Evaluation of the implementation of Armeo®Spring in a specialized neurorehabilitation center

Rehabilitation of the upper extremity (UE) is an essential part of the process following an acquired brain injury, where robot technologies have the potential of making the rehabilitation more intensive and effective. However, the implementation of robot technologies in a clinical setting can be complicated and not always successful. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the robot technology Armeo®Spring (Hocoma, Volketswil, Switzerland) at a specialized neurorehabilitation center, and to propose a list of actions for further implementation of the technology.The Study, Act and Plan phases of the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model for structuring technology implementations was applied as the methodological framework in this study. In the Study-phase, nine semi-structured interviews with therapists, using Armeo®Spring, were conducted to evaluate the current implementation. In the Act-phase, a workshop was held with 13 participants to discuss the findings of the Study-phase and to find possible solutions to the identified problems. The results were incorporated into a list of actions (Plan-phase) for further implementation of Armeo®Spring.Facilitating and inhibiting factors for the implementation of Armeo®Spring were identified. Facilitating factors were the practical 'hands-on' approach during training, support from the management, support and sparring with colleagues as well as a positive work culture. The inhibiting factors were related to the retention of the therapists' acquired competencies, the identification of the type of patient that can benefit from this form of training, challenges due to the technical use of Armeo®Spring, and prioritization of the rehabilitation needs of the patients.Several solutions were proposed in the Act-phase, which subsequently resulted in eight concrete actions to facilitate the further implementation of Armeo®Spring. It is expected that these actions will contribute to the further implementation of Armeo®Spring at the neurorehabilitation center. As a first step, an Armeo®Spring group with therapists from all relevant wards was established.