Usability and acceptance of an upper-limb exosuit in the home environment

Abstract

Exosuits show promise for daily assistance, yet real-world usability studies are scarce. A 14-day home study evaluated the usability and acceptance of the Myoshirt for an individual with Bethlem Myopathy, marking its first deployment without a supervising expert. Questionnaires including the System Usability Scale and the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology were collected. Results indicated good usability (SUS = 70) but low satisfaction (QUEST = 2.25). Critical issues included difficulties with donning, discomfort, and concerns regarding aesthetics. The preliminary findings highlight the necessity of designing exosuits for independent, long-term use to achieve higher user acceptance.