{"title":"Electrocardiogram and respiration recordings show a reduction in the physical burden on professional caregivers when performing care tasks with a transfer support robot.","authors":"Kenji Kato, Yasunari Hashimoto, Keita Aimoto, Masaki Kamiya, Koki Kawamura, Tatsuya Yoshimi, Izumi Kondo","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2024.2409289","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10400435.2024.2409289","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this study, we assessed the physical burden on professional caregivers when using a transfer support robot, \"Hug,\" to transfer and move a care recipient. We compared heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and the time-series synchronization between HRV and respiration in caregivers using the robot or a normal wheelchair as control. Under both conditions, a commercial wearable device was used to simultaneously obtain electrocardiogram and respiration signals while performing care tasks, which comprised transfer from a bed to a wheelchair or to the robot, movement to a remote location, and transfer to a chair. We found that HR was significantly higher and HRV and wavelet coherence were significantly lower in the control than with Hug during at least the first 30 seconds of rest after the task (<i>p</i> < 0.05). This suggests that Hug could reduce the increase in HR and thereby maintain a more constant rhythm between HRV and respiration during care tasks. A post-task questionnaire also revealed that caregivers felt the physical burden of the tasks was reduced using Hug. Our results suggest that the introduction of transfer support robots can reduce the physical burden for caregivers of daily transfer assistance tasks.</p>","PeriodicalId":51568,"journal":{"name":"Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"185-193"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142480430","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":"Using constructs from the Diffusion of Innovation theory and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to evaluate and implement rehabilitation technology in neurologic rehabilitation: A commentary.","authors":"Sierra Bonner, Keara McNair","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2025.2498657","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2025.2498657","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There are no existing guidelines for healthcare teams to evaluate rehabilitation technology and maximize its use in neurologic rehabilitation. By incorporating rehabilitation technologies into neurorehabilitation, therapists can bridge the gap between research and feasible client-centered interventions. Technology use can facilitate evidence-based practice that reflects recent trends in neurorehabilitation. Integration of rehabilitation technology is heavily dependent on the consideration of the barriers to technological adoption at both the organizational level and clinical level. The purpose of this commentary is to describe a theory-driven, systematic process with consideration of facilitators and barriers to technological uptake in neurorehabilitation. This process considers the views of multiple stakeholders to evaluate technology in rehabilitation and make cost-effective decisions, maximize available interventions, prevent technological abandonment, and integrate evidenced-based interventions for neurorehabilitation best practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":51568,"journal":{"name":"Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144017554","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":"Can foundation models reliably identify spatial hazards? A case study on curb segmentation.","authors":"Diwei Sheng, Giles Hamilton-Fletcher, Mahya Beheshti, Chen Feng, John-Ross Rizzo","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2025.2490632","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2025.2490632","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Curbs serve as vital borders that delineate safe pedestrian zones from potential vehicular traffic hazards. Curbs also represent a primary spatial hazard during dynamic navigation with significant stumbling potential. Such vulnerabilities are particularly exacerbated for persons with blindness and low vision (PBLV). Accurate visual-based discrimination of curbs is paramount for assistive technologies that aid PBLV with safe navigation in urban environments. Herein, we investigate the efficacy of curb segmentation for foundation models. We introduce the largest curb segmentation dataset to date to benchmark leading foundation models. Our results show that state-of-the-art foundation models face significant challenges in curb segmentation. This is due to their low precision and recall with poor performance distinguishing curbs from curb-like objects or non-curb areas, such as sidewalks. In addition, the best-performing model averaged a 3.70-s inference time, underscoring problems in providing real-time assistance. In response, we propose solutions including filtered bounding box selections to achieve more accurate curb segmentation. Overall, despite the immediate flexibility of foundation models, their application for practical assistive technology applications still requires refinement. This research highlights the critical need for specialized datasets and tailored model training to address navigation challenges for PBLV and underscores implicit weaknesses in foundation models.</p>","PeriodicalId":51568,"journal":{"name":"Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144025173","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}
Richelle Louise Gray, Catherine Cooper Hay, Jennifer Marie Yates, Joanna Russell Bliss
{"title":"Power mobility driving assessments used in research with adults in residential care: A scoping review.","authors":"Richelle Louise Gray, Catherine Cooper Hay, Jennifer Marie Yates, Joanna Russell Bliss","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2025.2487701","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2025.2487701","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Powered mobility devices (PMD) are an alternative form of functional mobility commonly used in residential care settings. Several PMD assessments exist and are used to assess an individual's safety and independence with functional mobility using a PMD. However, little is known regarding what PMD assessments are most commonly used in residential care. This scoping review aimed to investigate power mobility driving assessments utilized most in residential care settings for adult PMD users. Fourteen articles met the criteria for analysis, which included nine different assessments that assess PMD use in residential care. Of the articles included in the analysis of PMD assessments in residential care settings, the most consistently used assessment was the Power-mobility Indoor Driving Assessment (PIDA; <i>n</i> = 9, 64.28%). Only two other assessments were used in more than one research study: The Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q; <i>n</i> = 4, 28.57%), and the Nursing Home Life-Space Diameter (NHLSD; <i>n</i> = 2, 14.29%). Overall, the scoping review concludes that the PIDA is the most common PMD assessment used in research in residential care settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":51568,"journal":{"name":"Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144060343","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}
Beatriz Bicalho Saraiva, Ana Carolina Ezequiel Facchin, Rafaela Ramos Anacleto da Silva, Rodrigo de Oliveira Dias, Iuri Carlos Scatambuli Brighenti, Fabrício Araújo Filgueiras, Heitor Marques Lima, Flávia de Souza Bastos, Paula Silva de Carvalho Chagas
{"title":"The use of adapted motorized vehicles with controlled acceleration: Focus on child's acceptance.","authors":"Beatriz Bicalho Saraiva, Ana Carolina Ezequiel Facchin, Rafaela Ramos Anacleto da Silva, Rodrigo de Oliveira Dias, Iuri Carlos Scatambuli Brighenti, Fabrício Araújo Filgueiras, Heitor Marques Lima, Flávia de Souza Bastos, Paula Silva de Carvalho Chagas","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2025.2487712","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2025.2487712","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mobility is essential for the development of children with disabilities. The Adapt Project uses motorized adapted cars to promote independent movement and positively impact child development. To evaluate whether the perception of acceleration influences children's initial adaptation to the device. This case study involved an initial intervention and a three-month follow-up after delivering the adapted car. First, the child was evaluated using the car without and with acceleration control, assessed with the FLACC and ALP scales. Second, follow-up sessions were conducted with active maternal participation. Third, qualitative interviews were conducted, and the QUEST 2.0 scale was applied to assess satisfaction. Rapid acceleration movements increased pain perception, while slow movements minimized discomfort. The child progressed from level 1 to levels 3 and 4 on the ALP scale, and the QUEST 2.0 scale demonstrated high satisfaction (4.91), highlighting safety, comfort, and technical support, after 3 months of usage. Adaptations to the device and family engagement were essential for device acceptance and motor-cognitive development. Acceleration control improved comfort and safety, enabling greater autonomy and interaction, emphasizing the importance of user-centered approaches in assistive technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":51568,"journal":{"name":"Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144032523","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}
Assistive TechnologyPub Date : 2025-03-04Epub Date: 2024-10-14DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2024.2400463
Nicole L Zaino, Kimberly A Ingraham, Mia E Hoffman, Heather A Feldner, Katherine M Steele
{"title":"Quantifying toddler exploration in different postures with powered mobility.","authors":"Nicole L Zaino, Kimberly A Ingraham, Mia E Hoffman, Heather A Feldner, Katherine M Steele","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2024.2400463","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10400435.2024.2400463","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Access to powered mobility can support play and development for toddlers with disabilities. Using powered mobility in a standing posture has been theorized to support development of muscle coordination, balance, head and trunk stability, and transition to ambulation. The purpose of this study was to quantify and characterize joystick control, bodyweight support, and muscle activity while using the Permobil Explorer Mini in seated and supported standing postures. Nine children with mobility disabilities participated in four visits where they completed two, 15-20 minute play sessions, one in each posture, with a break between. We found that all toddlers engaged with the joystick in both postures, with individual differences in favored directions and control patterns. Participants had similar loading through their feet in both postures, but had slightly higher muscle activity in standing, especially while driving. These results demonstrate that young children with disabilities quickly engage with joystick-based powered mobility in seated and standing postures, with important individual differences that can inform future design of devices and interventions to support play and development.</p>","PeriodicalId":51568,"journal":{"name":"Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"93-101"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142480432","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}
Assistive TechnologyPub Date : 2025-03-04Epub Date: 2024-05-21DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2024.2348163
Caitlin M McKenney, Erin E McKenney
{"title":"Wheeled repair alliance: Rolling out wheelchair repair and maintenance in community bicycle shops.","authors":"Caitlin M McKenney, Erin E McKenney","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2024.2348163","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10400435.2024.2348163","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The increasing population of wheelchair users in the United States highlights the importance of access to reliable and affordable wheelchair maintenance and repair. Having a well-maintained mobility device is essential to living a safe, healthy, and social life as a wheelchair user. Unfortunately, access to these services is limited. This study aims to address this need by developing and evaluating a workshop program designed to teach basic wheelchair maintenance skills to bike shop employees, allied health professionals, and wheelchair users themselves. The workshops covered key wheelchair maintenance tasks. Pre and post workshop surveys assessed participants' confidence in basic maintenance and repair skills and overall satisfaction with the workshop. Workshop participants reported increased confidence in all maintenance skills following the workshops and bike shop employees expressed increased confidence in their ability to work with and provide resources for wheelchair users. This study highlights that community-based workshops may help to enhance confidence in wheelchair maintenance skills, potentially aiding in bridging the gap in affordable and accessible repair services. The Wheeled Repair Alliance has the potential to empower wheelchair users and improve their quality of life. Further research should consider increasing the precision of measurements and assessing long-term outcomes related to wheelchair maintenance and repair.</p>","PeriodicalId":51568,"journal":{"name":"Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"87-92"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141076957","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}
Assistive TechnologyPub Date : 2025-03-04Epub Date: 2024-10-24DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2024.2413649
Sally Taylor, Grace Hoo, David Brewington
{"title":"Program evaluation and healthcare process improvement focused on complex wheelchair procurement.","authors":"Sally Taylor, Grace Hoo, David Brewington","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2024.2413649","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10400435.2024.2413649","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The operations of a specialty wheelchair (WC) seating center can influence the evaluation to delivery timeframe in days for a complex rehab technology (CRT) WC. Operations at one facility improved due to departmental process improvement (PI) project with evaluation of the delivery workflow and implementation of changes. A retrospective chart audit gathered baseline data on the evaluation to delivery timeframe in days of a CRT WC for 50 individuals prior to PI changes. Standard departmental workflow collected 745 individuals' post-PI changes. The interventions took place from March 25, 2017, to April 5, 2018, and included defining and educating stakeholders on their roles and expectations, revisions of the electronic medical record, weekly and quarterly meetings with supplier leadership, paperwork completion goals, and follow-up paperwork centralization. Mean pre- and post-intervention evaluation to delivery timeframes in days was significantly different (162.2 versus 127.4 days, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Overall, a reduction in the mean evaluation to delivery timeframe in days of CRT WC by 21.5% or 34.8 days occurred. Systematic change takes time as well as the commitment of all key players. PI changes resulted in evaluation to delivery timeframe reduction for patients to receive their CRT WCs.</p>","PeriodicalId":51568,"journal":{"name":"Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"102-110"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142512710","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}
Assistive TechnologyPub Date : 2025-03-04Epub Date: 2024-11-07DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2024.2423606
Hsiang-Han Huang, Yung-Tze Lee, Chen-Ling Lai, Min-Ching Lin
{"title":"On-time power mobility and physical activity in toddlers with motor delays: A randomized controlled trial using body-worn sensors.","authors":"Hsiang-Han Huang, Yung-Tze Lee, Chen-Ling Lai, Min-Ching Lin","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2024.2423606","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10400435.2024.2423606","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study conducted a secondary analysis to objectively measure the effects of modified ride-on cars (MROCs) training in different postures on physical activity (PA) levels in children with motor delays. Data from 39 participants were analyzed in a randomized controlled trial. The participants included those using MROC in standing postures (<i>n</i> = 11, mean age = 22.87 months), MROC in sitting postures (<i>n</i> = 16, mean age = 19.53 months), and a control group that received conventional therapy (<i>n</i> = 12, mean age = 23.30 months). PA intensity was measured using an ActiGraph GT3X on the participants' wrists and right hip at weeks 1, 6, and 12 of the 12-week intervention period. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02527356). The demographic data were similar across the groups. No significant differences were found in the interaction, group, or time effects for any of the positions (<i>p</i> > 0.05). The PA levels were consistent in at least light PA intensity range. MROC training may yield PA levels comparable to those of conventional therapy. Variations in activity and motor impairment severity could affect outcomes. Future studies should investigate factors such as task characteristics, motor delay severity, PA cutoff points, and training dosage that may influence PA intensity.</p>","PeriodicalId":51568,"journal":{"name":"Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"111-119"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142606976","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}
Assistive TechnologyPub Date : 2025-03-04Epub Date: 2025-01-27DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2024.2448178
Anand Mhatre, Carmen DiGiovine, Alyssa Boccardi, Fangzheng Wu, Bryan Hess
{"title":"Ultralight wheelchair part failures are associated with sensor-monitored road shocks: A pilot study.","authors":"Anand Mhatre, Carmen DiGiovine, Alyssa Boccardi, Fangzheng Wu, Bryan Hess","doi":"10.1080/10400435.2024.2448178","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10400435.2024.2448178","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Wheelchair part failures and repairs have significantly increased over the last decade, leading to severe consequences for wheelchair users. Servicing these devices by wheelchair repair technicians has reduced part failures. However, no tools or technologies have been developed to support servicing in practice. To inform servicing events, risk factors affecting wheelchair quality and reliability need to be identified. This pilot study tracks wheelchair usage for a week in the community for eight ultralight manual wheelchair users and assesses the relationship between usage variables and user-reported part failures over 20 months. The participants' preferences for using smart technology for wheelchair servicing were evaluated. At least 73 wheelchair part failures and two adverse consequences were reported. Data analysis indicated associations between part failure frequency, usage variable of road shocks, wheelchair maintenance frequency, and the user's demographic characteristics of training status and transportation. Six participants favored using smart technology for wheelchair servicing. This study's findings encourage the development of usage monitoring technology and failure prediction models to support technician-led servicing and prevent wheelchair failures and user consequences.</p>","PeriodicalId":51568,"journal":{"name":"Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"135-144"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11864886/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143054254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}