Opportunities of Markerless Motion Detection Systems for Use in Neurological Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Study on Patient and Therapist Perspective

Background: Markerless motion detection systems such as Microsoft Kinect are promising systems in client-centered task oriented training in central nervous disorders, but therapists and patients have specific expectations and requirements for use in rehabilitation. Therefore the aim of this study is to assess expectations and requirements of therapists and patients towards the use of Microsoft Kinect in neurological rehabilitation. Methods: A qualitative design was used in which seven focus groups were performed with patients with neurological disorders (n = 15) and physio- and occupational therapists (n = 22) in four rehabilitation centres. The grounded theory was used to analyse data. Results: Two main themes were identified: knowledge-use-experience and expectations and requirements. It was found that knowledge, use and experience cannot be separated as they are connected. Therefore, to use Microsoft Kinect in rehabilitation, people need knowledge and experience with the system. In order to be useful in rehabilitation, Microsoft Kinect system needs to be easy to use independently, easy to set up, low cost and small. The system should also provide patients and therapists with feedback of their performance and/or results. Conclusions: As knowledge and experience with Microsoft Kinect are very important before and during first use, it seems important to inform therapists and patients about the advantages of Microsoft Kinect as opposed to robotic devices or marker-based motion detection systems. By integrating the expectations and requirements in future research, opportunities are created for using Microsoft Kinect into a new client-centered task oriented system in upper limb neurological rehabilitation.