Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tennodai, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.
Center for Cybernics Research, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tennodai, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024 May 3;25(1):352. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07417-x.
Recent advancements in and the proliferation of autonomous mobility technology, such as intelligent wheelchairs, have made it possible to provide mobility services for patients with reduced mobility due to musculoskeletal disorders. In the present study, we conducted a preliminary clinical study to assess the safety and feasibility of in-hospital autonomous transportation using a driverless mobility (wheelchair) for patients with musculoskeletal disorders.
From January to February 2022, 51 patients with musculoskeletal disorders exhibiting gait disturbance who presented to our institution were included in the present study. Driverless mobility rides were conducted over a straight-line distance of 100 m from the orthopaedic outpatient reception to the payment counter after the outpatient consultation. We assessed the quality of life using an EQ-5D-5 L index and pain using a VAS score before riding the mobility to investigate the patient's condition. After the ride, a questionnaire survey was conducted to assess patient satisfaction on a 5-point scale. In addition, adverse events during the mobility ride were investigated.
Overall satisfaction levels showed that 44 out of 51 (86%) patients rated the level as 3 or higher. There were no significant differences in the level of satisfaction based on the cause of disorders or EQ-5D-5 L Index. Among 19 patients who rated the level of satisfaction as 2-3, the ratio of postoperative patients and those with pain tended to be higher (p < 0.05). While 26 of 51 (51%) patients reported moments of feeling unsafe during the mobility ride, no actual adverse events, such as collisions, were observed.
An in-hospital autonomous transportation service using a driverless mobility for patients with musculoskeletal disorders demonstrated high satisfaction levels and was safe with no severe adverse events observed. The expansion of autonomous mobility deployment is expected to achieve mobility as a service in medical care.
自主移动技术（如智能轮椅）的最新进展和普及，使得为因肌肉骨骼疾病而行动不便的患者提供移动服务成为可能。在本研究中，我们进行了一项初步的临床研究，以评估使用无人驾驶轮椅为肌肉骨骼疾病患者进行院内自主运输的安全性和可行性。
2022 年 1 月至 2 月，我们对 51 名因肌肉骨骼疾病而出现步态障碍并就诊于我院的患者进行了研究。患者乘坐无人驾驶轮椅，从骨科门诊接待处到门诊咨询结束后的缴费处，在 100 米直线距离内行驶。我们在乘坐轮椅前使用 EQ-5D-5L 指数评估患者的生活质量，使用 VAS 评分评估患者的疼痛程度。乘坐轮椅后，使用 5 分制问卷调查患者的满意度。此外，我们还调查了轮椅行驶过程中的不良事件。
总体满意度显示，51 名患者中有 44 名（86%）评为 3 分或更高。满意度水平与疾病原因或 EQ-5D-5L 指数无显著差异。在 19 名满意度评分为 2-3 的患者中，术后患者和疼痛患者的比例较高（p<0.05）。虽然 51 名患者中有 26 名（51%）在乘坐轮椅时感到不安全，但没有观察到实际的不良事件，如碰撞。
使用无人驾驶轮椅为肌肉骨骼疾病患者提供的院内自主运输服务满意度高，且安全，无严重不良事件发生。预计自主移动技术的广泛应用将实现医疗保健中的移动即服务。
