Barriers to the Development and Implementation of Assistive Gaming Technology for Upper-Limb Rehabilitation After Acquired Brain Injury: Stakeholder Perspectives.

Abstract

Acquired brain injuries are one of the leading causes of lasting physical disability worldwide. Current rehabilitation services are insufficient, and an increasingly aging population suggests that this problem will only intensify. Gaming technology has recently shown promise in being able to augment the rehabilitation process, however this technology has not received widespread support from those involved in clinical practice. This Masters thesis attempts to identify the barriers hindering the development and acceptance of gaming technology in the current healthcare system. The results of the research undertaken inform both the written academic component of this thesis and the creative component, the documentary film Mind Games. For both components of the thesis, a range of stakeholders involved in the research, development and the implementation of assistive gaming technology for rehabilitation after stroke were interviewed using semi-structured interview techniques. Some of these interviews were utilised to create Mind Games and some informed the academic component. Their answers were coded thematically and qualitatively analysed for ideas relating to barriers which prevented the development and adoption of assistive gaming technology. Barriers identified ranged from those tangible in nature, to more abstract and complex ones and fell into five main categories: technological and design based barriers, barriers stemming from the healthcare system’s need for trials and evidence, barriers which stem from institutional patterns and processes, barriers involving investments, economics and funding, and barriers inherent in the introduction of new and innovative ideas into complex organisations and systems. This research concludes with suggestions as to how to begin to overcome these barriers and improve rehabilitation services.