A Pilot Study on the User Experience of Different Upper Body Extended Reality Physiotherapy Interventions

The integration of Extended Reality (XR) technology in clinical contexts has shown promising outcomes for diverse vulnerable populations. This paper presents a multistage study conducted to assess user experience during physiotherapy within an XR nature environment, aiming to inform future work in this field. While prior research highlighted the positive impact of XR rehabilitation, comparative analysis between different XR experiences is lacking. This study involved six participants, guided through three stages. Stage 1 used a computer monitor displaying an instructional physiotherapy video, while stages 2 and 3 incorporated XR experiences using a Meta Quest 3 headset. Stage 3 introduced visual and auditory feedback upon completion of exercises. Data collection included pre-study questionnaires, think-aloud interviews and assessments using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA TLX) and the Game User Experience Satisfaction Scale (GUESS-18). Findings revealed that stage 3 caused the highest cognitive workload but also the highest user experience satisfaction. Participants expressed a preference for immersive XR environments, citing enhanced focus and enjoyment. Overall, participants demonstrated a willingness to return to all three stages, further supporting the potential of XR physiotherapy for improving engagement and outcomes in rehabilitation. Further research will explore optimisation strategies regarding workload and user experience and assess long-term impacts on patient outcomes.