Evaluation of the MANUS robot manipulator

The MAN-US robot manipulator was evaluated in a cost-effectiveness study commissioned by the Dutch Council of Health Care Insurance (CvZ). Due to the complexity of evaluating the effect of a device as MANUS, the study involved a wide range of topics; an estimation of the target group, an exploration of technical developments concerning MANUS, an evaluation of the effect MANUS can have for the user, a formulation of criteria for provision. The study showed that MANUS provides a limited group of users with a potential to increase the number and range of activities to be executed resulting in increased independence and a perceived increase in quality of life. Whether this potential will become reality depends on personal characteristics of the user and attuning the context of use to the presence of MANUS. Translating the relevant characteristics of both user and context into criteria for provision is likely to increase the chances of a successful provision of MANUS.