None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Aim The function of this research is to evaluate the usability and acceptability of the BuzzNudge for technology assisted stroke rehabilitation. Background Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability in the world . Eighty percent of people with stroke experience difficulty moving their arm and hand. Research indicates that higher volumes of rehabilitation and physical activity after stroke promote improved functional outcomes and are associated with reduced length of in- patient stay. Traditional rehabilitation approaches rely upon 1:1 therapy sessions with physiotherapists or occupational therapists aimed at addressing sensorimotor impairments and retraining upper limb function. Yet a recent systematic review highlighted that patients spend as little as 4 minutes per physiotherapy session undertaking upper limb rehabilitation, accounting for just 23-32 arm movement repetitions. Data from our own study at Waitemata District Health Board demonstrates that even when a 12-hour inpatient rehabilitation day is observed, people with stroke move their affected arm for just 12% of the day. After a number of iterations of the BuzzNudge wearable device and the Smartphone App we have achieved a stable and reliable system that works in the hospital environment. Since the seed project completion, we have extended this work to a) Explore the impact of vibratory reminders to move the affected arm after stroke using the prototype system in seven people undertaking inpatient rehabilitation . We are now ready to develop the BuzzNudge further looking specifically at usability and acceptability in the populations that will use it, Stroke patients and Physiotherapists. Specific research questions 1. Is the BuzzNudge an acceptable rehabilitation device for people with stroke in the opinion of stroke rehabilitation experts. 2. Is the BuzzNudge an acceptable rehabilitation device for people with stroke in the opinion of people with stroke?
Interventions
The BuzzNudge is an accelerometer and vibrating motor mounted in a plastic case attached to the wrist in the style of a wrist watch or fitbit exercise band. It is controlled by an app on a smartphone. The participant will be introduced to the BuzzNudge by either a physiotherapist or a physiotherapy student during a single 90 minute session at AUT. The data collectors have already been trained in this type of data collection as part of another study and will have had time to familiarise themselve
The BuzzNudge is an accelerometer and vibrating motor mounted in a plastic case attached to the wrist in the style of a wrist watch or fitbit exercise band. It is controlled by an app on a smartphone. The participant will be introduced to the BuzzNudge by either a physiotherapist or a physiotherapy student during a single 90 minute session at AUT. The data collectors have already been trained in this type of data collection as part of another study and will have had time to familiarise themselves with the BuzzNudge with assistance from one of the research team members. It is anticipated that data collector familiarisation with the device will take between 30- 60 minutes. It is likely the participant will wear the BuzzNudge for up to one hour. The focus of the participant will be on the operational (donning and doffing the BuzzNudge, selecting appropriate parameters on the app controller), and aesthetic properties of the device checking on the usability and functionality of the working prototype. The usability study will use the following data collection tools: Video observations Audio recording Think-aloud protocols Semi-structured interviews The video and audio recording will commence once the participant has signed the consent form and continue until the end of the session. The Semi- structured interview will occur in the latter part of the 90 minute session after the participant has had time to familiarise themselves with the BuzzNudge
Sponsors
Auckland University of Technology
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Stroke Participants inclusion criteria: - Age 18 years or older - People with an onset of stroke more than 6 months prior - People who have an ongoing upper limb disability as a result of the stroke Physiotherapist Participants inclusion criteria: - Stroke rehabilitation experts with at least 5 years professional experience in the field of neurological rehabilitation - Able to attend a data collection session at AUT
Exclusion criteria
Stroke Participants exclusion criteria: - People who in the opinion of the research physiotherapist are unable to participate in the research process due to cognitive, perceptual and/or communication impairments. - People, who in the opinion of the research physiotherapist are unable to have discussions because of English language limitations. Physiotherapist Participants exclusion criteria: Not applicable
Outcome results
None listed