Advancing Digital Access to Physical Therapy via Virtual and Extended Reality Technology: Prototype Development and Usability Evaluation.
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| Titel: | Advancing Digital Access to Physical Therapy via Virtual and Extended Reality Technology: Prototype Development and Usability Evaluation. |
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| Autoren: | Tiase VL; Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 421 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, United States, 1 801-585-3945., Fritz JM; Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, College of Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States., Ferraro J; Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States., Bayles G; Division of Games, College of Architecture and Planning, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States., Alsaleem A; School of Computing, College of Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States., Del Fiol G; Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 421 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, United States, 1 801-585-3945., Kawamoto K; Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 421 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, United States, 1 801-585-3945., Brodke D; Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States., Martin B; Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States., Altizer R; Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States. |
| Quelle: | JMIR formative research [JMIR Form Res] 2025 Dec 05; Vol. 9, pp. e73783. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Dec 05. |
| Publikationsart: | Journal Article |
| Sprache: | English |
| Info zur Zeitschrift: | Publisher: JMIR Publications Country of Publication: Canada NLM ID: 101726394 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2561-326X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 2561326X NLM ISO Abbreviation: JMIR Form Res Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Toronto, ON, Canada : JMIR Publications, [2017]- |
| MeSH-Schlagworte: | Physical Therapy Modalities* , Virtual Reality* , Low Back Pain*/rehabilitation , Low Back Pain*/surgery, Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Health Services Accessibility ; User-Computer Interface |
| Abstract: | Background: The United States faces significant challenges in physical therapy (PT) access due to high demand, a shortage of professionals, and patient-related obstacles, which can adversely affect recovery and function. Limited access to PT may lead to increased dependence on medications for pain management, highlighting the need for nonpharmacologic options to reduce opioid overprescribing. Low back pain, a leading cause of disability and high medical costs, is a common reason for requiring PT following surgery. Studies have shown that virtual reality (VR)-guided movements can improve motor function and reduce pain intensity. Objective: The objective of this study was to design, develop, and evaluate a VR-based prototype for individualized postoperative PT for patients recovering from back surgery to investigate its potential to improve convenience, access, and health outcomes in future research. Methods: Study methods involved participatory design and development of VR software for PT back exercises using the design box method, an inductive, problem-oriented collaborative design approach. A usability evaluation of the resulting prototype was conducted with patients recovering from back surgery using a think-aloud protocol and usability survey. Results: Six participants evaluated the VR prototype and reported usability challenges that included mismatched VR boundaries, limited familiarity with VR, and difficulties with the headset and hand controls. The System Usability Scale resulted in a total usability score of 58.3 out of 100, indicating a below-average score (68 being average). Conclusions: In the design and evaluation of a VR-based PT prototype, we found that while participants were enthusiastic, they faced usability challenges due to insufficient instructions and difficulties operating the VR device, highlighting the need for effective onboarding and extensive prototype testing to improve accessibility and engagement in health care. Future evaluations will investigate disparities among different groups to ensure accessibility and effectiveness for all users. (© Victoria Lynn Tiase, Julie Fritz, Jesse Ferraro, Gregory Bayles, Ahmad Alsaleem, Guilherme Del Fiol, Kensaku Kawamoto, Darrel Brodke, Brook Martin, Roger Altizer. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org).) |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: access to care; low back pain; physical therapy; user-centered design; virtual reality |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20251205 Date Completed: 20251205 Latest Revision: 20251207 |
| Update Code: | 20251207 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12679964 |
| DOI: | 10.2196/73783 |
| PMID: | 41348506 |
| Datenbank: | MEDLINE |
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Nájsť tento článok vo Web of Science | Abstract: | Background: The United States faces significant challenges in physical therapy (PT) access due to high demand, a shortage of professionals, and patient-related obstacles, which can adversely affect recovery and function. Limited access to PT may lead to increased dependence on medications for pain management, highlighting the need for nonpharmacologic options to reduce opioid overprescribing. Low back pain, a leading cause of disability and high medical costs, is a common reason for requiring PT following surgery. Studies have shown that virtual reality (VR)-guided movements can improve motor function and reduce pain intensity.<br />Objective: The objective of this study was to design, develop, and evaluate a VR-based prototype for individualized postoperative PT for patients recovering from back surgery to investigate its potential to improve convenience, access, and health outcomes in future research.<br />Methods: Study methods involved participatory design and development of VR software for PT back exercises using the design box method, an inductive, problem-oriented collaborative design approach. A usability evaluation of the resulting prototype was conducted with patients recovering from back surgery using a think-aloud protocol and usability survey.<br />Results: Six participants evaluated the VR prototype and reported usability challenges that included mismatched VR boundaries, limited familiarity with VR, and difficulties with the headset and hand controls. The System Usability Scale resulted in a total usability score of 58.3 out of 100, indicating a below-average score (68 being average).<br />Conclusions: In the design and evaluation of a VR-based PT prototype, we found that while participants were enthusiastic, they faced usability challenges due to insufficient instructions and difficulties operating the VR device, highlighting the need for effective onboarding and extensive prototype testing to improve accessibility and engagement in health care. Future evaluations will investigate disparities among different groups to ensure accessibility and effectiveness for all users.<br /> (© Victoria Lynn Tiase, Julie Fritz, Jesse Ferraro, Gregory Bayles, Ahmad Alsaleem, Guilherme Del Fiol, Kensaku Kawamoto, Darrel Brodke, Brook Martin, Roger Altizer. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org).) |
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| ISSN: | 2561-326X |
| DOI: | 10.2196/73783 |