Electrophysiological signals generated during daily activities are essential for monitoring and diagnosing various health conditions. Traditionally, Ag/AgCl electrodes with conductive gels have been used to capture these signals, recording them as electrocardiogram (ECG) and electromyogram (EMG). However, gelled electrodes glued to the skin presents challenges related to placement and are uncomfortable to wear for extended recordings. Recent studies have made significant advancements in dry electrodes for electrophysiological signals, mainly focusing on ECG applications with less emphasis on surface EMG (sEMG). To address this gap, this study introduces a novel set of skin-friendly electrodes made from a blend of conductive carbon black (CB) and partially cross-linked Ecoflex substrates. By varying the proportions of Ecoflex components A and B, a balance between adequate adhesion and electromechanical properties for good skin contact and long-term usabi is achieved, owing to the formation of silanol bonds. The CB-Ecoflex electrodes have been tested through over 50 wash cycles and 100 peel-offs, demonstrating strong durability and use resilience. Additionally, they maintain good recording conditions for 48 h and when sweat and oil are introduced on the skin. These electrodes consistently deliver reliable performance in 48-h continuous sEMG recordings, making them suitable for long-term applications. 

This case study reports the use of a new textile-electrode system for self-administered Phantom Motor Execution (PME) treatment at home in one patient with Phantom Limb Pain (PLP). In follow-up interviews, the patient reported reduced pain, increased mobility, and improved mental health, and aspects such as motivation, usability, support, and treatment outcome, could be recognized from an earlier study as crucial for successful implementation and adoption of the home-based long-term treatment. The findings are of interest to developers, providers, users, and researchers planning home-based clinical studies and/or scenarios based on technology-assisted treatment. 

Objective: To explore patients’ experiences of a self-administered electrotherapy treatment for muscle spasticity in cerebral palsy and stroke; the Exopulse Mollii Suit®. Design: Qualitative design with an inductive approach Subjects: Fifteen patients with spasticity due to stroke or cerebral palsy, participating in a previous randomized controlled trial evaluating the treatment concept.Methods: Information letters were sent to all potential participants (n = 27) in the previous study. Semi-structured interviews (21–57 min) were carried out with all subjects who volunteered (n = 15), administered by an experienced interviewer who was not involved in the previous study. Transcribed interviews were subject to content analysis. Results: The 5 categories that emerged from the content analysis were “New method gives hope”, experiences related to “Using the assistive technology”, “Outcome from training with the assistive technology”, “The assistive technology” and “Taking part in the study”. Respondents felt hopeful when included in the previous study, motivated when experiencing a treatment effect, and disappointed when not. Conclusion: The qualitative approach used in this study elicited complementary information that was not evident from the previous randomized controlled trial. This included statements regarding increased mobility, reduced spasticity, reduced use of medication, and problems related to using the treatment concept.

This study analysed a series of workshops and explored prerequisites for interdisciplinary co-design among industrial designers, design engineers and users in the development of a novel medical device. Presented as a case study, this paper focus on what affects participants’ transformative processes towards genuine participation in co-design processes. Based on activity theory, we suggest that co-design activities have to support not only users, but all participants, shifting their perspectives beyond their own domain’s rules, motives, objects and division of labour, i.e., beyond their own activity system, to support users’ participation as equal members in design teams. We propose that genuine co-design requires a holistic approach where a neutral arena, an impartial facilitator, clear rules of play, along with representational artefacts as mediating tools in the formation of a new collective activity system to foster equality, mutual value and long-term knowledge generation. Such approach requires a process over time.