Impacts of robotic arm use on individuals with upper extremity disabilities: A scoping review

Abstract

Background. Robotic arms may help users perform various activities. Even though robotic arms are commercially available, their impacts are still poorly understood. Purpose. This scoping review aimed to identify the potential impacts of using robotic arms for individuals with upper-extremity disabilities and appraise the scientific quality of the selected studies. Method. A search for studies published between 1970 and 2016 was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Compendex, and Scopus. The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement was used to classify activities in which impacts were evaluated. The quality of each study was rated using McMaster University's critical review form for quantitative studies. Findings. Thirty-six studies were reviewed, which evaluated self-care (21), productivity (33), and leisure (8). The short-term impacts were more commonly documented than long-term impacts. The impacts identified were mostly positive. The studies' mean quality score was 8.8/15. Implications. Additional studies with more rigorous conditions are needed to produce higher-quality scientific evidence of the long-term impacts of robotic arm use. Abré gé Description. Les bras robotisés peuvent aider les utilisateurs à réaliser diverses activités. Bien que les bras robotisés soient disponibles sur le marché, leurs impacts sont encore peu connus. But. Cet examen de la portée avait pour but d'identifier les impacts potentiels de l'utilisation de bras robotisés auprès des personnes ayant des incapacités aux membres supérieurs et d'évaluer la qualité scientifique des études sélectionnées. Mé thodologie. Une recherche a été effectuée en vue de repérer des études publiées entre 1970 et 2016 dans PubMed, Embase, Compendex et Scopus. Le Modèle canadien du rendement et de l'engagement occupationnels a été utilisé pour classer les activités dans lesquelles des impacts étaient évalués. La qualité de chaque étude a été déterminée à l'aide du formulaire d'évaluation critique des études quantitatives de la McMaster University. Ré sultats. Trente-six études évaluant les soins personnels (21), la productivité (33) et les loisirs (8) ont été examinées. Les impacts à court terme étaient documentés plus souvent que les impacts à long terme. Dans l'ensemble, les impacts identifiés étaient positifs. La moyenne des scores de qualité des études était de 8,8/15. Consé quences. Davantage d'études devront être menées dans des conditions plus rigoureuses afin de produire des données probantes de plus grande qualité sur les impacts à long terme de l'utilisation de bras robotisés.

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