Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology最新文献

{"title":"Characteristics and psychosocial impact of assistive technology use among adults with tetraplegia.","authors":"Angela Hanks Philippus, Michael Tschida, Jillian Arkoff, Benjamin Langworthy, Martin Kilbane, Kimberley R Monden","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2025.2506138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2506138","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Assistive technology (AT) is essential for facilitating independence, vocational engagement, and participation among individuals with spinal cord injury/disorder (SCI/D). However, there is limited evidence regarding the characteristics of AT users and the impact of AT use on psychosocial outcomes after tetraplegia.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Determine the demographic/injury characteristics of AT users and the association between AT use and psychosocial outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this prospective, observational study, we enrolled 300 adults with tetraplegia. Surveys collected demographic/injury information, AT utilization, and psychosocial outcomes: self-efficacy (MSES), quality of life (SWLS), perceived manageability (PMNaC), participation (PART-O), fine motor functional ability (SCI-FI/AT), psychosocial impact of AT use (PIADS), and number of AT devices used. Multivariable regressions estimated the relationship between AT use and psychosocial outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants were mostly men (68%), with incomplete injuries (54%), and AT users (62%). Average age was 48 years, with an average of 20 years post-SCI/D. AT users tended to be younger (<i>M</i> = 46.7 vs. <i>M</i> = 50.3 non-users), women (69% vs. 57% men), had higher education (71% ≥ master's degree vs. 41% ≤ high school diploma), vocationally engaged (72% vs. 54% vocationally unengaged), and had complete injuries (77% vs. 50% incomplete). AT use was significantly associated with lower SCI-FI/AT scores (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The number of AT devices used was significantly related to higher PIADS Adaptability scores (<i>p</i> = 0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We identified demographic and injury-related characteristics of AT users with tetraplegia. AT use was associated with greater fine motor functional ability but no other psychosocial outcomes, while using multiple devices was associated with greater adaptability.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144081338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring electromyography for assistive technology: feasibility, usability and performance of a dry sensor EMG switch.","authors":"Simon Judge","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2025.2501746","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2501746","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Switch access is a tool used by many individuals with physical disabilities. Switches used in assistive technology are typically electro-mechanical. Electromyography (EMG) has previously been suggested for assistive technology switch access but has been little explored.</p><p><p><b>Materials and Methods:</b> An exploratory study aiming to investigate the feasibility, usability and performance of a dry sensor EMG switch when used by individuals with physical disabilities to control assistive technology was conducted.</p><p><p><b>Results:</b> Twelve participants with a range of underlying conditions trialled a novel dry sensor EMG switch. Switch reaction performance data for both EMG and conventional switches and qualitative feedback from semi-structured interviews were collected and tabulated. Results showed that the EMG switch was feasible to use in a range of placements and with a range of individuals, that it was feasible in some situations where a conventional switch was not, and that it may be more appropriate for those with hypokinetic movement disorders. Some participants described use of the EMG switch as less effortful and fatiguing. Some participants had faster reaction times using the EMG switch compared to conventional switches, the fastest average reaction time reported in the study (483 ms) was using the EMG switch. More false positive activations occurred when using the EMG switch and participants described this as impacting on usability. Setup complexity was also noted as a key usability barrier.</p><p><p><b>Conclusions:</b> This study highlights potential benefits of EMG switches but suggests further development is needed to improve ease of use and minimise false activations if EMG switches are to achieve broader adoption.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144081339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A potential thorn in equity's side: dependence on generative AI may spur a new crisis of intellectualism.","authors":"Jaime A Teixeira da Silva","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2025.2505642","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2505642","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-2"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144024843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing cybersickness in a Virtual Reality intervention among older adults living in nursing homes: a feasibility study.","authors":"Yijun Li, Irina Shiyanov, Beate Muschalla","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2025.2503909","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2503909","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objects: </strong>Virtual Reality (VR) is a potential tool in geriatric rehabilitation and ageing care: VR activities may enhance activity level well-being of older adults in nursing homes. Given the specific vulnerability of older adults, it is crucial to assess potential side effects such as cybersickness, which includes symptoms like dizziness and nausea. Various VR design factors, e.g., session duration, may influence the cybersickness experience. This study aims to investigate the cybersickness prevalence among older adults in nursing homes who participate in a VR activity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 27 older adults from five nursing homes participated in this feasible study. A four weeks VR intervention was conducted, with one VR session per week. After the VR intervention, participants were asked to rate the standardized VR sickness questionnaire (VRSQ) immediately. There was 11% (<i>N</i> = 3) dropping out from the VR intervention due to cybersickness. Over all participants, cybersickness level remained at a low level (VRSQ-Score, Mean = 2.23, SD = 6.25). There was no significant difference in cybersickness prevalence among the four VR sessions featuring different tasks.</p><p><strong>Impacts: </strong>These findings suggest that specifically designed VR activities yielded moderate cybersickness effects. Older adults should be monitored by nurses during VR sessions, in order to help them exit the VR session in case cybersickness occurs. The findings offer valuable insights on VR interventions under natural conditions, ensuring high external validity. Future randomized controlled trials should explore a larger spectrum of possible side effects of VR interventions in comparison to non-VR interventions in nursing homes.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144056550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Are manual wheelchair rear wheel rolling resistance and friction (in)-dependent of load, tire pressure, and camber angle? An evaluation across different surfaces.","authors":"Mathieu Deves, Yoann Poulet, Arnaud Hays, Arnaud Faupin, Christophe Sauret","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2025.2501745","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2501745","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Rolling resistance of manual wheelchair (MWC) has been widely studied, and while many studies have focused on the effects of rear-wheel configurations and surface types, few studies have comprehensively explored a broad range of surfaces and their interactions with wheel configurations. Additionally, rear wheel grip (i.e., friction) remains underexplored.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>To assess the specific impact of rear-wheel configurations on both rolling resistance and grip, a deceleration cart with four identical wheels was developed. The rolling resistance and static friction of three tire types were tested across two loads, four camber angles, three inflation pressures, and seven surface types, including sports and everyday surfaces. Measurements were obtained using wireless inertial measurement units during deceleration tests and using a handheld dynamometer during grip tests, following an experimental design approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Statistical analysis identified surface type as the most influential factor on rolling resistance and static friction, with tire pressure and camber angle also having significant surface-dependent effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The use of the deceleration cart enabled precise determination of the specific rolling resistance properties and static friction coefficients of MWC wheels, facilitating the creation of a dataset that characterizes the rolling resistance and grip properties of wheels on various surfaces.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144053359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The first hearing aid: are there differences in the expectations of patients treated in the public and private healthcare systems?","authors":"Maria Gabriela Lima Agustinho, Tatiane Franciele de Almeida, Vanessa Luisa Destro Fidêncio","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2025.2503907","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2503907","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>One of the treatments for hearing loss (HL) is the use of a Hearing Aid (HA). Evaluating expectations regarding the use of HA provides a broader perspective on HL and allows for the planning and implementation of effective rehabilitation strategies.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess and compare the expectations of adults and older adults treated in public and private healthcare services regarding the use of HA.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This study included 50 patients with HL, with 25 attended in a public health service, and 25 attended in a private service. Participants answered the <i>Expected Consequences of Hearing Aid Ownership</i> (ECHO).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Candidates for HA use exhibited higher expectations regarding Positive Effect, that is, the benefits the device can provide in daily life. In the public service, older patients had higher expectations regarding personal image. In the private healthcare service, a significant positive correlation was observed between the Personal Image subscale and the individual's level of education.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It can be concluded that expectations regarding hearing aid use were associated with healthcare service type, age, and education level.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144034597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Techno-organisational network and reliable implementation of GPS technology for people with dementia and their caregivers in the community.","authors":"Emmanuel S Nwofe, David Bishop, Clementina Rooke, Kalyan Seelam, John Porter, Karen Windle, Michael Doyle","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2025.2501079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2501079","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fourteen individual dyads (a person with dementia and nominated caregiver) out of 45 who received GPS trackers and were followed for six months as part of a GPS feasibility trial attended focus group interviews. The focus group was guided by semi-structured questions based on three primary outcomes: reduced burden of care (care factors), quality of life of the wearer (wearer factors), and practicalities of the device (device factors). Data was coded inductively using NVivo Pro version 12.6.1, and analysis was guided by qualitative content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings suggest that family caregivers experienced reduced stress and anxiety when using GPS technology since they could pinpoint the exact location of the person with dementia at any given time. The effectiveness or otherwise of socio-material actors (e.g., individuals with dementia, GPS device features, mobile networks, neighbours') informed caregivers' overall experience and determined how much longer the technology was used. These factors were crucial in the social inclusion of individuals with dementia in public spaces and in deciding whether GPS technology could delay early admission into 24-hour care.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings highlight important practical implications. Implementation of GPS technology in community family care settings relies on the effective delegation of roles among various human (carers, wearers, neighbours) and non-human (devices, mobile networks, GPS systems) actors.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143992215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A mixed methods realist analysis of telehealth delivery of complex wheelchair assessment in Aotearoa New Zealand: contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes.","authors":"Fiona Graham, Laura Desha, Pauline Boland, Bernadette Jones, Sandie Grant, Rachel Brown, Jonathan Williman, Rebecca Grainger","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2025.2492361","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2492361","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study examined telehealth delivery of complex wheelchair assessment in Aotearoa New Zealand, specifically: what works, for whom, and in which contexts, with exploration of culturally specific factors for indigenous Māori.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A mixed methods realist evaluation was conducted with remote specialist assessors (physiotherapists and occupational therapists), on-site assistants, and wheelchair users. Interviews/focus groups, mobility goal achievement, satisfaction, and fidelity of tele-delivered assessment of wheelchair and seating (tAWS) contributed to Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations (CMOc).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four remote specialist assessors delivered tAWS, but it was declined by on-site assistants in 78% of cases in which specialist assessors perceived it could work. When tAWS was delivered to wheelchair users (<i>N</i> = 5), the majority of goals were achieved, with high service satisfaction. CMOc's highlight the influence of system design in the uptake of telehealth by health professionals.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While therapists can navigate complexity for successful tAWS, therapist and system barriers limit its uptake, particularly confidence in conducting assessment and use of technology among the non-adopters. Telehealth specific training in culturally-responsive rehabilitation is recommended. This evaluation contributes to telehealth program theory and the mechanisms to be addressed for telehealth to meet its potential to enhance equity in health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144035102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is handcycling performance affected by hand function impairment? A cross-sectional study on paracycling classification.","authors":"Rafael E A Muchaxo, Carla F J Nooijen, Lucas H V van der Woude, Thomas W J Janssen, Sonja de Groot","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2025.2492369","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2492369","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Athletes with hand function impairment are eligible to compete in handcycling using assistive technology designed to compensate for their reduced grip strength. However, there is no evidence suggesting that these athletes perform similarly to their peers without such impairments. This study examined the impact of three simulated hand function impairments on handcycling performance in non-disabled novices.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Fourteen non-disabled individuals voluntarily participated in four measurement sessions using a standard handbike. Different hand function levels were simulated in the four sessions (no impairment and three simulated conditions: asymmetry, finger, and wrist impairments) using strapping and gloves to enable cyclic motion. Each session included two 4-minute submaximal handcycling tests (at 30 W and 45 W) and one 20-second isokinetic sprint. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze differences among the hand function conditions in oxygen uptake (VO₂sub) during submaximal tests and peak and mean power output (PO (W)) during the sprints.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No significant differences in VO₂sub were observed across the four conditions. During the sprint, participants achieved higher peak PO without impairments compared to the simulated impairments, with values 14-17% higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01). However, no significant differences were found in mean PO, which was 5-9% higher without impairments but did not reach statistical significance (<i>p</i> ≥ 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results suggest that individuals without hand function impairments may have an advantage over their peers with impairments during maximal efforts but not during submaximal efforts. However, these findings need to be validated in handcycling athletes.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144024811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Power wheelchair driving analysis for people with motor disabilities using ANN classification.","authors":"Hicham Zatla, Bilal Tolbi, Fares Bouriachi","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2025.2499189","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2499189","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present paper aims primarily to analyze the driving skills of patients with different pathologies using artificial neural networks. The evaluation of these patients' abilities to drive an electric wheelchair or power wheelchair shows that this battery-operated device can be dangerous for them when they present severe motor deficiencies. It is for this reason that it was deemed necessary to use a Power Wheelchair (PW) driving simulator in order to analyze, in an objective manner, their driving abilities. Consequently, an experimental study was carried out using the driving simulator at the Center for the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Children (Centre de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation pour Enfants) in Flavigny-sur-Moselle in France. The error between the reference trajectories and the patient's calculated trajectories which was used as input for classification allowed obtaining the model for analyzing the driver's skills. This model was then used for identifying the familiarized and novice users. The evolution of the above-mentioned error turned out to be an important indicator for improving the quality of the patient's driving skills during the learning phase.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144054432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}