Usability testing of digitally augmented visual feedback for remote exercise rehabilitation of injured dancers and athletes: a mixed-methods feasibility study.

OBJECTIVES

Digital tools facilitate equitable access to guided rehabilitation, however inadequate software and implementation compromise resultant movement fidelity and therefore outcomes. We aimed to develop, and evaluate the usability of, a novel digital tool to support tele-rehabilitation.

DESIGN

An iterative-convergent mixed-methods was used to remotely support participants' rehabilitation. The digital tool superimposed an outline of optimal technique onto the body.

SETTING

Online.

PARTICIPANTS

Twelve injured dancers and 8 athletes were recruited (age: 32.4 ± 12.2).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The System-Usability-Scale (SUS), complemented with explanatory qualitative interviews were analysed using a matching integration strategy and iteratively informed tool and implementation refinement. Scaled questions regarding movement accuracy, error-detection and confidence were analysed to determine efficacy.

RESULTS

SUS mean scores, improved from the first round (mean ± SD) 67 ± 18.6 to the final round 86 ± 5, with all major usability issues resolved. Qualitative analysis revealed seven themes: accessibility, acceptability, integration, confidence, ease of use, learnability and satisfaction. Qualitative analysis guided problem identification and the underlying reasons. Meaningful differences after feedback were observed for accuracy (Cohen's d = 0.9,CI = 95 %) and error detection (d = 0.61) but not confidence (d = 0.34).

CONCLUSIONS

Our digital tool demonstrates encouraging promise for enhancing tele-rehabilitation fidelity, motor-learning, and movement quality. Serious usability issues were resolved, yielding a tool suitable for wider release and integration into rehabilitation support software.