Preliminary Extraction of Themes from a Review About User Perspectives on Assistive Technology for the Upper Limb After Stroke

Use of assistive technology to support the upper extremity of stoke survivors seems promising. Attention for the needs and preferences of the end-user from the start of the design is crucial to avoid device abandonment. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the factors that play a role in the successful use of upper extremity assistive technology in rehabilitation and daily life activities of stroke survivors through a systematic analysis of the literature. Six qualitative studies have been retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO and additional reference tracking. Analysis of user expressions resulted in the specification of three overarching themes: accessibility, usage and personalization.