A novel assistive therapy chair to improve trunk control during neurorehabilitation: Perceptions of physical therapists and patients

C M Bauer; I Nast; M Scheermesser; R P Kuster; D Textor; M Wenger; J Kool; D Baumgartner

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103390

A novel assistive therapy chair to improve trunk control during neurorehabilitation: Perceptions of physical therapists and patients

Appl Ergon. 2021 Jul:94:103390. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103390. Epub 2021 Feb 26.

Authors

C M Bauer¹, I Nast², M Scheermesser², R P Kuster³, D Textor⁴, M Wenger⁴, J Kool⁵, D Baumgartner⁴

Affiliations

¹ Zurich University of Applied Sciences, School of Health Professions, Institute of Physiotherapy, Katharina-Sulzer-Platz 9, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Zurich University of Applied Sciences, School of Health Professions, Institute of Physiotherapy, Katharina-Sulzer-Platz 9, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland.
³ Zurich University of Applied Sciences, School of Engineering, Institute of Mechanical Systems, Technikumstrasse 9, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland; Karolinska Institutet Division of Physiotherapy Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Alfred Nobels Allé 23, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden.
⁴ Zurich University of Applied Sciences, School of Engineering, Institute of Mechanical Systems, Technikumstrasse 9, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland.
⁵ Valens Clinics, Valens Rehabilitation Centre, Physiotherapy Department, Valens Clinic, Valens Rehabilitation Centre, 7317 Valens, Switzerland.

PMID: 33640840
DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103390

Abstract

A prototype assistive therapy chair (T-Chair) that induces exercise stimuli to improve trunk control and standing and walking early after stroke has been developed. The aim of this study was to assess its usability in a rehabilitation setting. Eleven physical therapists (PTs) integrated the T-Chair into the therapy programs of 15 patients post stroke. Each patient performed on average four individual therapy sessions on the T-Chair under the PTs' supervision. Usability was assessed using questionnaires, therapy diaries and focus group interviews with PTs'. Among PTs', 64% had generally a positive view on the T-Chair. Physical therapists recognized the potential for unsupervised therapy. Generally, patients reacted positively and enjoyed training. The T-Chair has the potential to become an adequate training tool for patients with an intermediate trunk control after stroke. Further development and usability testing are required to provide a therapeutic device allowing for an intensive therapy early post stroke.

Keywords: Robot-assisted therapy; Stroke; Trunk stability and control.

MeSH terms

Humans
Neurological Rehabilitation*
Perception
Physical Therapists*
Stroke Rehabilitation*
Stroke*