Assessing Clinicians' Expectations And Experiences With An Automated Rehabilitation System Using Technology Acceptance Model

PURPOSE: Wearable sensor systems maximize visual and clinical feedback for patients and providers to enhance outcomes in rehabilitation medicine. However, clinicians must adopt and accept new technologies for full integration into routine care. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is a theoretical framework that examines technology adoption by perceived usefulness and ease of use. This study used TAM to describe clinicians’ expectations and experiences before and after using a novel wearable system in outpatient physical therapy. METHODS: Five outpatient physical therapists (PT) were recruited. Each PT completed a survey before (pre-survey) and after (post-survey) exposure to the wearable system. The surveys included 18 questions based on the TAM, assessing perceived usefulness and ease of use. Exposure to the system, an automated rehabilitation system (ARS), included a two-hour training session, one month of practice, and use in regular physical therapy care for five new physical therapy patients (≥18 yrs, with no cognitive disabilities or diagnosis). The ARS uses inertial measurement unit sensors on the participant's body, affixed around the joint of interest, to measure joint range of motion (ROM) and display the movement on a screen as an avatar. A semi-structured focus group discussion was also held to gather training and user experience information. Summary data showing mean pre- and post-survey scores and responses for open-ended and focus group questions are presented. RESULTS: Pre-survey data show favorable expectations for usefulness and ease of use. For usefulness, all responses moved in the less favorable direction (mean difference = -4.4; SD = 2.9). All but two responses moved in the less favorable direction for ease of use (mean difference = -4.8; SD = 1.6). Responses to open-ended and focus group questions were grouped thematically into barriers (e.g., set-up challenges, need functional movements) and opportunities (e.g., home-based physical therapy, active ROM measurement, instant visual feedback). CONCLUSION: The TAM-based survey responses and thematic outcomes demonstrated clinicians’ interest in using new technology in usual care while also showing that the ARS did not meet their expectations. These results offer important insights for the development and refinement of systems.