Application of DAid Smart Shirt Technology in Therapy for Patients with Subacromial Pain Syndrome. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

Background. In recent years, the use of wearable technologies as smart textiles in personalized medicine has increased. In the process of physiotherapy of the upper limb, where there must be movement monitoring, in which the use of textile clothing has only recently begun. Although the use of smart clothing in physiotherapy or rehabilitation overall has been described in the literature, there is a lack of information on its impact on clinical outcomes inpatient population with subacromial pain syndrome. Aim and objectives. To investigate the effect of objective feedback provided by the DAid smart shirt system prototype on the functional and self-reported results of physiotherapy in patients with subacromial pain syndrome. Materials and methods. The doctoral thesis includes two stages of the Technology Transfer Management process. In the first stage: To analyze the possibilities and justification of technology development, the experimental application of the DAid smart shirt system in physiotherapy is performed – one case analysis and the reliability and validity of DAid smart shirt technology measurements are determined. Phase 2: To develop and demonstrate a DAid smart shirt prototype, a randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the effect of the DAid smart shirt prototype system as feedback on the functional performance of patients with subacromial pain syndrome using functional tests and self-reported measurement results. Results. Results of the first stage: The prototype of the DAid smart shirt is an objective and easy-to-use tool to provide feedback on the stability of the shoulder girdle during physiotherapy exercises. DAid smart shirt technology prototype measurement results are stable: left-hand ICC values: 0.91 (95 % CI 0.9–0.92) to 0.99 (95 % CI 0.99–0.99) (p ˂ 0.0001). ICC values for right-hand measurements: 0.91 (95 % CI 0.9–0.91) to 0.99 (95 % CI 0.99–0.99) (p ˂ 0.0001). Measurements of the DAid smart shirt prototype are based on estimating shoulder girdle elevation. Phase 2 results: Patients in the DAid smart shirt group with subacromial pain syndrome showed statistically significantly better results in the functional test (ER/IR ratio, CKCUEST test) and self-reported DASH measurement modules compared to the control group (p < 0.001), where conventional methods were used. Conclusion. The use of DAid smart shirt technology prototype in physiotherapy of patients with subachromial pain syndrome provides better functional tests and better self-reported DASH measurement results compared to conventional methods.