A survey on attitudes of rehabilitation professionals on the use of immersive gamification technology systems in therapy

Introduction. Immersive gamification technology systems (ImGTS) are used among patients with physical impairments in different practice settings. Studies have shown moderate evidence for the effectiveness of ImGTS in improving functional outcomes. However, studies are scarce on the use of ImGTS by rehabilitation professionals in clinical practice. Thus, this study aimed to determine attitudes of rehabilitation professionals in using ImGTS in rehabilitation. Methods. This cross-sectional descriptive survey utilized a self-administered online questionnaire, the modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) Questionnaire, to determine perceptions on performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions on using ImGTS for therapy. The study utilized purposive and snowball sampling in recruiting occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, and physiatrists in the Philippines to answer the survey. Results. Results from 47 participants indicate that rehabilitation professionals quite agree that using ImGTS can improve job performance and impact likely functional outcomes among their patients (performance expectancy) [mean 5.5 (SD 0.17)]. They slightly agree that using ImGTS is easy and manageable (effort expectancy) [5.0 (0.12)]. Moreover, they slightly agree with intending to use ImGTS in rehabilitation [4.9 (0.27)] and that they already use ImGTS in clinical practice [4.7 (1.69)]. Yet rehabilitation professionals neither agree nor disagree that significant others in their field of profession influence them when considering the use of ImGTS in therapy (social influence) [4.3 (0.16)] or that they have resources to use ImGTS with their patients and knowledge how to use it (facilitating conditions) [4.3 (0.25)]. Discussion. Rehabilitation professionals intend to use ImGTS and are currently using it as part of their therapy. They also have positive attitudes on ImGTS as regards performance expectancy and effort expectancy. These results support the potential for the adoption of ImGTS as part of clinical practice as efforts to strengthen the evidence for their effectiveness continue.