Healthcare practitioners and robotic-assisted rehabilitation: understanding needs and barriers
Giovanna Nicora, Enea Parimbelli, Maria Cristina Mauro, Francesca Falchini, Marco Germanotta, Alessio Fasano, Giuseppina Sgandurra, Elena Beani, Emanuele Gruppioni, Francesca Bugané, Irene Aprile, Silvana Quaglini, Anna Estraneo, Alfonso Magliacano, Rita Mosca, Francesca Cecchi, Tommaso Ciapetti, Michele Piazzini, Chiara Castagnoli, Stefano Giuseppe D’Oronzio, Roberto De Icco, Luca Martinis, Ilaria Campese, Sabrina Signorini, Roberta Nicotra, Giuseppe Umile Longo, Arianna Carnevale, Carla Antonacci, Pietro Fiore, Brigida Minafra, Stefania Trane, Antonio Nardone, Chiara Pavese, Cira Fundarò, Christian Lunetta, Rachele Piras, Matteo Gallotta, Chiara Maria Tacchino, Alessia Aiello, Emilia Biffi, Fabio Storm, Eleonora Diella, Mehrnaz Hamedani, Angelo Schenone, Matteo Pittaluga, Giovanni Comandè, Francesca Gennari, Francesca Benuzzi, Jessica Mandrioli, Giovanna Zamboni, Carlo Ruosi, Rossana Gnasso, Angela Palomba, Carmelo Chisari, Stefania Dalise, Valentina Azzolini, Franco Molteni, Alessandro Specchia, Giulio Gasperini, Ennio Ferlazzo, Flavio Corpina
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS: In recent years, numerous robotic devices, together with allied technologies, have been developed to support rehabilitation, both in research settings and industry. Although robotic-assisted rehabilitation and related technologies hold significant promise for supporting healthcare practitioners and enhancing patient care, their use in clinical practice remains limited. One of the motivations could be that final users' needs have not been given due consideration so far. As a matter of fact, understanding user needs and perceptions is crucial for designing these technological devices and for creating new organizational models within hospitals aiming to establish and maintain robotics-assisted rehabilitation gyms. METHODS: We developed and distributed an online survey to the Italian community of healthcare practitioners working in rehabilitation, to depict the current landscape of robotic-assisted rehabilitation and to understand their opinions and demands across various domains and diseases. The questionnaire is divided into two main parts. The first section pertains to the respondents' demographics and professional experience. The second part includes questions about eight different categories of rehabilitative devices. For each category, practitioners can indicate whether they use a device in their practice, their perceptions, and any perceived barriers. Additionally, they can fill out a System Usability Scale for a specific device in that category. RESULTS: We collected answers from 423 Italian rehabilitation professionals, including various clinical roles, that revealed significant insights into the use of robotics in rehabilitation. Gender distribution shows a high prevalence of female professionals. 40% of respondents reported being unfamiliar with any robotics devices. Advanced treadmills are the most known and used robots. Generally, usage and experience with devices are associated with positive attitudes towards robotics-assisted rehabilitation. Lack of financial resources and scientific evidence, as well as lack of opportunities and training, are the most reported barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a general positivity towards technology, there is a substantial lack of awareness about rehabilitation devices among professionals. The survey highlights the need for enhanced training and education on robotics in rehabilitation programs. Additionally, the limited focus on home rehabilitation is noted. The study emphasizes the importance of verifying both the effectiveness and economic sustainability of robotic devices in clinical practice.