Patient experience using digital therapy Vigo for stroke patient recovery: a qualitative descriptive study

Background The digital assistant Vigo is a computer-generated artificial intelligence-based application that serves as a digital assistant to a stroke patient and his family. With its conversational chatbot and gamification elements it counsels, educates, and trains the stroke patient and patient's family on stroke, rehabilitation, care, and other related issues. Aim This study describes insights about The digital assitant Vigo usability from a patients' perspective. Methods Twelve patients tested the application at their home environment. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant to obtain information on the usability of the application. Deductive thematic analyses were used to analyze trancripts. Results Participants expressed their opinions on music, pictures, video and audio files, chat options, layout, text, name of application and stand that is used for placement of devices on which Vigo is installed on. All participants generally evaluated application as transparent, understandable, and handy. The overall design of the application was rated as good. Participants were mostly unsatisfied with difficulty level and diversity of exercises. Conclusions Participants had a positive attitude towards using tablet tehchnologies in their home environment. Users of digital assistant Vigo acknowledged its ability to support, give educational information and increase participation in therapeutic activities.

Automated summary

Background The digital assistant Vigo is a computer-generated artificial intelligence-based application that serves as a digital assistant to a stroke patient and his family. With its conversational chatbot and gamification elements it counsels, educates, and trains the stroke patient and patient's family on stroke, rehabilitation, care, and other related issues. Aim This study describes insights about The digital assitant Vigo usability from a patients' perspective. Methods Twelve patients tested the application at their home environment. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant to obtain information on the usability of the application. Deductive thematic analyses were used to analyze transcripts. Results Participants expressed their opinions on music, pictures, video and audio files, chat options, layout, text, name of application and stand that is used for placement of devices on which Vigo is installed on. All participants generally evaluated application as transparent, understandable, and handy. The overall design of the application was rated as good. Participants were mostly unsatisfied with difficulty level and diversity of exercises. Conclusions Participants had a positive attitude towards using tablet tehchnologies in their home environment. Users of digital assistant Vigo acknowledged its ability to support, give educational information and increase participation in therapeutic activities.