Patient experience using digital therapy “Vigo” for stroke patient recovery: a qualitative descriptive study

Klinta Epalte, Signe Tomsone, Aivars Vētra, Guna Bērziņa (Corresponding Author)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The digital assistant “Vigo” is a computer-generated artificial intelligence-based application that serves as a digital assistant to a stroke patient and his family. With its conversational chatbot and gamification elements it counsels, educates, and trains the stroke patient and patient's family on stroke, rehabilitation, care, and other related issues. Aim: This study describes insights about The digital assitant “Vigo” usability from a patients' perspective. Methods: Twelve patients tested the application at their home environment. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant to obtain information on the usability of the application. Deductive thematic analyses were used to analyze trancripts. Results: Participants expressed their opinions on music, pictures, video and audio files, chat options, layout, text, name of application and stand that is used for placement of devices on which “Vigo” is installed on. All participants generally evaluated application as transparent, understandable, and handy. The overall design of the application was rated as good. Participants were mostly unsatisfied with difficulty level and diversity of exercises. Conclusions: Participants had a positive attitude towards using tablet tehchnologies in their home environment. Users of digital assistant “Vigo” acknowledged its ability to support, give educational information and increase participation in therapeutic activities.Implications for rehabilitation Tablet application can support, give educational information, and increase participation in therapeutic activities for persons after stroke. As home-based rehabilitation tool, the content of the application must be simple, flexible, and diverse, to face the challenges of meeting each individual's goals, functional needs and abilities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)175-184
Number of pages10
JournalDisability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
Volume18
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords*

  • digital therapeutic
  • qualitative study
  • rehabilitation
  • Stroke

Field of Science*

  • 3.3 Health sciences

Publication Type*

  • 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

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