Perspectives on the prospective development of stroke-specific lower extremity wearable monitoring technology: a qualitative focus group study with physical therapists and individuals with stroke.
Dennis R Louie, Marie-Louise Bird, Carlo Menon and 1 others
PMID 32098628WHAT IT FOUND
Physical therapists want stroke-specific wearable technology to measure gait quality and home activity, not just step counts.
They require devices that are small, easy to use with one hand, and provide clear feedback. Cost and setup time are major barriers to adoption.
Key findings
01Therapists and patients distinguished between clinic assessment and home monitoring, noting that patients often perform better in the clinic than at home.
02Desired features included measuring compensatory movements and muscle activation, rather than relying solely on step counts or speed.
03Barriers to adoption included high cost, difficult setup, infection control policies, and therapists' concern that technology might make patients more passive.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only three individuals with stroke, which is a very small sample for capturing the patient perspective. Therapists participated in focus groups with colleagues from their own workplace, which may have inhibited honest discussion or led to groupthink. The study explored perceptions of prospective technology, not the actual use or efficacy of existing devices. Participants were recruited from a specific geographic area and may not represent broader practice patterns.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this study proves that wearable technology improves stroke outcomes. It only reports what therapists and a few patients want in a future device. There is no evidence here that these devices work or are currently available.