e-Article
Biopsychosocial effects and experience of use of robotic and virtual reality devices in neuromotor rehabilitation: A study protocol.
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Zanatta F; Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.; Steca P; Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.; Fundarò C; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Neurophysiopathology Unit of Montescano Institute, Montescano, Italy.; Giardini A; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Information Technology Department of Pavia Institute, Pavia, Italy.; Felicetti G; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Unit of Montescano Institute, Montescano, Italy.; Panigazzi M; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Occupational Physiatry and Ergonomics Unit of Montescano Institute, Montescano, Italy.; Arbasi G; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Neuromotor Rehabilitation Unit of Montescano Institute, Montescano, Italy.; Grilli C; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Occupational Physiatry and Ergonomics Unit of Montescano Institute, Montescano, Italy.; D'Addario M; Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.; Pierobon A; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Psychology Unit of Montescano Institute, Montescano, Italy.
Source
Publisher: Public Library of Science Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101285081 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1932-6203 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 19326203 NLM ISO Abbreviation: PLoS One Subsets: MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
Abstract
Background: Robot-assisted therapy (RAT) and virtual reality (VR)-based neuromotor rehabilitation have shown promising evidence in terms of patient's neuromotor recovery, so far. However, still little is known on the perceived experience of use of robotic and VR devices and the related psychosocial impact. The present study outlines a study protocol aiming to investigate the biopsychosocial effects and the experience of use of robotic and non-immersive VR devices in patients undergoing neuromotor rehabilitation.
Methods: Adopting a prospective, two-arm, non-randomized study design, patients with different neuromotor diseases (i.e., acquired brain injury, Parkinson's Disease, and total knee/hip arthroplasty) undergoing rehabilitation will be included. In a real-world clinical setting, short- (4 weeks) and long-term (6 months) changes in multiple patient's health domains will be investigated, including the functional status (i.e., motor functioning, ADLs, risk of falls), cognitive functioning (i.e., attention and executive functions), physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the psychological status (i.e., anxiety and depression, quality of life satisfaction). At post-intervention, the overall rehabilitation experience, the psychosocial impact of the robotic and VR devices will be assessed, and technology perceived usability and experience of use will be evaluated through a mixed-methods approach, including both patients' and physiotherapists' perspectives. Repeated measures within-between interaction effects will be estimated, and association analyses will be performed to explore the inter-relationships among the variables investigated. Data collection is currently ongoing.
Implications: The biopsychosocial framework adopted will contribute to expanding the perspective on patient's recovery within the technology-based rehabilitation field beyond motor improvement. Moreover, the investigation of devices experience of use and usability will provide further insight into technology deployment in neuromotor rehabilitation programs, thereby maximising therapy engagement and effectiveness.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05399043.
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
(Copyright: © 2023 Zanatta et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)
Methods: Adopting a prospective, two-arm, non-randomized study design, patients with different neuromotor diseases (i.e., acquired brain injury, Parkinson's Disease, and total knee/hip arthroplasty) undergoing rehabilitation will be included. In a real-world clinical setting, short- (4 weeks) and long-term (6 months) changes in multiple patient's health domains will be investigated, including the functional status (i.e., motor functioning, ADLs, risk of falls), cognitive functioning (i.e., attention and executive functions), physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the psychological status (i.e., anxiety and depression, quality of life satisfaction). At post-intervention, the overall rehabilitation experience, the psychosocial impact of the robotic and VR devices will be assessed, and technology perceived usability and experience of use will be evaluated through a mixed-methods approach, including both patients' and physiotherapists' perspectives. Repeated measures within-between interaction effects will be estimated, and association analyses will be performed to explore the inter-relationships among the variables investigated. Data collection is currently ongoing.
Implications: The biopsychosocial framework adopted will contribute to expanding the perspective on patient's recovery within the technology-based rehabilitation field beyond motor improvement. Moreover, the investigation of devices experience of use and usability will provide further insight into technology deployment in neuromotor rehabilitation programs, thereby maximising therapy engagement and effectiveness.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05399043.
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
(Copyright: © 2023 Zanatta et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)