Mechanochromic integrated smart textiles for home-based rehabilitation: a systematic scoping review of assistive feedback design.

PURPOSE: Mechanochromic materials provide real-time visual feedback by changing colour in response to mechanical stimuli, offering novel opportunities for posture monitoring and joint-control exercises in rehabilitation. This systematic scoping review explores ergonomic-friendly human interaction for home-based telerehabilitation, with a specific focus on mechanochromic integrated smart textiles and their integration strategies and applications.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, 47 peer-reviewed studies were synthesised to map evidence, identify design gaps, and extract user-centred principles. Additionally, a systematic classification of target user groups was derived from the literature to provide tailored recommendations for future product development.

RESULTS

Findings highlight the need for feedback frameworks that reduce cognitive workload, enhance usability, and improve accessibility, underscoring the promising application prospects of mechanochromic colour feedback in providing ergonomic benefits for diverse user groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Design implications are proposed to guide the translation of integrated mechanochromic feedback from laboratory prototypes to practical, user-friendly and commercially viable physical rehabilitation solutions.