Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology

Purpose: Older adults may abandon or discontinue the use of assistive products due to low levels of satisfaction. Only few studies have examined need and satisfaction related to the use of assistive products for this group in China. As such, research is needed to improve satisfaction with assistive products and related services. Method: This study used technology acceptance theory to examine the self-reported need for, and ownership of, assistive products among older adults in China, as well as to examine the association between services and satisfaction with assistive products; the underlying mechanism of this association was also assessed...

The application of robotic devices is being used as Assistive Technology (AT) for improving rehabilitation interventions. The purposes of this research were to (1) test a novel low-cost robotic AT to support interventions for people with Cerebral Palsy (CP); (2) determine its usability; and (3) analyze its impact. It was a pilot study with prospective, longitudinal and analytical cohorts was done. Intervention was developed in one association (NGO) of people with CP. Participants were 6 women and 3 men with CP, with a mean age of 51...

Purpose: Eye-gaze technology offers professionals a range of feedback tools, but it is not well understood how these are used to support decision-making or how professionals understand their purpose and function. This paper explores how professionals use a variety of feedback tools and provides commentary on their current use and ideas for future tool development. Methods and Materials: The study adopted a focus group methodology with two groups of professional participants: those involved in the assessment and provision of eye-gaze technology ( n = 6) and those who interact with individuals using eye-gaze technology on an ongoing basis ( n = 5)...

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess employment characteristics of individuals with physical disabilities who currently participate in adaptive gaming and determine if there is a positive association between adaptive gaming and employment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was administered to individuals with disabilities who currently use adaptive video gaming equipment to gather information on demographics, gaming habits, employment characteristics, and subjective benefits of gaming on employment...

Worldwide, one out of every three individuals requires assistive products to enjoy and exercise their human rights. In certain nations, only 3% have access to the assistive products they need. Digital technology, and specifically digital health interventions, stands as a powerful solution to improve access and maximize the benefits for users, their families, service providers, and society. Digital health interventions can enable user engagement, support service planning and monitoring, streamline procurement and stock management, boost service efficiency and coverage, and provide avenues for workforce competency development...

The main objective of this protocol is to understand the effectiveness of the use of a mobile application ( OcupApp ) to generate a personal self-analysis about meaningful activities in a population of adults aged between 50 and 70 years with low or moderate depression/anxiety. A randomised study will be carried out comparing the effects of the use of the OcupApp application with a control intervention on health-related quality of life, mental health, frequency of participation on meaningful activities, and perceived occupational balance...

PURPOSE: Individuals with reduced vision may rely on handheld magnifiers for near reading of texts on household items such as food packaging and far reading of information notices and signposts. Smartphones have become favoured magnification devices due to their pervasiveness. Users typically take a photo of the text, view the image with magnification and explore details by panning in two-dimensions. However, two-dimensional panning is cumbersome, confusing and slow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To improve the magnification experience, we implemented a proof-of-concept magnifier that reflows text to fit the device's viewport width...

Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) offer promise to the play of children with significant physical impairments, as BCI technology can enable disabled children to control computer devices, toys, and robots using only their brain signals. However, there is little research on the unique needs of disabled children when it comes to BCI-enabled play. Thus, this paper explored the lived experiences of play for children with significant physical impairments and examined how BCI could potentially be implemented into disabled children's play experiences by applying a social model of childhood disability...

Purpose: This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that examines the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a home-based, remotely supported and supervised exercise training program that was developed using a three-step community engaged research process for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are wheelchair users. Materials and Methods: The study design is a parallel group RCT (NCT05888727). We aim to enroll 24 wheelchair users with MS who will be randomly assigned using REDCap randomization module into exercise training or attention/contact wellness control conditions...

Purpose: To understand the assistive product (AP) related needs, unmet needs, demands and barriers of older adults (OA) this study addresses older adults in Tompkins County, NY. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional descriptive research study used the World Health Organization's rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA). A convenience sample of adults 65 or older in Tompkins County, NY. were surveyed to understand their need for AP, access to it and satisfaction with it. Results: The mean age of the 102 respondents was 73 (SD=6...

Purpose: To identify correlations between demographic, health-related, environmental factors and the employment status of power wheelchair (PWC) users. Method: We retrospectively analysed semi-structured interviews with 128 participants, their assistants or family members, and the participant's provided medical records. Participants were adult PWC users who applied for grants in purchasing a new PWC for gaining or keeping employment between 2019-2021 in Mazovian Province, Poland. Results: Forty-six PWC users (35...

PURPOSE: Despite the high unmet need for effective AT provision, multiple service delivery models across different countries, and a shortage of personnel trained in this field, no widely useable and accepted Assistive Technology (AT) service provision guidelines currently exist. This review aims to provide an overview of the literature regarding AT service provision guidelines to inform the development of globally useable AT provision guidance, aligned with contemporary global initiatives to improve access to AT...

PURPOSE: Visually impaired people (VIP) find it challenging to understand and gain awareness of their surroundings. Most activities require the use of the auditory or tactile senses. As such, assistive systems which are capable of aiding visually impaired people to understand, navigate and form a mental representation of their environment are extensively being studied and developed. The aim of this paper is to provide insight regarding the characteristics, as well as the advantages and drawbacks of different types of sonification strategies in assistive systems, to assess their suitability for certain use-cases...

Aim: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many community organizations offering services to people with disabilities (PWD) changed their service delivery, switching from in-person to remote services. However, little is known about what it was like for organizations to quickly pivot their service delivery. The study explored barriers and facilitators to access community services for PWD and identified potential improvements to these services. Methods: The study used a mixed method, multiple case study design, which included a convenience sample of 27 participants recruited from four community organizations delivering services to PWD...

PURPOSE: Assistive technology for elderly are advancing, and this study aimed to analyse the Indian perspective on utilising assistive robot technology for aiding elderly individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population-based survey was undertaken to collect data from three perspectives: Relatives of the elderly, Healthcare professionals and Elderly individuals. The survey gathered 389 responses. The responses are statistically analysed, and data is visualised with different plots for better understanding...

The IndieTrainer system, consisting of a mobility device and video-based gamified training modules, was developed to assist children in attaining power wheelchair (PWC) skills. The purposes of this small-scale trial were to explore the use of the IndieTrainer system to provide PWC skills training and document parental satisfaction with the IndieTrainer system. We hypothesized that PWC skills training provided using the IndieTrainer system would result in improvements in both children's understanding of how to use a PWC and their PWC skill execution, and that parental satisfaction would be high...

People with acquired brain injuries (ABI) face financial challenges that affect their daily lives. Managing finances is a crucial activity that can help avoid social isolation. However, this task becomes difficult for people with ABI because of their cognitive impairments. Recent advances in digital technology can help people with ABI manage their finances more effectively. This study aims to identify and describe available digital tools that can help ABI in budget management, and identify their effectiveness, barriers and facilitators to implementation...

Skills on Wheels, a 5-week pediatric wheelchair skills training program implemented over 2 years, was developed to address confidence, social participation, and mobility for wheelchair-using children. This study tests the hypothesis that pediatric wheelchair skills training will increase wheelchair skill ability, confidence, and participation of wheelchair-using children. Individualized instruction was delivered by occupational ( N  = 50) and physical ( N  = 12) therapy practitioners and doctoral students...

Although assistive technology (AT) is recognized as a basic human right, access to AT, and particularly electronic aids to daily living (EADL), is limited. We aimed to understand how persons with high level spinal cord injury (SCI) prioritize EADL needs and assess satisfaction and efficacy of self-identified EADL. Thus, in this case series, we recruited three participants with C4, C5 or C6 SCI receiving in-patient SCI rehabilitation. Each received dedicated occupational therapy-based assistance in identifying EADL items within an unrestricted envelope of support ($5000 CDN) for use in maximizing physical independence and supporting their return to community-based living...

Assistive technology (AT) represents one way to improve access and participation in the school and home environments of people with disabilities (PWDs). This study analyzed the obstacles to AT acquisition, knowledge, use, recommendation, and training in special needs centers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the perspective of professionals (teachers and therapists). A questionnaire was developed and its validity and reliability were confirmed. The questionnaire was distributed to all special-needs centers in the UAE via Survey Monkey, and 78 responses were received...