"<i>Rock on technology</i>": perspectives of people with neurological conditions on robot-assisted lower limb and gait neurorehabilitation.

Abstract

Explore perspectives of people living with neurological conditions in Western Australia (WA) on robot-assisted lower limb neurorehabilitation (RALLR), and implementation requirements. This co-designed, qualitative descriptive study included people living with neurological conditions. In-person semi-structured focus groups (FGs) were facilitated by a person with lived experience of stroke. FGs were recorded, data were transcribed, and thematically analysed using a reflexive approach. Five FGs included 24 participants (54.2% women, median age 50 years). Of these, thirteen participants had RALLR experience. Primary neurological conditions represented among participants comprised spinal cord injury (<i>n</i> = 11), stroke (<i>n</i> = 3), multiple sclerosis (<i>n</i> = 2), and other conditions (<i>n</i> = 8). Three main themes were established: perceived benefits (physiological, psychosocial, therapy, ambulation, independence, and pain), barriers (awareness, access, cost, psychological challenges, and device limitations), and recommendations for future implementation in WA (access, design, and purpose of robotic devices). This study highlights the desire for improved access to RALLR among people living with neurological conditions in WA. Participants acknowledged multiple benefits of RALLR; however, addressing financial, design, and availability barriers of RALLR are necessary for successful adoption. Future efforts should prioritise accessibility in both metropolitan and regional areas, optimise device usability, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in RALLR integration.