Exploring Rehabilitation Patients' Perspectives on What Matters for the Adoption of Home-Based Rehabilitation Technology: Q-Methodology Study.

Background: Rehabilitation technologies can support recovery and rehabilitation outside clinical settings. However, their adoption remains challenging. Factors such as ease of use, perceived benefits, and social influence play a role, but little is known about how rehabilitation patients perceive their relative importance.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically explore the viewpoints of rehabilitation patients regarding the adoption of home-based rehabilitation technology.

Methods: Between May and September 2024, this study examined the viewpoints of rehabilitation patients with acquired brain injury regarding the adoption of home-based rehabilitation technology using Q-methodology. A purposive sample of 21 participants ranked 34 opinion statements based on perceived importance and explained their choices during follow-up interviews. By-person factor analysis identified common patterns in how participants ranked the statements. These patterns, referred to as factors or viewpoints, were further interpreted using qualitative interview data.

Results: Three viewpoints were identified, each highlighting different factors important for adopting home-based rehabilitation technology: (1) technology supporting rapid recovery, (2) technology supporting independence and self-control, and (3) technology as a supporting partner. Participants consistently emphasized the importance of regaining independence, receiving feedback during exercises, simple and easy-to-use designs, and approval from therapists, while positive reports in mainstream media, support from friends, and reducing travel to rehabilitation centers were considered less important.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that rehabilitation patients with acquired brain injury prioritize different factors when adopting home-based rehabilitation technology. While some factors are commonly valued, the diversity in patient viewpoints underscores the need for tailored, user-centered approaches in the design and implementation of these technologies. A one-size-fits-all approach would likely be ineffective in meeting their varying needs.