Clinical experience in rehabilitation robotics

Abstract

A robotic workstation system for the disabled, based on a commercially available arm, was tested with six patients at the Spinal Injuries Unit, Odstock Hospital, Salisbury. A questionnaire was administered to those who used the system. Users evaluated the usefulness and performance of the system and commented on their reactions to the use of robots in rehabilitation. The users were generally favourable as regards the ease of use of the system using a two-switch input, operating a scanning menu. All users wanted the robot to be able to replay previously created routines, and the majority also wanted to be able to directly control the robot as well. The users were unsure about the potential usefulness of the system. Because a robot is by definiition a flexible device, the context in which it is introduced will effect the way it is received by potential users. Tests in a hospital environment are useful because there is a high concentration of users. However the hospital environment does not fully reflect the situation in which robots are to be used. Tests with users in their own home situations will give a better idea of the usefulness of such devices. The system was not ideal from the point of visibility and layout, and was too large for use in a domestic environment. The layout was largely dictated by the geometry of the manipulator. Therefore a new workstation system has been constructed using a purpose built manipulator. This new system particularly aims to overcome the poor layout of the earlier workstation and benefits from feedback from users.