Technology Acceptance and Usability of a Therapy System with a Humanoid Robot Serving as Therapeutic Assistant for Post-Stroke Arm and Neurovisual Rehabilitation-An Evaluation Based on Stroke Survivors' Experience.

Abstract

Background: This study performed an evaluation of technology acceptance of the therapeutic system E-BRAiN (Evidence-Based Robot Assistance in Neurorehabilitation) by stroke survivors receiving therapy with the system. Methods: The evaluation was based on a 49-item questionnaire addressing technology acceptance (I) with its constituents, i.e., perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived adaptability, perceived enjoyment, attitude, trust, anxiety, social influence, perceived sociability, and social presence (41 items), and (II) more general items exploring user experience in terms of both technology acceptance (3 items) and usability (5 open-question items). Results: Eleven consecutive sub-acute stroke survivors who had received either arm rehabilitation sessions (n = 5) or neglect therapy (n = 6) led by a humanoid robot participated. The multidimensional "strength of acceptance" summary statistic (Part I) indicates a high degree of technology acceptance (mean, 4.0; 95% CI, 3.7 to 4.3), as does the "general acceptance" summary statistic (mean, 4.1; 95% CI, 3.3 to 4.9) (art II) (scores ranging from 1, lowest degree of acceptance, to 5, highest degree of acceptance, with a score of 3 as neutral experience anchor). Positive ratings were also documented for all assessed constituents (Part I), as well as the perception that it makes sense to use the robot technology for stroke therapy and as a supplement for users' own therapy (Part II). Conclusions: A high degree of technology acceptance and its constituents, i.e., perceived functionality and social behaviour of the humanoid robot and own emotions while using the system, could be corroborated among stroke survivors who used the therapeutic system E-BRAiN.