Logo image
“ Rock on technology ”: perspectives of people with neurological conditions on robot-assisted lower limb and gait neurorehabilitation
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

“ Rock on technology ”: perspectives of people with neurological conditions on robot-assisted lower limb and gait neurorehabilitation

Rachel G. Buckingham, Saran Chamberlain, Amanda Timler, Matthew K. Bagg, Nikki E. Bakhtazad, Taya Hamilton, Patricia Martinet, Bianca Haagman, Stuart I. Hodgetts, Barbara Singer, …
Disability and rehabilitation
2025
pdf
neurorehabilitation2.85 MBDownloadView
CC BY-NC-ND V4.0 Open Access

Abstract

Exoskeleton device end effectors neurological conditions robot-assisted rehabilitation lived experience neurological rehabilitation
Purpose Explore perspectives of people living with neurological conditions in Western Australia (WA) on robot-assisted lower limb neurorehabilitation (RALLR), and implementation requirements. Materials and methods This co-designed, qualitative descriptive study included people living with neurological conditions. In-person semi-structured focus groups (FGs) were facilitated by a person with lived experience of stroke. FGs were recorded, data were transcribed, and thematically analysed using a reflexive approach. Results Five FGs included 24 participants (54.2% women, median age 50 years). Of these, thirteen participants had RALLR experience. Primary neurological conditions represented among participants comprised spinal cord injury (n = 11), stroke (n = 3), multiple sclerosis (n = 2), and other conditions (n = 8). Three main themes were established: perceived benefits (physiological, psychosocial, therapy, ambulation, independence, and pain), barriers (awareness, access, cost, psychological challenges, and device limitations), and recommendations for future implementation in WA (access, design, and purpose of robotic devices). Conclusions This study highlights the desire for improved access to RALLR among people living with neurological conditions in WA. Participants acknowledged multiple benefits of RALLR; however, addressing financial, design, and availability barriers of RALLR are necessary for successful adoption. Future efforts should prioritise accessibility in both metropolitan and regional areas, optimise device usability, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in RALLR integration.

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

Source: InCites

Metrics

3 File views/ downloads
8 Record Views

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Citation topics
1 Clinical & Life Sciences
1.82 Gait & Posture
1.82.263 Gait and Balance
Web Of Science research areas
Rehabilitation
ESI research areas
Social Sciences, general
Logo image