RT Journal Article
T1 A usability study in patients with stroke using MERLIN, a robotic system based on serious games for upper limb rehabilitation in the home setting
A1 Guillén-Climent, Silvia
A1 Garzo, Ainara
A1 Muñoz-Alcaraz, María Nieves
A1 Casado-Adam, Pablo
A1 Arcas-Ruiz-Ruano, Javier
A1 Mejías-Ruiz, Manuela
A1 Mayordomo-Riera, Fernando Jesús
K1 Stroke
K1 Neurological rehabilitation
K1 Upper extremity
K1 Telerehabilitation
K1 Serious games
K1 Home training
K1 Robot
K1 Accidente cerebrovascular
K1 Neurorrehabilitación
K1 Extremidad superior
K1 Telerrehabilitación
K1 Ejercicio en circuitos
AB Background: Neuroscience and neurotechnology are transforming stroke rehabilitation. Robotic devices, in addition to telerehabilitation, are increasingly being used to train the upper limbs after stroke, and their use at home allows us to extend institutional rehabilitation by increasing and prolonging therapy. The aim of this study is to assess the usability of the MERLIN robotic system based on serious games for upper limb rehabilitation in people with stroke in the home environment. Methods: 9 participants with a stroke in three diferent stages of recovery (subacute, short-term chronic and long term chronic) with impaired arm/hand function, were recruited to use the MERLIN system for 3 weeks: 1 week training at the Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), and 2 weeks at the patients’ homes. To evaluate usability, the System Usability Scale (SUS), Adapted Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST), and the ArmAssist Usability Assessment Questionnaire were used in the post-intervention. Clinical outcomes for upper limb motor function were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: 9 patients participated in and completed the study. The usability assessment reported a high level of satisfaction: mean SUS score 71.94% (SD=16.38), mean QUEST scale 3.81 (SD=0.38), and mean Adapted IMI score 6.12 (SD=1.36). The results of the ArmAssist Questionnaire showed an average of 6 out of 7, which indicates that MERLIN is extremely intuitive, easy to learn and easy to use. Regarding clinical assessment, the Fugl-Meyer scores showed moderate improvements from pre- to post-intervention in the total score of motor function (p=0.002). There were no signifcant changes in the Modifed Ashworth scale outcomes (p=0.169). Conclusions: This usability study indicates that home-based rehabilitation for upper limbs with the MERLIN system is safe, useful, feasible and motivating. Telerehabilitation constitutes a major step forward in the use of intensive rehabilitation at home.
PB BioMed Central
YR 2021
FD 2021-02-23
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/4248
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/4248
LA en
NO Guillén-Climent S, Garzo A, Muñoz-Alcaraz MN, Casado-Adam P, Arcas-Ruiz-Ruano J, Mejías-Ruiz M, et al. A usability study in patients with stroke using MERLIN, a robotic system based on serious games for upper limb rehabilitation in the home setting. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2021 Feb 23;18(1):41
DS RISalud
RD Apr 6, 2025