The industrial design of a robotic device for upper-limb stroke rehabilitation

Over 16.9 million people worldwide suffer a stroke annually (Feigin et al., 2014, p. 2). Up to 80% of stroke survivors suffer weakness or paralysis in one half of their body, frequently compromising their ability to lead an independent life (Alankus, Lazar, May, & Kelleher, 2010; Buma, Lindeman, Ramsey, & Kwakkel, 2010, p. 589). In order to promote recovery, stroke survivors are recommended to participate in rehabilitation through intensive and repetitive training (McLaren et al., 2020). Robotic rehabilitative devices are a promising tool in assisting stroke rehabilitation, increasing the ability for clinicians to treat more individuals, and facilitating the ability for rehabilitation to be completed at home. However, robotic rehabilitative devices are poorly accepted by users, and experience high levels of rejection and abandonment (Cruz, Emmel, Manzini, & Braga Mendes, 2016). Based on current models of acceptability, it is suggested that this low acceptability is derived from poor user perceptions of ease of use, usefulness, enjoyment, adaptivity, around robotic rehabilitative devices, as well as product- related stigma (Heerink, Kröse, Evers, & Wielinga, 2010; Vaes, 2014a). Instigated by this, this study adopted an empathic, user-centred design model that aimed to implement industrial design to improve the acceptability of these devices. This comprised of the extensive iterative redesign of an existing robotic rehabilitative device, with frequent engagement from stakeholders. This device, alongside the original device, was then tested through trials, questionnaires, and interviews. Results from our study indicate industrial design strategies facilitated meaningful improvements to many dimensions of acceptability. Furthermore, our research identified several novel connections between dimensions of acceptability, and that design may strongly influence them.