Biofeedback in partial weight bearing: Usability of two different devices from patient’s and physical therapist’s perspective

Abstract

Background: Partial weight bearing is frequently instructed by physical therapists in patients after lower-limb trauma or surgery. The use of biofeedback devices seems promising to improve patient’s compliance with these instructions. SmartStep and OpenGo Science are biofeedback devices that provide real-time feedback. For a successful spreading of use, usability of the devices is a critical aspect and should be tested from a user’s perspective. Aim: To describe the usability from therapist’s and patient’s perspective of Smartstep and OpenGo Science to provide feedback on partial weight bearing during supervised rehabilitation of patients after lower-limb trauma or surgery. Methods: In a convergent mixed-methods design, qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Usability was subdivided into user performance, satisfaction and acceptability. Patients prescribed with partial weight bearing and their physical therapists were asked to use SmartStep and OpenGo Science during supervised rehabilitation. Usability was qualitatively tested by a think-aloud method and a semi-structured interview and quantitatively tested by the System Usability Scale (SUS) and closed questions. For the qualitative data thematic content analyses were used. Results: Six duos of a physical therapist and a patient participated. The median SUS scores for patients and physical therapists were for SmartStep 69 and 64 and for OpenGo Science 83 and 84, respectively. Scores above 70 were considered as at least passable usability. The qualitative data showed that there were mixed views and perceptions from patients and physical therapist on satisfaction and acceptability. Conclusion: This study gives insight in the usability of two biofeedback devices from the patient’s and physical therapist’s perspective. The overall usability from both perspectives seemed to be at least passable for OpenGo Science and not passable for SmartStep. Implication: With these findings SmartStep and OpenGo Science can be improved. Further research should investigate the usability of biofeedback devices when used at home for research and clinical practice purposes.