Rehabilitation professionals' perceptions of the use of new visualisation software tools with people with stroke

Citation

Ballinger C, Taylor A, Loudon D & Macdonald AS (2016) Rehabilitation professionals' perceptions of the use of new visualisation software tools with people with stroke. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 11 (2), pp. 139-149. https://doi.org/10.3109/17483107.2015.1111941

Abstract
Purpose: Theenvisageprogramme of research was funded to explore and evaluate the use of visualisation software tools using biomechanical data within rehabilitation. Three work packages were developed to evaluate the impact of the tools within stroke rehabilitation. The research presented here aimed at exploring the perceptions of rehabilitation therapists about the use of the visualisation software tools in the context of future randomised controlled trials and stroke rehabilitation practice. Methods: Sixteen therapists working in a range of stroke rehabilitation contexts participated in semi-structured interviews. Interview questions explored their current practice, and the perceived impact of the new visualisation technologies on their workplace environment and practice. Framework analysis was used to analyse the textual data. Results: In general, the stroke therapists were enthusiastic about the potential application of the visualisation software tools. Three themes were identified through qualitative framework analysis: potential uses of the visualisation tools; integration within current service provision; and trial involvement. Conclusions: The study highlights important contextual considerations which may impact significantly on the success of novel technologies in stroke rehabilitation. Normalisation process theory was proposed as a useful process evaluation methodology to optimise both trial evaluation and future service implementation.

Keywords
Biomechanical data; qualitative research; visual software technology; stroke rehabilitation

Journal
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology: Volume 11, Issue 2

People

Dr Anne Taylor

Senior Lecturer in Nursing, Health Sciences Stirling