Rehabilitation professionals’ perceptions of the use of new visualisation software tools with people with stroke

Abstract

Purpose -The envisage programme of research was funded to explore and evaluate the use of visualisation software tools using biomechanical data within rehabilitation. Three work packages were developed to evaluate the impact of the tools within stroke rehabilitation. The research presented here aimed to explore the perceptions of rehabilitation therapists about the use of the visualisation software tools in the context of future randomised controlled trials and stroke rehabilitation practice.Methods -Sixteen therapists working in a range of stroke rehabilitation contexts participated in semi-structured interviews. Interview questions explored their current practice, and the perceived impact of the new visualisation technologies on their workplace environment and practice. Framework analysis was used to analyse the textual data.Results -In general the stroke therapists were enthusiastic about the potential application of the visualisation software tools. Three themes were identified through qualitative framework analysis: potential uses of the visualisation tools; integration within current service provision; and trial involvement. Conclusions -The study highlights important contextual considerations which may impact significantly on the success of novel technologies in stroke rehabilitation.Normalisation process theory was proposed as a useful process evaluation methodology to optimise both trial evaluation and future service implementation.

Using Normalization Process Theory in feasibility studies and process evaluations of complex healthcare interventions: a systematic review

“…In Table 1 , we show that NPT was employed in 26 controlled studies—mainly complex intervention trials—and these generated 40/130 (30.8%) articles [ 19 – 58 ]. These included an intervention design study ( n = 1), feasibility studies ( n = 5), process evaluations ( n = 19) and retrospective documentary analyses ( n = 1), embedded in complex intervention trials.…”

“…They used NPT in ‘identifying and describing the components and sub-components of the intervention’ to understand ‘the nuances associated with collective implementation’. The next most numerous group of studies focused on the implementation of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions ( n = 28, 25.9% [ 19 , 24 – 26 , 28 – 31 , 36 , 37 , 47 , 48 , 55 – 57 , 67 , 69 , 78 , 80 , 90 , 95 , 97 , 98 , 103 , 104 , 111 , 117 , 123 , 126 , 137 , 142 , 143 ]). For example, in the USA, Hoberg et al [ 98 ] examined the implementation of a new form of group therapy for people with mental health problems, while Leon et al [ 48 ] showed how provider initiated testing and counselling for HIV was successfully normalised in a South African setting.…”

Implementation of Dynamic Lycra® Orthoses for Arm Rehabilitation in the Context of a Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial in Stroke: A Qualitative study Using Normalisation Process Theory

“…Clinical users of research are more likely to acknowledge the added value of theory-based analysis if the basic concepts of the theory ring true to their experience. 19 In addition, previous stroke rehabilitation studies successfully employed Normalisation Process Theory 18,[20][21][22][23] and endorsed its value as explanatory theoretical framework. 13,14 The degree of normalisation we observed could be explained through Normalisation Process Theory.…”

A pilot randomised control trial of the efficacy of stability-based training with visualisation for people with chronic ankle instability

“…Visualisation produces real-time feedback by accurately monitoring movement and progress in a diverse, challenging, and controllable environment, representative of real-world situations. Communication could therefore be improved between patient and specialist by making tasks easier to understand, promoting ownership of rehabilitation and intrinsic motivation, whilst enabling objective monitoring of progress [26].…”