Usability Validation of a Parallel Bar Device with Vibrating Stimulus for Neuropathologies Treatment

Neurological diseases are usually associated to motor functions impairment, such as gait and balance implication. In general, rehabilitation aims to provide performance gain on daily live activities. The use of whole-body vibrations allied to conventional treatment has been increasing. It is suggested that vibrations increase the sensory afferents excitability, contributing to gait, balance and proprioception, in addition to decreasing spasticity. Among the vibrating platforms used for this purpose, a vibrating device that allows walking on it was selected, enabling the performance of static or dynamic vibratory protocols. With this equipment, improvement opportunities were identified then motivated its retrofit. The changes were made aiming the robustness increase, better mass distribution and the development of an intuitive HMI. Besides the engineering tests, considerations about user interaction with the equipment and technology are essential. Usability testing addresses aspects that allow evaluating the implications of the applied technology for the user. In this sense, in order to verify the effectiveness of the retrofit for the user. In this way, a usability test was performed with professionals through the SUS scale. The test was applied to five physiotherapists, resulting on 97.5 points average evaluation. This grade suggests the device classification as the”Best Imaginable”. Regarding the SUS evaluation, it is suggested that execution of static and dynamic protocols is feasible, since, according to the professional evaluation and considerations, the device can be used to perform neuropathological patients protocol.