Simulated real-world feasibility and feedback session for a lift assistance device, Raymex™: a mixed-method descriptive study.
Michael Kalu, Andrew Chaston, Niousha Alizadehsaravi and 2 others
PMID 39318538WHAT IT FOUND
Participants found the Raymex lift useful for getting up from the floor and as a walker.
They also raised design concerns, including confusing brake buttons, seat comfort, noise, weight, and price. This was feedback on this device version, not proof it prevents falls.
Key findings
01Older adults said the most significant feature was the ability to get up from the floor.
023 participants reported the seat was uncomfortable, and 3 participants did not like the braking button design.
03Participants raised questions about insurance coverage and discussed possible cost savings for ambulance services.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample was small, and older adults and informal caregivers came from one healthcare organization in Nova Scotia, so the feedback may not be comprehensive or generalizable. The study did not include all relevant team members, such as nurses and geriatricians. A product engineer and the chief executive officer of the device were present during feedback sessions, which may have limited negative feedback. The study reported descriptive feedback on version 4, not a trial of efficacy.
Declared interests
The authors declare that the study received funding from Invest Nova Scotia and that the funder was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation, writing, or submission. The Raymex device was developed by Axtion Independence Mobility Inc, and the paper states that a Raymex developer, either a product engineer or the chief executive officer, was present at each session.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read participants' positive feedback as evidence that the Raymex lift prevents falls or is better than other devices. The study described what participants said after practicing a version of the device, and it did not test fall outcomes or compare devices.