User-centred input for a wearable soft-robotic glove supporting hand function in daily life

Many stroke patients and elderly have a reduced hand function, resulting in difficulties with independently performing activities of daily living (ADL). Assistive technology is a promising alternative to support the upper limb in performing ADL. To avoid device abandonment, end-users should be involved early in the design and development phase to identify user requirements for assistive technology. The present study applies a user-centred approach to identify user requirements for wearable soft-robotic gloves targeted at physical support of hand function during ADL for elderly and stroke patients. Elderly, stroke patients and healthcare professionals, participating in focus groups, specified requirements regarding: 1) activities that need support of assistive technology, 2) design of wearable robotic devices for hand support, and 3) application of assistive technology as training tool at home. Assistive technology for the support of the hand is considered valuable by users for assisting ADL, but only if the device is wearable, compact, lightweight, easy to use, quickly initialized, washable and only supports the particular function(s) that an individual need(s) assistance with, without taking over existing function(s) from the user.