Robot mediated therapy: Attitudes of patients and therapists towards the first prototype of the GENTLE/s system

Abstract

Residual deficits in upper extremity function post stroke occur more frequently than deficits in lower extremity function and are considered a challenge to therapists involved in rehabilitation and distressing to patients. In the literature there is little evidence to suggest the superiority of any one existing physical therapy method over another and little evidence as to what elements of the “black box” of interventions result in better outcomes. One emerging trend is that interventions involving repetitive task-oriented movements show positive treatment effects. The progression of the use of robotics from assistants in activities of daily living to the use of robots as therapy aides may facilitate the delivery of such forms of intervention, as well as producing more sensitive and objective measures of treatment effect and recovery.

This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes of patients and therapists to the first prototype of the GENTLE/s Robot Mediated Therapy (RMT) system. Results show overall positive attitudinal dispositions to the prototype and to the use of RMT as an intervention post stroke. The differing opinions of therapists and patients to some elements of the intervention highlight the need for user input in the development of therapeutic interventions to include both stakeholders. Full clinical trials to investigate the therapeutic benefits of RMT commenced in October 2001 and are ongoing.