Perceived usefulness and ease of using virtual reality during physiotherapy–A cross-sectional survey from physiotherapists perspective

Background: Virtual reality (VR) is a cutting-edge technology that consists of a sophisticated user-computer interface that allows for real-time visualization and interaction by using both visual and auditory sensorial channel. The implementation of inclusive innovation using VR in health services should be considered and hence, this study is conducted to investigate the perceived usefulness and ease of using VR during physiotherapy among Malaysian physiotherapists. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional a survey through social media, with an adapted questionnaire about the perceived usefulness and simplicity of adopting VR during physiotherapy is distributed to physiotherapists in Malaysia. In total, 102 physiotherapists participated in this study. Frequency and percentage are used to analyze the data of questionnaire items.                    Results: Overall 62% agree that using VR would enable to accomplish tasks more quickly, 63% finds it improve job performance, 57% believes that VR would increase my productivity. 59% enhance the effectiveness on the job. 64% easier to do my job, 61% VR useful in job. Regarding perceived ease of use 57% accepts learning to operate VR would be easy for me, 55% find it easy to get VR to do what physiotherapist want it to do, 53% agrees that interaction with VR would be clear and understandable, 54% agree that it is flexible to interact with, 54% agree to be become skillful using VR and lastly 55% agree it is easy to use. Conclusions: The majority of Malaysian physiotherapists find VR slightly useful for inclusive innovation in physiotherapy, improving work efficiency and performance. However, some remain neutral regarding its overall usefulness. They also find VR neither easy nor difficult to use in terms of inclusivity.