Impacts of the Jaco robotic arm on user satisfaction with performance in everyday activities

Assistive technology (AT) such as the Jaco robotic arm (JRA) provides significant benefits for individuals with upper extremity disabilities (UED). Despite these advantages, barriers including funding limitations, lack of awareness, and insufficient evidence of efficacy can hinder access. This study examined the effectiveness of the JRA by evaluating user performance and satisfaction with occupational performance (OP) before and after device use. A non-experimental retrospective mixed-method study was employed. Participants completed interviews via Zoom using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Interview data were analyzed and member checking was conducted to ensure accuracy. A convenience sample of JRA users in North America, aged 18 years and older, was recruited in collaboration with Partners in Medicine, the device’s North America distributor. The COPM identified challenges in self-care, productivity, and leisure, as well as corresponding performance and satisfaction ratings prior to and following JRA use. Twelve users, aged 30-58, who had used the JRA for 3 weeks to 8 years, participated. Common OP problems included opening and closing doors, retrieving items, drinking, manipulating phones, eating, community mobility, and repositioning body parts. Participants consistently reported meaningful improvements after acquiring the JRA. Individual average performance score change ranged from 3.2 to 8.3, while satisfaction scores ranged from 3.0 to 7.7. This study demonstrated that the JRA was a beneficial AT intervention for study participants. The findings of this study have the following implications for rehabilitation professionals. Rehabilitation professionals can consider the JRA as a useful intervention for those who live with UED. Our research supports previous studies which indicate that the JRA improves performance and satisfaction with performance in meaningful activities for its users. JRA users in this study report experiencing increased independence, health and wellness, social participation and mobility after obtaining the device. Rehabilitation professionals can include outcome assessments, such as the COPM, in their service provision to document the impact of their interventions.

辅助技术（Assistive Technology, AT）如雅科机械臂（Jaco Robotic Arm, JRA），可为上肢功能障碍（Upper Extremity Disabilities, UED）群体带来显著获益。尽管此类技术具备上述优势，但资金限制、认知不足、疗效证据匮乏等障碍仍会阻碍其可及性。本研究通过评估使用者在使用该设备前后的职业表现（Occupational Performance, OP）与满意度，探究雅科机械臂的临床有效性。本研究采用非实验性回顾性混合方法设计。研究对象通过Zoom视频会议平台完成加拿大职业表现评估量表（Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, COPM）访谈。对访谈数据进行分析，并开展成员检验以确保结果准确性。本研究与该设备北美经销商医疗伙伴（Partners in Medicine）合作，招募北美地区18岁及以上的雅科机械臂使用者作为便利抽样样本。

加拿大职业表现评估量表识别了使用者在使用雅科机械臂前后，在自我照料、生产性活动及休闲活动领域面临的挑战，以及对应的表现评分与满意度评分。本研究共纳入12名年龄介于30至58岁的使用者，其使用雅科机械臂的时长为3周至8年不等。研究发现常见的职业表现问题包括开关门、取放物品、饮水、操作手机、进食、社区出行及调整身体姿势。参与者均反馈在使用雅科机械臂后，自身状况获得了具有实际意义的改善。个体平均表现评分变化范围为3.2至8.3，满意度评分变化范围为3.0至7.7。

本研究证实，雅科机械臂是一项对研究参与者有益的辅助技术干预手段。本研究结果对康复专业人员具有以下启示：康复专业人员可考虑将雅科机械臂作为上肢功能障碍群体的有效干预方案。本研究结果支持既往研究结论，即雅科机械臂可提升使用者在有意义活动中的表现水平与满意度。本研究中的雅科机械臂使用者反馈，在使用该设备后，其独立性、健康状况、社会参与度与活动能力均得到提升。康复专业人员可在服务过程中纳入加拿大职业表现评估量表等结局评估工具，以记录干预措施的实际效果。