Investigating a Telerehabilitation Platform Integrated With a Rehabilitation Robot Using Microsoft HoloLens 2 for Upper-Limb Therapy: Pilot Usability Study.

BACKGROUND

Upper-limb impairments following conditions such as stroke and spinal cord injury contribute significantly to long-term disability. Many survivors of stroke face limited access to rehabilitation due to geographical, financial, or scheduling barriers, leaving unmet therapeutic needs.

OBJECTIVE

This study conducted a preliminary evaluation of the usability of a novel telerehabilitation platform integrating a portable, desktop-mounted robot (DMRbotV3) with a mixed reality HoloLens 2 application to support accessible and adaptive upper-limb neurorehabilitation.

METHODS

This was a pilot usability study. Six participants, 3 (50%) stroke survivors (≥3 months after the event) recruited from a hospital stroke registry and 3 (50%) occupational therapists (≥1 year of clinical experience) recruited through convenience sampling in the Greater Milwaukee region, completed a single 2-hour session using the telerehabilitation platform in the BioRobotics laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Participants tried out the system, which delivered passive, active, and resistive exercises through DMRbotV3 combined with interactive mixed reality displays, and then completed a customized usability questionnaire. Data collected included (1) robotic parameters from onboard sensors (joint position, velocity, and interaction forces); (2) participant usability feedback from questionnaires to assess usability, satisfaction, and user engagement; and (3) documentation of adverse events and safety concerns. Descriptive statistics (mean scores and ranges) were used to analyze usability ratings and performance parameters.

RESULTS

The system was safe and well tolerated, with no adverse events reported. All participants completed the session, and usability scores averaged ≥4.0 across all items, reflecting high satisfaction and engagement with mixed reality integration. The robotic system demonstrated smooth performance, with controlled joint velocity profiles (-10 m/s to +10 m/s) and adaptive interaction forces up to approximately 25 N.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study supports the usability of combining robotics and mixed reality technologies into a telerehabilitation platform for upper-limb neurorehabilitation. Participant feedback also identified opportunities for refinement to enhance adaptability and personalization of therapy.