Background: In recent years, there has been significant growth in the development of rehabilitation technologies (RT) which aim to assist in the assessment and rehabilitation of clinical populations. Despite their potential benefits, evidence indicates that therapists and patients have been slow to adopt RT, and that those adopted are often abandoned in favour of more traditional approaches.
Aim: This scoping review sought to investigate the factors influencing the adoption and sustained use of RT.
Method: The scoping review followed Arksey and O’Malley's five-stage framework. Eight electronic databases were systematically searched. Articles that met the eligibility criteria were analysed in two phases. In Phase 1, literature reviews exploring adoption of RT were analysed using a six-step inductive thematic analysis approach. A thematic map was developed. In Phase 2, data pertaining to sustained use was analysed using an abductive approach where codes were mapped onto the themes developed in Phase 1.
Results: A total of 5486 papers were screened. Of the 36 studies included, 28 explored factors influencing adoption, six looked at factors influencing both adoption and sustained, and two focused solely on sustained use. In Phase 1, four key themes were identified as influencing the adoption of RT in clinical practice: “knowledge”, “device design”, “patients’ and therapists’ characteristics” and “person-centred approach”. In Phase 2, subthemes in existing four themes were modified, expanded, or added, and an additional theme, “wider systemic conditions” was identified.
Conclusion: This scoping review provides valuable insights into the key factors that influence the adoption and sustained use of RT from the perspectives of patients and therapists. These findings can inform the development, evaluation, and implementation of RT by designers and developers, as well as guide decision-making by management and funders. Further research is needed to understand how to effectively support the sustained use of RT and to maximize their potential benefits for patients.