A feasibility study to empower patients with individualised physical rehabilitation through wearable technology: The potential of the ‘RehabBuddy’ system

Background Wearable feedback may support performance of prescribed upper extremity exercises, but the feasibility of delivering individualised feedback must be established before effectiveness is determined. This feasibility study evaluated the feasibility of a new wearable technology called ‘RehabBuddy’. Methods Thirty-five patients undergoing upper extremity rehabilitation volunteered to complete therapist-prescribed exercises under three conditions: physical therapist feedback, no feedback, and RehabBuddy feedback (RBf). Recruitment, System Usability Scale scores, technical problems, data completeness, and movement errors across three feedback conditions are summarised descriptively. Results Sixty patients were approached, 35 agreed to participate and were enrolled, yielding a 58% recruitment rate. Five participants (10 exercises) were excluded because the feedback interfaces were modified, movement-error data was available for 42 of 57 eligible exercises 74% (CI 95 61%–83%). Technical problems prevented analysis of 15 exercises (26%). Descriptive movement-error estimates suggested a signal favouring RBf that warrants future evaluation in an adequately powered study. Conclusion Recruitment and supervised use of the ‘RehabBuddy’ system were achievable in a single-session clinical setting, and the system generated interpretable movement-error measures for most eligible exercises. However, technical problems and research-team-assisted calibration preclude conclusions about feasibility during independent home use. Technical refinements and a home-based feasibility study are needed before an effectiveness trial.