{"title":"Perspectives of Occupational Therapists Toward Robot-Assisted Therapy for Stroke Survivors: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Chirathip Thawisuk, Kaoru Inoue, Natsuka Suyama, Ryosuke Miyadera, Chanitpon Bunyawat","doi":"10.1080/07380577.2025.2560986","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Robot-assisted therapy, such as exoskeletons and soft robotics gloves, shows promise for stroke rehabilitation by improving upper limb function, although occupational therapists' clinical adoption remains limited. A scoping review was conducted to explore occupational therapists' perspectives regarding barriers, facilitators, and therapeutic impacts of robots. Seven studies with qualitative and mixed-method approaches were analyzed. Findings indicate that while initial skepticism can be overcome with training and hands-on exposure, technical challenges, and operational difficulties hinder usage. Organizational support and robust training emerge as critical factors to enhance the successful integration of robotics into stroke rehabilitation programs effectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":46157,"journal":{"name":"OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN HEALTH CARE","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN HEALTH CARE","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2025.2560986","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"REHABILITATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Robot-assisted therapy, such as exoskeletons and soft robotics gloves, shows promise for stroke rehabilitation by improving upper limb function, although occupational therapists' clinical adoption remains limited. A scoping review was conducted to explore occupational therapists' perspectives regarding barriers, facilitators, and therapeutic impacts of robots. Seven studies with qualitative and mixed-method approaches were analyzed. Findings indicate that while initial skepticism can be overcome with training and hands-on exposure, technical challenges, and operational difficulties hinder usage. Organizational support and robust training emerge as critical factors to enhance the successful integration of robotics into stroke rehabilitation programs effectively.
期刊介绍:
Occupational Therapy in Health Care is a journal of contemporary practice in occupational therapy. It provides occupational therapy practitioners with a forum to stay up-to-date on current methods and theories in the field. Focused on everyday practice, the journal addresses the concerns of new and experienced therapists, presenting innovations in client evaluations and treatments, current research findings, critical reviews of current textbooks, descriptions of novel programs and descriptions of fieldwork innovations. An essential guide to the changing trends in health care, social services, and education, Occupational Therapy in Health Care provides occupational therapy practitioners with a forum to stay up-to-date on current methods and theories in the field.