Abstract
Recovery of therapeutic or functional ambulatory capacity in patients with rotator cuff injury is a primary goal of rehabilitation. Wearable powered exoskeletons allow patients to perform repetitive practice with large movements to maximize recovery, even immediately after the acute event. The aim of this paper is to describe the usability, acceptability and acceptance of a hybrid exoskeleton for upper-limb passive rehabilitation using the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire. This equipment, called ExoFlex, is defined as a hybrid exoskeleton since it is made up of rigid and soft components. The exoskeleton mechanical description is presented along with its control system and the way motion is structured in rehabilitation sessions. Seven patients (six women and one man) have participated in the evaluation of this equipment, which are in the range of 50 to 79 years old. Preliminary evidence of the acceptance and usability by both patients and clinicians are very promising, obtaining an average score of 80.71 in the SUS test, as well as good results in a questionnaire that evaluates the clinicians’ perceived usability of ExoFlex.
Highlights
Alterations of the musculoskeletal system are one of the conditions of greater medical consultation at different levels of health care, and within these, shoulder pain occupies an important place, causing considerable functional disability to perform activities of daily life [1]
The aim of this paper is to describe the usability, acceptability and acceptance of a hybrid exoskeleton for upper-limb passive rehabilitation using the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire
ExoFlex is a cable-driven hybrid exoskeleton intended for upper-limb passive rehabilitation
Summary
Alterations of the musculoskeletal system are one of the conditions of greater medical consultation at different levels of health care, and within these, shoulder pain occupies an important place, causing considerable functional disability to perform activities of daily life [1]. In some pathologies of traumatic origin such as rotator cuff tendinopathy or frozen shoulder, recovery of functional capacity must begin early Though, in others, such as fractures, dislocations and arthroplasties, it is important to respect an initial period of immobilization, which helps recovery, reduces pain and edema, helps consolidation and prevents radiological deformities [2]. In others, such as fractures, dislocations and arthroplasties, it is important to respect an initial period of immobilization, which helps recovery, reduces pain and edema, helps consolidation and prevents radiological deformities [2] After this period of immobilization, it is necessary to restore the patient’s functionality using various techniques such as kinesitherapy as soon as possible because of complications such as joint stiffness, muscle atrophy, bone degradation and both capsular and ligamentous retraction, which the immobilization produces [3]. It is not always possible to meet these demands for early and intensive care, especially in the current situation due to the COVID-19 epidemic, where the time to start treatments has been increased due to the limitation/restriction of the number of patients in physiotherapy rooms and the possibility of being treated manually by the therapist, it being frequent to refer the patient to his home with an exercise regimen that did not always present the required adherence, either due to lack of time, lack of motivation or due to pain
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