A SURVEY ON ATTITUDES OF REHABILITATION PROFESSIONALS ON THE USE OF IMMERSIVE GAMIFICATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS IN THERAPY

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to determine attitudes of rehabilitation professionals in using immersive gamification technology systems (ImGTS) in rehabilitation. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive survey utilized a selfadministered online questionnaire, the modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) Questionnaire, to determine perceptions of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, and social influence on using ImGTS for therapy. The study utilized purposive and snowball sampling in recruiting occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, and physiatrists in the Philippines to answer the survey. Results: Results from 47 participants indicate that rehabilitation professionals quite agree that using ImGTS can improve job performance and impact likely functional outcomes among their patients (performance expectancy) [mean 5.5 (SD 0.17)]. They slightly agree that using ImGTS is easy and manageable (effort expectancy) [5.0 (0.12)]. Moreover, they slightly agree with intending to use ImGTS in rehabilitation [4.9 (0.27)] and that they already use ImGTS in clinical practice [4.7 (1.69)]. Yet rehabilitation professionals neither agree nor disagree that significant others in their field of profession influence them when considering the use of ImGTS in therapy (social influence) [4.3 (0.16)] or that they have resources to use ImGTS with their patients and knowledge how to use it (facilitating conditions) [4.3 (0.25)]. Discussion: The study showed that rehabilitation professionals intend to use ImGTS and are currently using it as part of their therapy. They also have positive attitudes toward ImGTS with regard to performance expectancy and effort expectancy. These results support the potential for the adoption of ImGTS as part of clinical practice as efforts to strengthen the evidence for their effectiveness continue.