Perspectives of End Users on the Potential Use of Trunk Exoskeletons for People With Low-Back Pain: A Focus Group Study
Perspectives of End Users on the Potential Use of Trunk Exoskeletons for People With Low-Back Pain: A Focus Group Study
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DOI：
10.1177/0018720819885788
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发表时间：
2020-01-08
期刊：
影响因子：
3.3
通讯作者：
de Kruif, Anja J. T. C. M.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Baltrusch, Saskia J.;Houdijk, Han;de Kruif, Anja J. T. C. M.
目的：本研究的目的是通过探索潜在最终用户的看法和期望，确定为腰痛患者开发外骨骼时要考虑的标准。背景：社会心理、心理、身体负荷和性格影响腰痛的发生率。被动支撑用户躯干的穿戴式辅助设备（即外骨骼）可以减少机械负荷，并有可能减轻腰痛。以用户为中心的方法可以改善患者安全和健康结果，提高用户满意度并确保可用性。尽管如此，之前的研究并未考虑到最终用户的心理因素和早期参与。方法：我们对腰痛患者 (n = 4) 和医疗保健专业人员 (n = 8) 进行了焦点小组研究。使用一般归纳法对焦点小组会议进行录音、转录和分析。焦点小组讨论包括尝试可用的外骨骼。问题旨在征求有关外骨骼、所需设计规格和可用性的意见。结果：重要的设计特征是舒适性、个人可调节性、穿脱独立性以及支撑的逐步调节。患者对肌肉力量丧失表示担忧。医疗保健专业人员提到了确认用户残疾和增加患者活动防护的风险。结论：焦点小组表明，实施躯干外骨骼来减轻腰痛需要适当的实施策略，包括监督和行为指导。应用：对于医疗保健专业人员来说，最佳的应用领域（预防或康复）仍然存在争议。患者看到了外骨骼克服自身局限性的潜力，并期望它能够改善他们的生活质量。
Objective: The objective of this study was to identify criteria to be considered when developing an exoskeleton for low-back pain patients by exploring the perceptions and expectations of potential end users. Background: Psychosocial, psychological, physical load, and personality influence incidence of low-back pain. Body-worn assistive devices that passively support the user's trunk, that is exoskeletons, can decrease mechanical loading and potentially reduce low-back pain. A user-centered approach improves patient safety and health outcomes, increases user satisfaction, and ensures usability. Still, previous studies have not taken psychological factors and the early involvement of end users into account. Method: We conducted focus group studies with low-back pain patients (n = 4) and health care professionals (n = 8). Focus group sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed, using the general inductive approach. The focus group discussions included trying out an available exoskeleton. Questions were designed to elicit opinions about exoskeletons, desired design specifications, and usability. Results: Important design characteristics were comfort, individual adjustability, independency in taking it on and off, and gradual adjustment of support. Patients raised concerns over loss of muscle strength. Health care professionals mentioned the risk of confirming disability of the user and increasing guarded movement in patients. Conclusion: The focus groups showed that implementation of a trunk exoskeleton to reduce low-back pain requires an adequate implementation strategy, including supervision and behavioral coaching. Application: For health care professionals, the optimal field of application, prevention or rehabilitation, is still under debate. Patients see potential in an exoskeleton to overcome their limitations and expect it to improve their quality of life.