Abstract
Physical activity monitoring with wearable technology has the potential to support stroke rehabilitation. Little is known about how physical therapists use and value the use of wearable activity monitors. This cross-sectional study explores the use, perspectives, and barriers to wearable activity monitoring in day-to-day stroke care routines amongst physical therapists. Over 300 physical therapists in primary and geriatric care and rehabilitation centers in the Netherlands were invited to fill in an online survey that was developed based on previous studies and interviews with experts. In total, 103 complete surveys were analyzed. Out of the 103 surveys, 27% of the respondents were already using activity monitoring. Of the suggested treatment purposes of activity monitoring, 86% were perceived as useful by more than 55% of the therapists. The most recognized barriers to clinical implementation were lack of skills and knowledge of patients (65%) and not knowing what brand and type of monitor to choose (54%). Of the non-users, 79% were willing to use it in the future. In conclusion, although the concept of remote activity monitoring was perceived as useful, it was not widely adopted by physical therapists involved in stroke care. To date, skills, beliefs, and attitudes of individual therapists determine the current use of wearable technology.
Highlights
IntroductionStroke is a major cause of disability and is an age-dependent problem [1]
Approximately 100 therapists were recruited via a primary care stroke network and approximately 200 therapists were recruited via a contact person within their rehabilitation center
Most of the participants worked in a rehabilitation center as a physical therapist (n = 58)
Summary
Stroke is a major cause of disability and is an age-dependent problem [1]. With an aging society and improved acute care, the number of stroke survivors living with long-term stroke consequences is increasing beyond the level of increase of professional capacity [2,3]. Many stroke survivors show deteriorated levels of functioning, with low levels of physical activity [4,5]. Being physically active is an important determinant of social participation and is a major target of stroke rehabilitation [6]. Being physically active is related to physical and psychosocial functioning, quality of life, and reduction of cardiovascular risk factors [7,8,9,10]
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