Exploring the Needs and Expectations of Inpatients Towards Assistive Technologies During Neuromotor Rehabilitation

Background: technology can significantly improve quality of life for individuals with motor and cognitive disabilities, especially during the transition from rehabilitation to home. However, the success of assistive solutions depends on understanding patients’ functional status, needs, and attitudes toward technology. Methods: we investigated these factors using a multimodal assessment protocol, including the USASS questionnaire and ADL/IADL scales, among 69 participants admitted to intensive neuromotor rehabilitation, most of whom had caregivers (83.6%). Participants were grouped into three sample-derived ordinal categories (Low, Medium, High) based on ADL/IADL scores and age. Results: functional autonomy strongly predicts technology adoption and perceived benefits, surpassing age as a determinant. Individuals in the group with higher sample-derived functional levels reported greater independence in technology use and higher Quality Tech Impact scores. Correlation analysis confirmed moderate-to-strong positive associations between ADL/IADL scores and Quality of Life Index, with the strongest association observed for IADL (ρ = 0.703, 95% CI: 0.559–0.806, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that interventions should prioritise improving functional skills rather than focusing solely on age-related factors to enhance technology adoption and its positive impact. A proactive attitude toward technology is essential to avoid ineffective investments in assistive solutions. Ultimately, functional autonomy emerges as an important contributor of both technological engagement and overall well-being.