Designs in AT research: Usefulness for therapists in clinical practice

Abstract

Background:

Therapists need information about assistive technology (AT) outcomes linked to life habits (activities in real life). However, the scientific literature seems to be almost non-existent in many life habit domains, and when it does exist, it may not be relevant to clinics because of the characteristics of the research designs.

Objective:

To examine what kinds of research designs are used to assess outcomes of AT use in real life situation and to discuss the usefulness of different designs for therapists in clinical practice.

Method:

A limited search in PubMed and OT Seeker was performed in June 2010 using the keywords “assistive AND technology AND device AND outcome”.

Results:

Of the 499 references found, 19 studies met our inclusion criteria. Six of the research designs were experimental (randomized controlled trial: $\mathit{n}=6$ ), four were quasi-experimental (longitudinal: $\mathit{n}=2$ , multiple baseline: $\mathit{n}=2$ ) and nine were non-experimental (survey and follow-up: $\mathit{n}=4$ , case study: $\mathit{n}=1$ , case report: $\mathit{n}=2$ , correlational research: $\mathit{n}=1$ , multiple cohort: $\mathit{n}=1$ ). Eleven types of AT were assessed.

Discussion and conclusion:

We found that the studies that give more useful information for therapists in clinics include research designs with short and long term effects of AT, use of standardized tools that point out the possible life habits where AT should be helpful, and a strategy to control confounders (group comparison, alternative condition for AT use, repetitive measures).