Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences最新文献

{"title":"Market shaping for AT: scoping review and case study of an intervention.","authors":"Ellie Cole, Victoria Austin","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1918680","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1918680","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Assistive technology (AT) holds the potential to transform lives. With need projected to reach 3.5 billion by 2050 while access remains at only 10%, even basic AT is out-of-reach for most. Expanding access to AT is a complex systems challenge: AT markets are often small, underdeveloped and fragmented, particularly in low-income settings. Addressing market failures is essential to expand access, and market shaping has been introduced as a core tool since 2018.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This paper presents a scoping review and a case study examining how market shaping for AT has progressed. The case study explores how UNICEF, one of the world's largest procurement actors, has conceptualised and implemented it. Fifteen publications were included in the scoping review and four themes emerged: systems-thinking; unintegrated innovation; governance and financing; and data gaps. The UNICEF case study draws on eight interviews, complemented by early procurement data provided by UNICEF on selected countries.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A recurring contestation was the need to move beyond siloed thinking to a coordinated and coherent systems perspective, recognising the multidimensional, interdependent factors influencing AT markets. To achieve this, several publications introduce \"missions-thinking\" as a complementary perspective. Evidence indicates that UNICEF's market shaping has had transformative impact to-date. Early data shows an average price reduction of 84% for hearing aids, and 34% for wheelchairs (the latter reduced by one county's outlier score of 5%).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Sector challenges persist, including funding and logistics, yet evidence suggests that oversight and leadership by a body such as UNICEF can support transparency to move towards fair and healthy AT. The paper concludes that market shaping for AT holds significant promise, but achieving its greatest impact requires coherent and bold stewardship, with market shaping as one tool within an \"AT mission\". This has begun, and UNICEF's new strategic commitment to AT access shows promise for the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1918680"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13587034/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149009446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transfer effects of animal-assisted therapy on socioemotional skills in adult inpatient rehabilitation after acquired brain injury: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Elena Pauli, Sophie Dubach, Carmina Haase, Anna Haefeli, Margret Hund-Georgiadis, Jan Hattendorf, Karin Hediger","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1818862","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1818862","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>People with acquired brain injury (ABI) often experience difficulties in social and emotional functioning, potentially affecting recovery and quality of life. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is increasingly used in rehabilitation to support socioemotional functioning.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This randomized controlled trial investigated whether the effects of AAT extend beyond therapy sessions in patients with ABI undergoing inpatient neurorehabilitation. We hypothesized that patients receiving AAT would demonstrate greater improvements in socioemotional skills compared to those receiving standard care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Over 6 weeks, participants received two weekly sessions of occupational, speech, or physiotherapy with or without animals. The primary outcomes were social behavior and positive and negative emotions assessed via behavioral analyses in a standardized social situation. The secondary outcomes included depression, social cognition, therapy motivation, quality of life, and therapy adherence. The outcomes were evaluated at baseline, post-intervention, and 6- and 12-week follow-ups. Due to substantial attrition, the preregistered primary endpoint at 12-week follow-up could not be analyzed as planned. Therefore, analyses focused on post-assessment outcomes and were exploratory. Linear regression models were used to estimate mean differences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seventy patients with ABI (<i>M</i> = 51.04 years, <i>SD</i> = 13.39; 27.14% female) were randomly assigned to the AAT intervention group (<i>n</i> = 43) and the treatment-as-usual (TAU) control group (<i>n</i> = 27). In exploratory analyses at post-assessment, the AAT group showed higher social behavior than the TAU group (<i>difference</i> = 3.24; 95% CI [0.87, 5.62]; <i>p</i> = .009). No significant group effects were found for the other outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Given the exploratory analyses following protocol deviation, these findings provide preliminary evidence that AAT may improve social behavior beyond therapy sessions in adult patients with ABI undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the durability and real-world relevance of this effect.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration: </strong>ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03687671.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1818862"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13584825/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148992695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Functional recovery and mortality after intensive inpatient rehabilitation for severe acquired brain injury in older adults: a retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Valeria Pingue, Chiara Pavese, Jasmine Invernizzi Descalzi, Loretta Fiorina, Vittorio Gabba, Gianluca Bellaviti, Antonio Nardone","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1901401","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1901401","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Severe acquired brain injury (sABI) is a major cause of mortality and long-term disability. Although its prevalence is increasing among older adults (≥65 years), evidence on independent determinant of rehabilitation outcomes in this population remains limited. This study aimed to identify early factors associated with poor functional outcomes and mortality in younger and older patients undergoing intensive inpatient rehabilitation following severe acquired brain injury (sABI).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, 215 patients (91 aged ≥65; 124 aged <65) admitted to a tertiary neurorehabilitation unit were enrolled. Demographic characteristics, sABI etiology, comorbidities, dysphagia, and multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) colonization at admission, as well as the occurrence of sepsis, hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), and in-hospital mortality, were evaluated. Multivariable linear regression models were used to identify factors independently associated with poorer outcomes in terms of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) scores recorded at discharge from the unit.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among older patients, dysphagia (FIM <i>p</i> < 0.0001; GOS-E <i>p</i> = 0.022) and diabetes mellitus (FIM <i>p</i> = 0.006) were associated with poorer functional outcomes after sABI. In addition, MDRO colonization at admission (<i>p</i> = 0.016) and sepsis (<i>p</i> = 0.019) were associated with worse neurological status at discharge. In younger patients, dysphagia (FIM <i>p</i> < 0.0001; GOS-E <i>p</i> = 0.002) and MDRO colonization (FIM <i>p</i> = 0.007) were associated with poorer functional outcomes, whereas MDRO colonization at admission (<i>p</i> = 0.014) and HAP (<i>p</i> = 0.016) were associated with worse neurological status at discharge. Despite comparable functional outcomes at discharge, older patients had significantly longer LOS (<i>p</i> = 0.049) and higher in-hospital mortality (34 vs. 12, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). HAP was the factor most strongly associated with mortality in the overall cohort.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Dysphagia and pre-existing comorbidities, particularly diabetes mellitus, were associated with poorer rehabilitation outcomes in older patients with sABI. The association of MDRO colonization, HAP, and sepsis with poor outcomes across both age groups underscores the importance of early identification of high-risk patients and targeted preventive strategies to reduce modifiable complications, length of stay, and mortality during intensive rehabilitation after sABI.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1901401"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13582640/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148992904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Let us tell you how to train us! experiences of children and youth with the Wheelchair Skills Training Program and their preferences for training delivery: a descriptive qualitative study.","authors":"Béatrice Ouellet, Sofia So, Tatiana Dib, Paula W Rushton, Margaux Hebinck, Sarah A Moore, Kelly P Arbour-Nicitopoulos, R L Kirby, François Routhier, Krista L Best","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1924405","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1924405","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The Wheelchair Skills Training Program (WSTP) has demonstrated statistical and clinical effectiveness in improving manual wheelchair skills among pediatric manual wheelchair users (PMWUs). However, uptake of this program remains limited in pediatric rehabilitation settings, partly due to clinicians' uncertainties about its suitability for playful and developmentally appropriate training. Despite children's and youths' right to engage in discussions regarding their rehabilitation, PMWUs' lived experiences receiving the WSTP have not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to explore PMWUs' experiences with and preferences regarding the WSTP to inform the delivery of this program in pediatric rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with a maximum variation sample of PMWUs recruited from a randomized controlled trial evaluating the WSTP in pediatrics. Online or in-person semi-structured interviews, informed by the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist for rehabilitation intervention reporting, explored experiences with and preferences regarding WSTP delivery. Interview procedures were individualized using a toolkit of strategies to support expression and engagement. The framework method guided deductive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three overarching themes emerged from the 32 PMWUs': 1) <i>It</i>'s <i>true that not many kids know how to use their wheelchair properly, so I think training is really a good thing</i>, highlighted the perceived value of the WSTP for improving mobility, confidence, risk awareness, autonomy, and participation; 2) <i>The trainer lets you practice everything that you want</i>, reflected how trainers can facilitate mobility progress and engagement through collaborative goal-setting, the use of learning strategies, and the integration of skill practice into enjoyable and appropriately challenging activities; and 3) <i>It depends on the person. Every child, every person with a disability or mobility aid is different. We're not all the same</i>, emphasized the need to tailor training sessions to individual needs and preferences.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>PMWUs' positive experiences with the WSTP revealed that the program aligns with their training preferences and supports mobility progress, suggesting its suitability in pediatric rehabilitation settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1924405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13582389/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148992862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Market shaping via digital public infrastructure for assistive technology in low- and middle-income countries.","authors":"Will Wade, Sijung Hu, James Fleming","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1881812","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1881812","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Digital assistive technology (AT) is now delivered through a variety of platforms, including smartphones, cloud services, dedicated devices, and embedded systems rather than a single dominant form factor. However, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), affordability, connectivity, electrical reliability, service capacity, and uneven language infrastructure continue to determine which digital pathways can be deployed and maintained at scale. This perspective argues that market-shaping strategies should prioritise the development of shared digital infrastructure beneath the application layer; this includes representative datasets and language resources, reusable models and reference toolchains, and deployment pathways tailored to resource-constrained environments. It proposes a three-part Market Stack comprising governed data and language resources, reusable core models and reference pipelines, and localised commercialisation and service delivery by small and medium enterprises. The central argument is not to replace smartphones but to ensure that digital AT markets in constrained settings work best when innovators and procurers can choose among smartphone, dedicated, embedded, and hybrid solutions. Therefore, funders and policymakers should view data, language resources, and foundational tooling as public-interest investments that widen the range of assistive products available in LMIC markets.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1881812"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13575809/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148978917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: The relationship between motor and cognitive performance and cortical activity in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review of functional nearinfrared spectroscopy studies.","authors":"Hongjiao Sun, Haonan Xing, Kechun Hu, Zhongyu Wu, Jiawei Wu","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1941006","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1941006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2026.1851559.].</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1941006"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13572911/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148972581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Habilitation and assistive devices for persons with disabilities: a new approach to respect for human rights and inclusion.","authors":"Giampiero Griffo","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1783746","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1783746","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In recent years, the development of assistive technologies has profoundly changed the idea of what it means to be human and what humans are capable of, in particular for persons with disabilities; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) highlights that disability is a social construction. New concepts have been developed, such as empowerment, enabling, inclusion, habilitation, and human rights, that have changed the meaning of making tools available to encourage full participation, hoping to solve challenges of today, such as barriers, obstacles, and discrimination. The development of assistive devices has reconfigured the limits of the human body for all persons and has made it clear that persons with functional limitations can overcome the body's hereditary materiality limits, activating enabling and resilient factors that configure a different normality of \"doing\". The post-human perspectives question traditional rehabilitation forms, which are no longer centered on recovering a lost or limited function according to a predefined model of \"normality\" and health (ableism), but reformulating the idea of how a person can function. It is from the analysis of the human being's functioning profile that new forms of protection for persons with disabilities and their human rights can be explored, such as the customized participatory projects envisaged by the Italian welfare reform legislation. In this context, Article 26 of the UNCRPD proposes a new approach to support the human rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Assistive devices are no longer a tool linked to the health sector, but rather allow us to expand the ability to participate and broaden functional capabilities and should therefore be provided in a social context, as useful tools to achieve full citizenship.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1783746"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13572597/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148972520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Handgrip strength reference values and dynapenia risk thresholds in an urban adult sample from Lima, Peru.","authors":"Santos Lucio Chero-Pisfil, Aimeé Yajaira Díaz-Mau, Vanessa Elizabeth Huamanchumo-Barrientos, Rosita Maricielo Samame-Pérez, Estrella Elena Sosa-Quispe, Edgar Mario Tipula-Tipula, Ángel Eduardo Rueda-Villegas, Regina Munarriz-Medina, Antonio Esquinas","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1904963","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1904963","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Handgrip strength is widely recognized as a practical biomarker of muscle function and an important screening tool for sarcopenia and functional decline. However, most di-agnostic thresholds currently used in clinical practice were developed in European or North American populations, which may limit their applicability in other ethnic groups. Evidence suggests that muscle strength varies substantially across populations, potentially leading to misclassification when universal cut-off points are applied.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objective of this study was to establish age- and sex-specific reference values for handgrip strength in Peruvian adults and to propose locally derived thresholds for identifying individuals at risk of dynapenia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 439 adults aged 20-70 years recruited from a respiratory rehabilitation center in Lima, Peru. Handgrip strength was measured using a calibrated digital dynamometer following standardized procedures recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists. Descriptive statistics and percentile curves (p10-p90) were generated stratified by age and sex. The 10th percentile was considered a preliminary threshold for potential dynapenia. Associations between age and muscle strength were examined using Pearson correlation and simple linear regression models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Men demonstrated higher mean handgrip strength than women (dominant hand: 29.97 ± 7.52 kg vs. 26.87 ± 4.66 kg; <i>p</i> < 0.005). Strength declined progressively with age, with regression models indicating an estimated reduction of approximately 2.3-2.5 kg per decade. Normative percentile distributions revealed lower absolute strength values compared with commonly used international reference standards. When contrasted with EWGSOP2 diagnostic thresholds, these differences suggested that international cut-off values may not fully reflect the physical characteristics of this population, underscoring the need for population-adapted benchmarks and further validation studies before drawing diagnostic conclusions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides the first age- and sex-specific reference values for handgrip strength in a Peruvian adult population. The findings support the importance of population adapted thresholds for screening muscle weakness and suggest that locally derived percentiles may improve the identification of individuals at risk of functional decline in clinical and public health settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1904963"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13553835/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148922054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sex-related differences in the physical, functional, physiological, and emotional profile of adults with chronic vestibular hypofunction: a cross-sectional EXERVEST study.","authors":"Maitane Ruiz-Rios, Asier Lekue-Madinabeitia, Mikel Tous-Espelosin, Pablo Corres, Ibai Garcia-Tabar, Lucas Tojal-Sierra, Antonio Moreno-Rueda, Sara Maldonado-Martin","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1890080","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1890080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic vestibular hypofunction (CVH), often resulting from illness or injury, is linked to sedentary behaviour, poor sleep, and comorbidities. This cross-sectional descriptive study characterized the physical, functional, physiological, and emotional profiles of adults with CVH and explored sex-related differences within this population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants (<i>N</i> = 67, 58 yrs, 43 women) with CVH were assessed on their body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), balance and fall risk (posturography and Modified Dynamic Gait Index, MDGI), health-related quality of life (Dizziness Handicap Inventory, DHI), emotional profile (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI-II] and Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI]), level of physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour, and sleep quality (accelerometry).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>As a group, participants showed a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.8 (0.7-0.9), mean MDGI score of 61.0 points, standard somatosensory and visual data from posturography, a median values of DHI, BDI-II, and BAI of 26.0 (16.0-34.0), 11.0 (4.0-17.5), and 12 (7.8-20.3), respectively; sleep efficiency >85%, greater sedentary behaviour (∼54%) relative to PA levels, reduced total sleep time (TST) and a higher frequency of nocturnal awakenings than recommended (35.7 ± 14.7 min). Sex-related differences were observed (<i>P</i> < 0.05): women were older, showed higher fat mass (+18%), better sleep efficiency (+2.4%), more bedtime (+5.7%), and TST (+8.0%), but lower fat-free mass (-9.7%), visual dependence (-18%), and CRF (-20.7%) compared to men. No sex differences were observed in dizziness handicap, anxiety, depression, or PA levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Adults with CVH exhibited a multidimensional clinical profile with sex-related differences in several physical, functional, and physiological outcomes. These findings support comprehensive clinical assessment and warrant longitudinal studies to determine the clinical relevance of these differences for personalized programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1890080"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13555604/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148922042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of low vision rehabilitation on visual function and quality of life in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.","authors":"Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo, Sylvia Agyekum, Sylvester Kyeremeh, Albert Kwadjo Amoah Andoh, Isaiah Osei Duah Junior, Josephine Ampomah Boateng, Nana Akwasi Owusu Mensah, Eldrick Adu Acquah, David Owiredu, Samson Darrah, Debora Abena Baidoo, Werner Eisenbarth","doi":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1878737","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fresc.2026.1878737","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of low vision rehabilitation on visual outcomes and quality of life in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).</p><p><strong>Data sources: </strong>Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, CENTRAL, Google Scholar, and Scopus were searched from inception to May 2025. Searches were restricted to English-language publications.</p><p><strong>Review methods: </strong>Titles and abstracts were screened in Covidence, with data extraction performed independently by two reviewers and disagreements resolved by consensus. Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools for quasi-experimental and cross-sectional designs. Due to heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively following the SWiM (Synthesis Without Meta-analysis) framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 48,601 records, only three studies met the inclusion criteria, underscoring a critical evidence gap. All reported improvements in visual outcomes with optical devices included enhanced distance and near acuity, faster reading speeds, and fewer reading errors. One study documented significant quality-of-life gains, particularly in social functioning, with an improvement of 76.6% on the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25). Another study highlighted that many students previously enrolled in schools for the blind retained functional vision following intervention, reflecting both the efficacy of rehabilitation and the unmet need for accessible services.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The available evidence suggests low vision rehabilitation with optical devices may improve visual function and social participation-related quality of life in SSA. Despite the scarcity of studies and limited evidence base, these preliminary findings highlight the potential value of rehabilitation services in advancing education, independence, and psychosocial well-being in the region.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024496027.</p>","PeriodicalId":73102,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"1878737"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13553853/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}