a Geriatrics Research Group , Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin , Berlin , Germany.
b Neurologisches Rehabilitationszentrum Friedehorst , Bremen , Germany.
Assist Technol. 2019;31(1):25-33. doi: 10.1080/10400435.2017.1352051. Epub 2017 Aug 16.
The aim of the study was to identify differences regarding usability, acceptability, and barriers of usage of a robot-supported gait rehabilitation system between a younger and older group of patients with gait impairments. A mobile robot-supported gait rehabilitation prototype was tested on a group of geriatric patients aged 60 and above, and on a group of young patients aged 59 and below in a clinical setting during five therapy sessions. The involved therapists received 2 days training with the system and could test it profoundly. Data on usability, acceptability, and barriers to system usage were collected with questionnaires and structured interviews with the patients. The robotic system received overall moderate usability and good acceptability ratings; it was rated as clearly structured, practical, and safe. Analyses identified a few barriers, such as time-intensive setup of the system or tight leg shells, which can be minimized with regular training and system adaptations. Differences between the two user groups could be revealed and will be used for future investigation. This study showed the potential of the mobile robot-supported system for gait rehabilitation, but also pointed out further need for action. Efficacy studies are the next step in the evaluation process.
本研究旨在确定使用机器人辅助步态康复系统的年轻和老年患者群体在可用性、可接受性和使用障碍方面的差异。在临床环境中，移动机器人辅助步态康复原型在一组 60 岁及以上的老年患者和一组 59 岁及以下的年轻患者中进行了五次治疗。参与治疗的治疗师接受了两天的系统培训，可以深入测试该系统。使用问卷和对患者进行的结构化访谈收集了有关可用性、可接受性和系统使用障碍的数据。机器人系统的总体可用性和可接受性评价为中等；它被评为结构清晰、实用且安全。分析确定了一些障碍，例如系统设置时间长或腿部紧身外壳紧，通过定期培训和系统适应可以最小化这些障碍。还可以揭示两个用户群体之间的差异，并将用于未来的研究。这项研究表明，移动机器人辅助系统在步态康复方面具有潜力，但也指出了进一步行动的必要性。疗效研究是评估过程的下一步。
