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Living With Assistive Robotics: Exploring the Everyday Use of Exoskeleton for Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

Background: Recent advancements in sensor technology and artificial intelligence mechanisms have led to a rapid increase in research and development of robotic orthoses or “exoskeletons” to support people with mobility problems. The purpose of this case study was to provide insight into the lived re...

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Autores principales: Lusardi, Roberto, Tomelleri, Stefano, Wherton, Joseph
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8757861/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35047959
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmedt.2021.747632
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author Lusardi, Roberto
Tomelleri, Stefano
Wherton, Joseph
author_facet Lusardi, Roberto
Tomelleri, Stefano
Wherton, Joseph
author_sort Lusardi, Roberto
collection PubMed
description Background: Recent advancements in sensor technology and artificial intelligence mechanisms have led to a rapid increase in research and development of robotic orthoses or “exoskeletons” to support people with mobility problems. The purpose of this case study was to provide insight into the lived reality of using the assistive robotic exoskeleton ReWalk. Method: We used ethnographic techniques to explore the everyday experience and use of the assistive robotic device. Results: We found that the appropriation and integration of the technology within the patient's everyday lives required a social and collaborative effort, which continued into use. The decisions to utilise the technology (or not) was closely tied to physical, social, cultural, environmental, and psychological factors. Consequently, there was much variation in patients' perception of the technology and opportunities for support. Four themes emerged: (a) Meaning of mobility—physical mobility represents more than functional ability. Its present socio-cultural meaning is associated with an individual's self-identity and life priorities. (b) Accomplishing body-technique—integration with the body requires a long process of skill acquisition and re-embodiment. (c) Adaptation and adjustment in use—successful use of the technology was characterised by ongoing adjustment and adaptation of the technology and ways of using it. (d) Human element—introduction and sustained use of the exoskeleton demand a social and collaborative effort across the user's professional and lay resources. Conclusions: This study highlights that the development and implementation of the technology need to be grounded in a deep understanding of the day-to-day lives and experiences of the people that use them.
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spelling pubmed-87578612022-01-18 Living With Assistive Robotics: Exploring the Everyday Use of Exoskeleton for Persons With Spinal Cord Injury Lusardi, Roberto Tomelleri, Stefano Wherton, Joseph Front Med Technol Medical Technology Background: Recent advancements in sensor technology and artificial intelligence mechanisms have led to a rapid increase in research and development of robotic orthoses or “exoskeletons” to support people with mobility problems. The purpose of this case study was to provide insight into the lived reality of using the assistive robotic exoskeleton ReWalk. Method: We used ethnographic techniques to explore the everyday experience and use of the assistive robotic device. Results: We found that the appropriation and integration of the technology within the patient's everyday lives required a social and collaborative effort, which continued into use. The decisions to utilise the technology (or not) was closely tied to physical, social, cultural, environmental, and psychological factors. Consequently, there was much variation in patients' perception of the technology and opportunities for support. Four themes emerged: (a) Meaning of mobility—physical mobility represents more than functional ability. Its present socio-cultural meaning is associated with an individual's self-identity and life priorities. (b) Accomplishing body-technique—integration with the body requires a long process of skill acquisition and re-embodiment. (c) Adaptation and adjustment in use—successful use of the technology was characterised by ongoing adjustment and adaptation of the technology and ways of using it. (d) Human element—introduction and sustained use of the exoskeleton demand a social and collaborative effort across the user's professional and lay resources. Conclusions: This study highlights that the development and implementation of the technology need to be grounded in a deep understanding of the day-to-day lives and experiences of the people that use them. Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-10-08 /pmc/articles/PMC8757861/ /pubmed/35047959 http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmedt.2021.747632 Text en Copyright © 2021 Lusardi, Tomelleri and Wherton. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
spellingShingle Medical Technology
Lusardi, Roberto
Tomelleri, Stefano
Wherton, Joseph
Living With Assistive Robotics: Exploring the Everyday Use of Exoskeleton for Persons With Spinal Cord Injury
title Living With Assistive Robotics: Exploring the Everyday Use of Exoskeleton for Persons With Spinal Cord Injury
title_full Living With Assistive Robotics: Exploring the Everyday Use of Exoskeleton for Persons With Spinal Cord Injury
title_fullStr Living With Assistive Robotics: Exploring the Everyday Use of Exoskeleton for Persons With Spinal Cord Injury
title_full_unstemmed Living With Assistive Robotics: Exploring the Everyday Use of Exoskeleton for Persons With Spinal Cord Injury
title_short Living With Assistive Robotics: Exploring the Everyday Use of Exoskeleton for Persons With Spinal Cord Injury
title_sort living with assistive robotics: exploring the everyday use of exoskeleton for persons with spinal cord injury
topic Medical Technology
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8757861/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35047959
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmedt.2021.747632
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