Abstract
Objectives: To describe and critique a systematic multidisciplinary approach to user engagement, and selection and evaluation of sensor technologies for development of a sensor-based Digital Toolkit for assessment of movement in children with cerebral palsy (CP).Methods: A sequential process was employed comprising three steps: Step 1: define user requirements, by identifying domains of interest; Step 2: map domains of interest to potential sensor technologies; and Step 3: evaluate and select appropriate sensors to be incorporated into the Digital Toolkit. The process employed a combination of principles from frameworks based in either healthcare or technology design.Results: A broad range of domains were ranked as important by clinicians, patients and families, and industry users. These directly informed the device selection and evaluation process that resulted in three sensor-based technologies being agreed for inclusion in the Digital Toolkit, for use in a future research study.Conclusion: This report demonstrates a systematic approach to user engagement and device selection and evaluation during the development of a sensor-based solution to a healthcare problem. It also provides a narrative on the benefits of employing a multidisciplinary approach throughout the process. This work uses previous frameworks for evaluating sensor technologies and expands on the methods used for user engagement.
Highlights
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental condition caused by injury to the developing brain
Ireland Cerebral Palsy Community Mailing List to disseminate the findings to the wider community
This report demonstrates a systematic approach to user engagement, and device selection and evaluation, during the development of a sensor-based solution to a healthcare problem, building on previous frameworks
Summary
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental condition caused by injury to the developing brain It is the most frequent cause of physical disability among children and has a life-long impact on the individual and their use of healthcare (2, 3). People with CP experience disordered posture and movement that in turn causes limitations in activities (e.g., walking) (4, 5). This can lead to physical inactivity, increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and limited participation and social integration in the home and community (3, 6, 7). To date, specialised equipment and technology have been vastly under-researched This is potentially due to benefits, such as independent mobility, being observable yet difficult to objectively quantify outside of the clinic or laboratory environment. The Royal Academy of Engineering has called for improved methodologies to obtain evidence for safety and performance of medical devices and for efficacy (11)
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