Maria Almenara-Masbernat*, Rosa Rodriguez, Urbez Santana, Ignasi Soriano, Esther Duarte, Josep Medina and Eloy Opisso
Purpose: (1) To develop a smart jacket with sensors embedded in the sleeve that monitors the upper limb movement through a User Centered Design (UCD) process and (2) to assess by means of a Usability Test whether this tool can be used in upper limb rehabilitation of people with neurological diseases such as spinal cord injuries or strokes.
Methods: 32 participants (aged 25-65), 16 patients with neurological diseases and 16 experts were included in the UCD process for two years of development divided in three parts: (i) focus group, (ii) pilot test and (iii) evaluation of the product, which contains the usability test (UT). During UT the participants performed 10 actions wearing the jacket and assessed it by filling out usability questionnaire with 11 questions that answer eight usability items (satisfaction, effectiveness, easiness of use, safety, comfort, usability, aesthetics and feedback).
Results: User’s scores about satisfaction, effectiveness, easiness of use and safety were above 4.5, comfort and usability above 4.0. Expert’s scores about satisfaction, usability, effectiveness were below 4.0. Safety, comfort and easiness of use remained above 4. In both groups, aesthetics were the worst rated with a score less than 4.0. Feedback could not be assessed because it was not operational.
Conclusion: Based on inputs, the device showed to be tool for the upper limb rehabilitation because it monitors the patients’ movements, it provides a feedback and it collects data for the therapist. However, several aspects such as feedback and aesthetics need to be addressed to improve its usability.
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