Evaluating the usability of a co-designed power assisted exercise graphical user interface for people with stroke.

Testing was conducted remotely due to the pandemic, meaning users interacted with a virtual mock-up of the interface rather than the physical machine, which may not reflect real-world setup times or physical handling issues. The same participants tested both versions, which could introduce bias as they learned the system during the first round. The study did not measure the severity of motor or cognitive impairments in the stroke group, so it is unclear if the usability findings apply to people with more severe deficits. The sample size was small (19 participants completing the tests), limiting the generalisability of the findings to the broader stroke population.

The study was supported by non-US government funding. The manufacturer of the equipment, Shapemaster Global Ltd, is mentioned in the text as having identified the need for the technology and as having service providers known to the research team, but a specific conflict of interest statement regarding the manufacturer's role in the study design or analysis is not explicitly detailed in the provided text.

Do not assume that the high task completion rates (100%) mean the device is safe or effective for independent use. The study found that users could navigate the menus but often misunderstood the feedback or felt unsafe due to the machine's movement timing. The interface is still in a prototype stage and requires field testing before it can be considered ready for unsupervised clinical or community use.