Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology最新文献

{"title":"Uncovering the effects of pandemic conditions on hearing aid experiences: a dual perspective from audiologists and hearing aid users.","authors":"Vida Rahimi, Elham Tavanai, Seyyed Mohammad Reza Taghavi, Mohammad Ehsan Khalili","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2405557","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2024.2405557","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Purpose:</b> This study examines the effects of the pandemic on hearing aid experiences from the perspectives of audiologists and patients, as well as communication challenges faced by both users and non-users of hearing aids.</p><p><p><b>Materials and Methods:</b> The study consisted of two phases: a longitudinal study examining the services provided by audiologists during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and after the first vaccination dose. The second phase involved a survey of 120 elderly individuals with hearing loss, divided into hearing aid users and non-users for assessing communication challenges. Data was collected from comprehensive audiology clinics using a series of checklists.</p><p><p><b>Results:</b> Analysis of the frequency of services related to hearing aids revealed that during the peak period, the majority of visits were for acquiring batteries and hearing aids, while fewer visits were for fitting and fine-tuning the devices. After vaccination the pattern was changed. In the second phase, significant differences were observed between the hearing aid users and non-users with regards to their ability to comprehend speech while wearing mask, communicating at a safe distance, and following TV news.</p><p><p><b>Conclusions:</b> The distribution of requested services differed during the peak period and the post-vaccination period. There was a noticeable increase in the purchase and fitting of hearing aids after vaccination. However, patients encountered difficulties due to the limited availability of tele-audiology services and delayed services from hearing aid companies. The benefits of hearing aids were impacted by the pandemic as many people did not seek adjustments for their devices.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142394287","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":"Approaches to manufacturing affordable 3D printed modules to improve the durability of white canes for visually impaired people.","authors":"Burak Alanyalıoğlu","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2412083","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2024.2412083","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this study, 3D printing-based solutions are sought to improve the durability of guide canes of visually impaired individuals. The financial inaccessibility of technological white canes is a challenge that this study addresses by integrating additive manufacturing. The proposed solutions are designing a ball caster tip with a suspension mechanism, manufacturing a barrier detection and vibration alert system, and a 3D-printed flexible cover for the guide cane. Each solution is specially prototyped for this study using Computer-Aid Design (CAD). It aims to produce accessories that can upgrade any regular cane to a more durable and comfortable state by easily clipping them onto any cane. The solutions were assessed under three criteria, for which the visually impaired consultee of the research was assigned weights for further evaluation. The assessment has been conducted based on each solution's effectiveness, cost, and comfort. According to the evaluation of the visually impaired consultee, the ball caster with suspension mechanism yielded the highest score for the assessment criteria. Further recommendations have been made for each solution to decrease the volume occupancy and increase lifespan, durability, and comfort.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142394285","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":"Perceptions of using exoskeleton technology among physiotherapists and stroke survivors in Malaysia: a mixed methods study.","authors":"Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh, Deepashini Harithasan, Aiman Mat Najib, Muhammad Shafiq Ishak, Rizauddin Ramli","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2407918","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2024.2407918","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Exoskeleton technology has the potential to enhance the functional abilities of individuals with upper or lower limb dysfunction, including stroke survivors. However, its adoption in Malaysia has been limited due to its restricted availability in rehabilitation centres and hospitals. In this study, we aim to explore the perceptions and opinions of physiotherapists and stroke survivors regarding exoskeleton technology, focusing on identifying desired design features and investigating their views on its use in rehabilitation. An online survey was conducted to assess the preferred features of exoskeleton technology among physiotherapists and stroke survivors. Subsequently, one-to-one online in-depth interviews were carried out with physiotherapists who had experience using exoskeleton technology. Data were analysed using descriptive, thematic, and triangulation analysis methods. The analysis included 81 survey questionnaires from physiotherapists and 122 from stroke survivors. Both groups highlighted cost-effectiveness, safety, comfort, and ease of use as key features of exoskeletons. Additional insights from in-depth interviews with five physiotherapists emphasized the importance of a user-friendly interface, adjustability, and a lightweight design. Physiotherapists also expressed that exoskeleton technology could reduce their workload, minimize musculoskeletal-related disorders, and enhance their confidence. The main desired features identified by both physiotherapists and stroke survivors for exoskeleton technology include cost-effectiveness, safety, comfort, and ease of use. Physiotherapists further viewed it as a valuable tool to alleviate their workload and reduce musculoskeletal-related disorders while boosting confidence. These findings offer valuable guidance to developers, engineers, and manufacturers in the country, aiding in the development of client-centred exoskeleton features.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142366995","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":"Priorities when designing a service-focused delivery model for mobility devices: a systematic review.","authors":"L Diment, S Curtin, L Kenney, K J Reynolds, M H Granat","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2313077","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2313077","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Throughout the world, mobility devices are usually distributed using product-based business models, where a device is provided to a user, and serviced or replaced when the user returns to the clinic with an issue. Moving to a service-based business model can provide continuous and customised support for the user, and provide the clinicians and manufacturers with better data to base their decisions on. This study reviews papers on assistive technology service-based business models and considerations in designing such a model to optimise economic and social value. It then applies the findings to the mobility device space.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A systematic literature search was undertaken in PubMed, Web of Science, and OVID databases to analyse studies that discuss service delivery models used to provide assistive products. Inductive thematic analysis determined the themes, facilitators and barriers associated with providing a service. Findings were applied to mobility device service provision.</p><p><strong>Results and conclusion: </strong>Themes from the 29 relevant papers were grouped into four categories: <b>Access</b> (affordability/availability/education), <b>Utility</b> (customisability/usability/adaptability), <b>Integrity</b> (quality/sustainability/impact), and <b>Compliance</b> (policy/privacy/security). The most common themes were customisability, affordability, availability, and education. There is a need for service-based delivery models to replace conventional product-based models, and many considerations to optimise their design. No publications discussed the design and implementation of a service-based model for mobility device provision that uses modern sensors, software and other digital technologies to optimise the service. Service-based models that use modern digital technologies are new for the mobility device field, but much can be learnt from other fields.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139724532","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":"Social connectedness and the role of virtual reality: experiences and perceptions of people living with dementia and their caregivers.","authors":"Aisling Flynn, Attracta Brennan, Marguerite Barry, Sam Redfern, Dympna Casey","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2310262","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2310262","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>People living with dementia are often at increased risk of becoming socially disconnected due to dementia-related challenges. In recent years, digital technology has been designed to help address the social health of people living with dementia and provide opportunities to promote or maintain their social connectedness. This paper presents the findings from phase two of a participatory action research project, which explored people living with dementia and their caregiver's experiences and perceptions of social connectedness and the potential role of Virtual Reality (VR) in promoting or maintaining same.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>People living with dementia (<i>n</i> = 8) and their informal caregivers (<i>n</i> = 8) participated in an individual, 1:1 online interview. Data analysis was guided by reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings presented four themes: social connectedness: lived experiences and insights, facilitating social connectedness, barriers to social connectedness and the potential of multi-user VR for social connectedness. People living with dementia experienced a range of personal, community and societal connectedness. Facilitators of social connectedness included supportive, non-judgemental, and reciprocal relationships, technology adoption, and personal and contextual facilitators. Dementia-related difficulties and periods of disruption or change were considered barriers to social connectedness. Multi-user VR was perceived as useful for promoting and maintaining social connectedness.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The perceived usefulness of multi-user VR for social connectedness indicates its potential for use with this population. Understanding the lived experiences, barriers, and facilitators of social connectedness will assist researchers and the human-computer interaction community to inform the design of future multi-user VR for social connectedness outcomes with people living with dementia and their caregivers.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139900641","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":"Long-term community integration study of an affordable manual standing wheelchair.","authors":"Samson Daniel Frederick, Javeed Shaikh-Mohammed, Gayatri Suresh, S Sujatha","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2313083","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2313083","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The manual, user-operated Arise Standing Wheelchair (SWC) is the end result of multiple design iterations based on findings and feedback from user trials. The Arise SWC provides standing functionality, outdoor mobility, affordability, and customisability. This paper describes a long-term community integration study of the Arise SWC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>All participants (<i>N</i> = 8; 7 Male, 1 Female) were persons with spinal cord injuries. During the study period (six months), the participants integrated the Arise SWC into their daily routines. To assess the impact of the Arise SWC on various outcome measures, participants' responses were captured using a Likert-scale questionnaire at the beginning of the study, after 30 days, and after 180 days of Arise SWC usage.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The long-term usage of the Arise SWC positively impacted the users' standing performance (ability to stand regularly, stand at different locations, and stand in community settings), productive ability (accessibility to environmental controls and ability to perform overhead reaches), and pathophysiology (spasticity and ability to get proper sleep). Furthermore, all the users were able to independently move using the Arise SWC over even and uneven terrain (some needed minimal assistance over uneven terrain).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Overall, we believe that Arise SWC will benefit eligible users and improve their ability and performance in daily activities.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139724530","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 study on the four-phase design and development process of 3D printed foot-operated safety nail clipper for people with stroke hemiplegia.","authors":"Pyeong Ho Lee, Myung-Joon Lim, Seon Deok Eun","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2312191","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2312191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Cutting nails is an essential activity of daily living. In this study, a foot-operated safety nail clipper for people with stroke hemiplegia was developed in four phases using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A user was identified to develop a foot-operated, safe nail clipper for people with stroke hemiplegia (Phase 1). A single user repeatedly used the technology to determine necessary improvements (Phase 2). Then, the usability was evaluated by four people with disabilities (Phase 3) before the clipper was manufactured at multiple institutions to determine its reproducibility (Phase 4).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The foot-operated safe nail clipper was upgraded during each phase. The Version 2.0 comprises twenty 3D printing materials and five readily-available materials.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A foot-operated safety nail clipper was developed for people with stroke hemiplegia. The number of parts increased as the device was upgraded <i>via</i> the use of 3D printing and available materials. Based on a small-scale usability test, the device was best suited for people with stroke hemiplegia. The assistive device was shared with the assistive technology open platform as an open source. The four-phased process can be used to develop appropriate assistive technology devices through the Makers Movement in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139906650","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 lived experiences of play and the perspectives of disabled children and their parents surrounding brain-computer interfaces.","authors":"Carina Siu, Manar Aoude, John Andersen, Kim D Adams","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2333884","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2333884","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>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. Descriptive qualitative methodology was employed by conducting four semi-structured interviews with two children with significant physical impairments and their parents. We found that disabled children's play can be interpreted as passive or active depending on one's definition and perceptions surrounding play. Moreover, disabled children continue to face physical, economic, and technological barriers in their play, as well as play restrictions from physical impairments. We urge that future research should strive to directly hear from disabled children themselves, as their perspectives may differ from their parents' views. Also, future BCI development should strive to incorporate video games, recreational and entertainment applications/platforms, toys and switch-adapted toys, and power wheelchairs to better support the play of children with significant physical impairments.Implications for RehabilitationAssistive technology research should strive to examine the social, infrastructural, and environmental barriers that continue to disable and restrict participation for disabled children and their families through applying a social model of childhood disability and other holistic frameworks that look beyond individual factorsFuture research that examines the needs and lives of disabled children should strive to directly seek the opinions and perspectives of disabled children themselvesBrain-computer interface development should strive to incorporate video games, recreational and entertainment applications/platforms, toys and switch-adapted toys, and power wheelchairs to better support the play of children with significant physical impairments.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140294962","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":"Feeling valued: the interplay of assistive technology and identity.","authors":"Aoife McNicholl, Deirdre Desmond, Pamela Gallagher","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2294987","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2294987","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aim of this study was to explore the impact of AT in identity for students with disabilities in higher education and if/how this changes over time.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using a longitudinal qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with students with disabilities (<i>n</i> = 13) in higher education in Ireland on two occasions during an academic year. A trajectory approach to longitudinal analysis was employed. This involved the use of matrices and identification of a through line for the study, which connects participant change over time.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The through line identified was feeling valued, which was central in the negotiation of identity over time across three themes: feelings of autonomy and competence; claiming disability; and feeling like you belong as a student. AT impacted experiences across the three themes which subsequently promoted or undermined students' sense of value. Reciprocally, feeling valued influenced use and perceptions of AT. Factors specific to a higher education context were also identified which influenced meanings attached to AT over time.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Creating an environment where students feel valued is key in promoting use of and positive perceptions of AT. This should form an integral part of AT and disability policy in higher education.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138811417","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":"Understanding individuals with spinal cord injury's self-care practices: a technology probe study to promote pressure relief adherence.","authors":"Hannah Hye Yeon Oh, Sheila Pontis","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2293876","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2293876","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pressure reliefs (PRs) are self-care practices essential for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to prevent life-threatening pressure injuries (PIs). Despite the benefits, individuals often do not do these exercises at home, leading to increased patient morbidity and mortality. To examine how digital technology could improve this population's adherence to PR exercises, we conducted a technology probe study with five individuals with SCI over ten consecutive business days. A chat-based intervention was created to send user-scheduled PR reminders, which were personalized with visual elements and progress trackers. Participants were interviewed before and after interacting with the probe to better understand their experiences with PIs and PR practices. Results shed light on specific factors that may impact individuals with SCI's behaviours towards PRs and four considerations to design a customisable reminder intervention: (1) easy to use and friendly technology, (2) design-your-own- schedule feature, (3) communication style feature, and (4) dialogue support features. Personalisation supported with gamified visual progress tracking and motivational messages emerged as a strong strategy to increase PR adherence. Both sets of findings expand upon the human-computer interaction (HCI) literature for mobile health tools that encourage self-care practices; in particular, to the specific needs of individuals with SCI and the use of visual elements to increase engagement.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138832320","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}