Integrating Clinical Expertise in the Design of Home-Based Smart Rehabilitation Devices for Motor and Cognitive Therapy in Patients with Neurological Disorders

Home-based motor and cognitive rehabilitation are critical for fostering autonomy and reducing long-term healthcare dependency among patients with neurological impairments. Although existing commercial and research-based devices like smart walkers and other mobility aids cater to some patient needs, their design predominantly reflects technical, rather than clinical perspectives, resulting in limited alignment with the specific functional needs of patients with complex neurological deficits. This study aims to bridge this gap by directly involving the domain experts in the definition of the features and functionalities of assistive smart devices tailored to motor assistance and rehabilitation in home environments. Central to this approach is the integration of insights from clinical experts, including physicians, psychologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, who bring a nuanced understanding of patient needs within daily life contexts. The main qualitative features that a smart bed and smart walker, integrated into a home-based system for assistance and rehabilitation, should incorporate have been identified through collaborative brainstorming sessions with the experts. These results set up a starting point for these devices’ development.