Developing Guiding Principles for technology-based rehabilitation program by engaging people with tetraplegia

Abstract Background: Technology-aided rehabilitation is well established in the field of neurologic rehabilitation. Despite the widespread availability, the development of technology-based interventions that incorporate perspectives of the people who will use them is lacking. Objectives: The purpose of the qualitative study is to understand how people with spinal cord injury view rehabilitation technology to inform future intervention development. Methods: Seven participants with chronic upper extremity impairment due to spinal cord injury/dysfunction trialed five rehabilitation technology devices. After 30-45 minutes of equipment use participants engaged in a semi-structured interview. Interviews were analyzed using a qualitative approach to explore the experience using rehabilitation technology and understand features that support future use. Results: Qualitative analysis revealed three major themes: 1) Devices must be flexible to meet diverse needs; 2) Intervention protocols must be individualized to address unique needs and contexts of users; 3) Intervention protocols should be developed and updated by a skilled clinician. These themes and subthemes were used to describe guiding principles to inform future intervention designConclusion: The experiences of people with spinal cord injury can be elicited throughout the intervention design process and guiding principles for protocol design can be developed systematically. The findings can inform future development of technology-aided rehabilitation in people with tetraplegia. Clinical trials registration number: NCT04000256