Design Attributes for Adaptive Tool’s Innovation in Rehabilitation Setting: A Scoping Research

Abstract

Innovation in rehabilitation represents creative design which involve adaptive tool (AT) for patients in the occupational therapy department. Earlier, an online survey on innovative activities among OT has been conducted on thirty Malaysian occupational therapists. Findings indicate that 80% of the occupational therapists innovate new tools during rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to identify design attributes of AT as issues highlighting the low rate of AT usage based on several factors; non-compliance, uncomfortable design, insufficient instruction and training, and also due to user’s personality i.e. lack of personal acceptance and confidence in using AT. A scoping review of 20 relevant literatures related to the usage, effectiveness and barriers of AT are drawn widely from the rehabilitation journal in the period between 1968 – 2018, and from design psychology journals to support the findings. A summary of each themes that has been highlighted from this review are AT prescribe factors, AT equipment factors and AT education factors. This review suggests that future research for creative activities in rehabilitation shall be provided with design consideration in order to bring better AT creation. The implications of these findings for the effects of innovation are discussed.