabilitation centre

Stephenson, Andrew and Stephens, John (2017) An exploration of physiotherapists’ experiences of robotic therapy in upper limb rehabilitation within a stroke rehabilitation centre. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 13 (3). pp. 245-252. ISSN 1748-3107

Item Type: Article

Abstract

Purpose: Strokes are the world’s leading cause of adult disability, with movement impairment being more common in the upper limb (UL). Robotic therapy (RT) is identified as an effective adjunct to promote movement but with limited effect on functional capabilities. There is currently limited research in user experience of RT, specifically that of physiotherapists. This study sought to explore physiotherapists’ experience of using RT in rehabilitation of the UL, within a stroke rehabilitation centre in the north of England.

Method: Physiotherapists (n = 6) shared their experiences of working with the InMotion2 robot through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret data, identify emergent themes and interdependent relationships between them.

Findings: Five interdependent themes were identified focused around individualized care, influenced by evidence for practice, human relationships, skill mix, and resources and resource management. All physiotherapists valued the use of RT as an adjunct to conventional therapy, although barriers to successful implementation seemed to dominate the views of some.

Conclusions: RT was perceived positively by physiotherapists, regarded as an adjunct to conventional therapy. A framework to summarize the relationships of participants’ views and experiences is proposed in an attempt to understand the influences on the clinical use of RT.

- Implications for Rehabilitation

- Robotic therapy (RT) is valued as an adjunct to (conventional) person-centred rehabilitation.

- Resource management and skill mix are viewed as two key
challenges to the successful implementation of RT.

- The production of evidence-based guidelines would be a useful development in the advancement.

Full text not available from this repository.

More Information

Related URLs:
Depositing User: Leah Maughan

Identifiers

Item ID: 12218
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2017.1306593
ISSN: 1748-3107
URI: http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/12218
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2017.1306593

Users with ORCIDS

Catalogue record

Date Deposited: 14 Jul 2020 16:12
Last Modified: 14 Jul 2020 16:12

Contributors

Author: Andrew Stephenson
Author: John Stephens

University Divisions

Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing > School of Nursing and Health Sciences > Department of Sport and Excercise Sciences

Actions (login required)

View Item (Repository Staff Only) View Item (Repository Staff Only)