BACKGROUND: Walking speed predicts important clinical outcomes in older adults and is one of the most significant indicators of frailty. OBJECTIVE: To test whether it is feasible to measure walking speed frequently and unobtrusively in the home. METHODS: A longitudinal feasibility study was conducted comprising the installation and monitoring of continuous measurement walking speed sensors in twenty frail older adults’ homes for a period of twelve weeks (eighteen participants completed the study). Manual walking speed, frailty level and health status were measured at four-weekly intervals. Qualitative interviews were conducted at the end of the study to assess participants’ attitudes to the sensors and to the concept of continuous in-home walking speed measurement. RESULTS: There was a high degree of variance to the number of walking speed measurements recorded by each participant’s sensor (median 1942.39, range 2-3617). Participants indicated acceptability of both the sensor within the home and the concept of in-home walking speed measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Where regular measurement was achieved, the results indicate that walking speed might be better viewed as a distribution rather than a single figure, taking into account the natural variation to walking speed in daily life. This study demonstrates the feasibility of continuous ambient in-home walking speed monitoring of older adults with a low-cost, easily deployed device.
{"title":"Continuous in-home walking speed monitoring in older people with a low-cost ambient sensor: Results of a feasibility study","authors":"P. Joddrell, Stephen Potter, L. Witte, M. Hawley","doi":"10.3233/TAD-200316","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/TAD-200316","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Walking speed predicts important clinical outcomes in older adults and is one of the most significant indicators of frailty. OBJECTIVE: To test whether it is feasible to measure walking speed frequently and unobtrusively in the home. METHODS: A longitudinal feasibility study was conducted comprising the installation and monitoring of continuous measurement walking speed sensors in twenty frail older adults’ homes for a period of twelve weeks (eighteen participants completed the study). Manual walking speed, frailty level and health status were measured at four-weekly intervals. Qualitative interviews were conducted at the end of the study to assess participants’ attitudes to the sensors and to the concept of continuous in-home walking speed measurement. RESULTS: There was a high degree of variance to the number of walking speed measurements recorded by each participant’s sensor (median 1942.39, range 2-3617). Participants indicated acceptability of both the sensor within the home and the concept of in-home walking speed measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Where regular measurement was achieved, the results indicate that walking speed might be better viewed as a distribution rather than a single figure, taking into account the natural variation to walking speed in daily life. This study demonstrates the feasibility of continuous ambient in-home walking speed monitoring of older adults with a low-cost, easily deployed device.","PeriodicalId":22201,"journal":{"name":"Technology and Disability","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2021-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/TAD-200316","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45837980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alora McDonnell, S. Benham, Catherine Fleming, Amy Raphael
BACKGROUND: Young adults with an intellectual disability require transportation to participate in work and leisure, however reports on specific public transportation training programs, use of assistive technology supports, and outcomes are limited. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study was designed to explore if a transportation training program which utilized technology aids decreased the amount travel assistance required. A secondary objective was to observe and describe the specific assistive technology utilized while traveling within the community. METHODS: Eight individualized training sessions were administered within the community with the integration of technology aids and travel skill training through a facilitated learning model. The Pre & Post Travel Training Test was administered pre-test and post-test. RESULTS: The paired t test (n= 10) revealed a significant increase in scores upon post-test (p= 0.00011), indicating a decrease in assistance required for travel. The most preferred technology aid was individualized, printed Google Maps directions (60%) followed by smartphone Apps (40%) and visual social stories (40%). CONCLUSIONS: All participants increased independence in public transportation travel skills. Ample opportunity to trial low to high technology aids should be considered. Through this initial pilot, possible greater availability of access to work and community opportunities may result after community-based transportation training.
{"title":"Community-based public transportation training with the integration of assistive technology: A pilot program for young adults with intellectual disability","authors":"Alora McDonnell, S. Benham, Catherine Fleming, Amy Raphael","doi":"10.3233/TAD-200306","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/TAD-200306","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Young adults with an intellectual disability require transportation to participate in work and leisure, however reports on specific public transportation training programs, use of assistive technology supports, and outcomes are limited. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study was designed to explore if a transportation training program which utilized technology aids decreased the amount travel assistance required. A secondary objective was to observe and describe the specific assistive technology utilized while traveling within the community. METHODS: Eight individualized training sessions were administered within the community with the integration of technology aids and travel skill training through a facilitated learning model. The Pre & Post Travel Training Test was administered pre-test and post-test. RESULTS: The paired t test (n= 10) revealed a significant increase in scores upon post-test (p= 0.00011), indicating a decrease in assistance required for travel. The most preferred technology aid was individualized, printed Google Maps directions (60%) followed by smartphone Apps (40%) and visual social stories (40%). CONCLUSIONS: All participants increased independence in public transportation travel skills. Ample opportunity to trial low to high technology aids should be considered. Through this initial pilot, possible greater availability of access to work and community opportunities may result after community-based transportation training.","PeriodicalId":22201,"journal":{"name":"Technology and Disability","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2021-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/TAD-200306","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48512843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BACKGROUND: Identifying obstacles and potholes in the pathway of the visually impaired have received much attention. While much has been done on the detection of obstacles, in the design of electronic mobility aids, much more is needed to be done on the detection of holes and drop-offs, especially those that are affordable and hands-free. This paper therefore considers the development of a wearable electronic mobility aid. METHODS: The developed system is based on the multisensor fusion approach of detection which combined three techniques, namely: a source of laser light, a camera and an ultrasonic sensor. A red line generating laser source is used to project a straight line and this is captured by the camera. The red line is deformed differently on coming in contact with holes or standing obstacles. The pattern of deformation is then extracted for obstacle and pothole recognition. The visibility of laser light is greatly reduced when the scene is extremely illuminated, so this is complemented with edge detection. The edge detection uses edges in the identification of holes and obstacles. This is combined with ultrasonic sensing, so that the presence of obstacles can be differentiated from that of holes. The outcome of detection and the distance of obstacles from the blind are relayed via an audio cue. REDULTS: Its evaluation showed better performance compared to the guide cane. It showed a reduction in collision rate by 83.25% and reduction in falling rate by 84.62%. The device received good acceptability from the users.
{"title":"A multisensor electronic traveling aid for the visually impaired","authors":"A. M. Jubril, S. J. Samuel","doi":"10.3233/TAD-200280","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/TAD-200280","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Identifying obstacles and potholes in the pathway of the visually impaired have received much attention. While much has been done on the detection of obstacles, in the design of electronic mobility aids, much more is needed to be done on the detection of holes and drop-offs, especially those that are affordable and hands-free. This paper therefore considers the development of a wearable electronic mobility aid. METHODS: The developed system is based on the multisensor fusion approach of detection which combined three techniques, namely: a source of laser light, a camera and an ultrasonic sensor. A red line generating laser source is used to project a straight line and this is captured by the camera. The red line is deformed differently on coming in contact with holes or standing obstacles. The pattern of deformation is then extracted for obstacle and pothole recognition. The visibility of laser light is greatly reduced when the scene is extremely illuminated, so this is complemented with edge detection. The edge detection uses edges in the identification of holes and obstacles. This is combined with ultrasonic sensing, so that the presence of obstacles can be differentiated from that of holes. The outcome of detection and the distance of obstacles from the blind are relayed via an audio cue. REDULTS: Its evaluation showed better performance compared to the guide cane. It showed a reduction in collision rate by 83.25% and reduction in falling rate by 84.62%. The device received good acceptability from the users.","PeriodicalId":22201,"journal":{"name":"Technology and Disability","volume":"1 1","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2021-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/TAD-200280","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45633324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BACKGROUND: Assistive technologies are playing a vital role in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. OBJECTIVE: The current paper presents the design and assessment of an “all-in-one” wearable solution incorporating location monitoring, scheduling, communication, and physiological parameters monitoring functionalities for children with autism and their families/carers. METHODS: Twenty high-functioning children and twenty-five parents participated in the research. The final application was assessed over a period of two months. A highly patient-centred design was followed by a multidisciplinary team of experts (experts in the field of special education, speech therapy, psychology, and informatics) with significant experience in children with autism. The evaluation took place in a real and open environment. All participants were administered the PYTHEIA questionnaire in order to assess the various characteristics of the platform. Pearson’s Chi-squared test was used to examine the independence of the variables, with a statistical significance of 95%. RESULTS: The results support that the implemented features can effectively assist everyday life activities and facilitate the independent living of children with autism. The subjective evaluation of the solution revealed important considerations for further developments. Both groups of users (parents and children) were very satisfied with the implemented functionalities. The flexibility given by the PYTHEIA instrument was very important for the subjective assessment of the different functionalities of the solution. All examined axes were found excellent in terms of their adaptability in daily life activities. CONCLUSIONS: Real-world applications, able to run in an open and uncontrolled environment are critical for this population. PYTHEIA is a valuable instrument that supports the assessment of the device and application as a whole, as well as the evaluation of individual features and functions.
{"title":"An “all-in-one” wearable application for assisting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder","authors":"Y. Koumpouros","doi":"10.3233/TAD-200291","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/TAD-200291","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Assistive technologies are playing a vital role in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. OBJECTIVE: The current paper presents the design and assessment of an “all-in-one” wearable solution incorporating location monitoring, scheduling, communication, and physiological parameters monitoring functionalities for children with autism and their families/carers. METHODS: Twenty high-functioning children and twenty-five parents participated in the research. The final application was assessed over a period of two months. A highly patient-centred design was followed by a multidisciplinary team of experts (experts in the field of special education, speech therapy, psychology, and informatics) with significant experience in children with autism. The evaluation took place in a real and open environment. All participants were administered the PYTHEIA questionnaire in order to assess the various characteristics of the platform. Pearson’s Chi-squared test was used to examine the independence of the variables, with a statistical significance of 95%. RESULTS: The results support that the implemented features can effectively assist everyday life activities and facilitate the independent living of children with autism. The subjective evaluation of the solution revealed important considerations for further developments. Both groups of users (parents and children) were very satisfied with the implemented functionalities. The flexibility given by the PYTHEIA instrument was very important for the subjective assessment of the different functionalities of the solution. All examined axes were found excellent in terms of their adaptability in daily life activities. CONCLUSIONS: Real-world applications, able to run in an open and uncontrolled environment are critical for this population. PYTHEIA is a valuable instrument that supports the assessment of the device and application as a whole, as well as the evaluation of individual features and functions.","PeriodicalId":22201,"journal":{"name":"Technology and Disability","volume":"33 1","pages":"65-75"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2021-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/TAD-200291","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45316238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BACKGROUND: The impact of paediatric upper limb difference may extend beyond the child themselves to their parents and other family members. Previous research has found that feelings of shock, numbness and loss are common amongst parents and that peer support can be a buffer against stress. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore the experiences of parents of children with limb difference, and the role of services and prosthetic devices in these experiences. METHODS: Nine parents of children with limb difference participated in either a group (n= 2) or individual (n= 7) interview. RESULTS: Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed four themes – ‘grief and guilt’, ‘prosthesis as a tool for parental adjustment’, ‘support’ and ‘fun and humour’. CONCLUSIONS: Parents may employ coping strategies to help them adjust to their child’s limb difference, including use of a prosthesis, accessing support from statutory services and peers, and use of fun and humour within the family.
{"title":"Parental perspective: The role of prostheses and prosthetics services in adjusting to a child’s upper limb difference","authors":"T. Sims, M. Donovan-Hall, C. Metcalf","doi":"10.3233/tad-200300","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/tad-200300","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: The impact of paediatric upper limb difference may extend beyond the child themselves to their parents and other family members. Previous research has found that feelings of shock, numbness and loss are common amongst parents and that peer support can be a buffer against stress. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore the experiences of parents of children with limb difference, and the role of services and prosthetic devices in these experiences. METHODS: Nine parents of children with limb difference participated in either a group (n= 2) or individual (n= 7) interview. RESULTS: Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed four themes – ‘grief and guilt’, ‘prosthesis as a tool for parental adjustment’, ‘support’ and ‘fun and humour’. CONCLUSIONS: Parents may employ coping strategies to help them adjust to their child’s limb difference, including use of a prosthesis, accessing support from statutory services and peers, and use of fun and humour within the family.","PeriodicalId":22201,"journal":{"name":"Technology and Disability","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2021-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/tad-200300","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47350163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rúbia E. O. Schultz Ascari, Luciano Silva, Roberto Pereira
BACKGROUND: The use of computers as a communication tool by people with disabilities can serve as an alternative effective to promote social interactions and the more inclusive and active participation of people in society. OBJECTIVE: This paper presents a systematic mapping of the literature that provides a survey of scientific contributions where Computer Vision is applied to enable users with motor and speech impairments to access computers easily, allowing them to exert their communicative abilities. METHODS: The mapping was conducted employing searches that identified 221 potentially eligible scientific articles published between 2009 and 2019, indexed by ACM, IEEE, Science Direct, and Springer databases. RESULTS: From the retrieved papers, 33 were selected and categorized into themes of this research interest: Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Machine Interaction, Human-Robot Interaction, Recreation, and surveys. Most of the chosen studies use sets of predefined gestures, low-cost cameras, and tracking a specific body region for gestural interaction. CONCLUSION: The results offer an overview of the Computer Vision techniques used in applied research on Assistive Technology for people with motor and speech disabilities, pointing out opportunities and challenges in this research domain.
{"title":"Computer Vision applied to improve interaction and communication of people with motor disabilities: A systematic mapping","authors":"Rúbia E. O. Schultz Ascari, Luciano Silva, Roberto Pereira","doi":"10.3233/TAD-200308","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/TAD-200308","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: The use of computers as a communication tool by people with disabilities can serve as an alternative effective to promote social interactions and the more inclusive and active participation of people in society. OBJECTIVE: This paper presents a systematic mapping of the literature that provides a survey of scientific contributions where Computer Vision is applied to enable users with motor and speech impairments to access computers easily, allowing them to exert their communicative abilities. METHODS: The mapping was conducted employing searches that identified 221 potentially eligible scientific articles published between 2009 and 2019, indexed by ACM, IEEE, Science Direct, and Springer databases. RESULTS: From the retrieved papers, 33 were selected and categorized into themes of this research interest: Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Machine Interaction, Human-Robot Interaction, Recreation, and surveys. Most of the chosen studies use sets of predefined gestures, low-cost cameras, and tracking a specific body region for gestural interaction. CONCLUSION: The results offer an overview of the Computer Vision techniques used in applied research on Assistive Technology for people with motor and speech disabilities, pointing out opportunities and challenges in this research domain.","PeriodicalId":22201,"journal":{"name":"Technology and Disability","volume":"33 1","pages":"11-28"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2021-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/TAD-200308","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41639062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Hernandez, Isabelle Poitras, L. Fay, Ajmal Khan, J. Roy, E. Biddiss
BACKGROUND: Video games can be used to motivate repetitive movements in paediatric rehabilitation. Most upper limb videogaming therapies do not however include haptic feedback which can limit their impact. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of interactive computer play with haptic feedback for improving arm function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Eleven children with hemiplegic CP attended 12 therapist-guided sessions in which they used a gaming station composed of the Novint Falcon, custom-built handles, physical supports for the child’s arm, games, and an application to manage and calibrate therapeutic settings. Outcome measures included Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The study protocol is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04298411). RESULTS: Participants completed a mean of 3858 wrist extensions and 6665 elbow/shoulder movements during the therapist-guided sessions. Clinically important improvements were observed on the dissociated and grasp dimensions on the QUEST and the performance and satisfaction scales of the COPM (all p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that computer play with haptic feedback could be a useful and playful option to help improve the hand/arm capacities of children with CP and warrants further study. The opportunities and challenges of using low-cost, mainstream gaming software and hardware for therapeutic applications are discussed.
{"title":"A gaming system with haptic feedback to improve upper extremity function: A prospective case series","authors":"H. Hernandez, Isabelle Poitras, L. Fay, Ajmal Khan, J. Roy, E. Biddiss","doi":"10.3233/tad-200319","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/tad-200319","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Video games can be used to motivate repetitive movements in paediatric rehabilitation. Most upper limb videogaming therapies do not however include haptic feedback which can limit their impact. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of interactive computer play with haptic feedback for improving arm function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Eleven children with hemiplegic CP attended 12 therapist-guided sessions in which they used a gaming station composed of the Novint Falcon, custom-built handles, physical supports for the child’s arm, games, and an application to manage and calibrate therapeutic settings. Outcome measures included Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The study protocol is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04298411). RESULTS: Participants completed a mean of 3858 wrist extensions and 6665 elbow/shoulder movements during the therapist-guided sessions. Clinically important improvements were observed on the dissociated and grasp dimensions on the QUEST and the performance and satisfaction scales of the COPM (all p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that computer play with haptic feedback could be a useful and playful option to help improve the hand/arm capacities of children with CP and warrants further study. The opportunities and challenges of using low-cost, mainstream gaming software and hardware for therapeutic applications are discussed.","PeriodicalId":22201,"journal":{"name":"Technology and Disability","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/tad-200319","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69491146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BACKGROUND: Most of the patients who survive stroke, spinal cord or others nervous system injuries, must face different challenges for a complete recovery of physical functional impairment. An accurate and recurrent assessment of the patient rehabilitation progress is very important. So far, wearable sensors (e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes) and depth cameras have been used in medical rehabilitation for the automation of traditional motor assessments. Combined with machine learning techniques, these sensors are leading to novel metric systems for upper limb mobility assessment. OBJECTIVE: Review current research for objective and quantitative assessments of the upper limb movement, analyzing sensors used, health issues examined, and data processes applied such as: selected features, feature engineering approach, learning models and data processing techniques. METHOD: A systematic review conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. EBSCOHOST discovery service was queried for relevant articles published from January 2014 to December 2018 with English language and scholarly peer reviewed journals limits. RESULTS: Of the 568 articles identified, 75 were assessed for eligibility and 43 were finally included and weighed for an in-depth analysis according to their ponderation. The reviewed studies show a wide use of sensors to capture raw data for subsequent motion analysis. CONCLUSION: As the volume of the data captured via these sensors increase, it makes sense to extract useful information about them such as prediction of performance scores, detection of movement impairments and measured progression of recovery.
{"title":"Objective assessments of human motor ability of the upper limb: A systematic review","authors":"Edwin P. Duque, H. Trefftz, Sakti Srivastava","doi":"10.3233/tad-200263","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/tad-200263","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Most of the patients who survive stroke, spinal cord or others nervous system injuries, must face different challenges for a complete recovery of physical functional impairment. An accurate and recurrent assessment of the patient rehabilitation progress is very important. So far, wearable sensors (e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes) and depth cameras have been used in medical rehabilitation for the automation of traditional motor assessments. Combined with machine learning techniques, these sensors are leading to novel metric systems for upper limb mobility assessment. OBJECTIVE: Review current research for objective and quantitative assessments of the upper limb movement, analyzing sensors used, health issues examined, and data processes applied such as: selected features, feature engineering approach, learning models and data processing techniques. METHOD: A systematic review conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. EBSCOHOST discovery service was queried for relevant articles published from January 2014 to December 2018 with English language and scholarly peer reviewed journals limits. RESULTS: Of the 568 articles identified, 75 were assessed for eligibility and 43 were finally included and weighed for an in-depth analysis according to their ponderation. The reviewed studies show a wide use of sensors to capture raw data for subsequent motion analysis. CONCLUSION: As the volume of the data captured via these sensors increase, it makes sense to extract useful information about them such as prediction of performance scores, detection of movement impairments and measured progression of recovery.","PeriodicalId":22201,"journal":{"name":"Technology and Disability","volume":"33 1","pages":"29-44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/tad-200263","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69485382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Luc Oscar Lissom, V. Bonsangue, M. Macca, G. Severini, Susanna Lavezzi, N. Basaglia, S. Straudi
BACKGROUND: There is still no clear evidence available on the role of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and on the relationship between this intervention and cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the impact of the cognitive level at admission on functional recovery in a cohort of patients with severe TBI who received RAGT training within a multidisciplinary rehabilitation setting. METHODS: We included patients with gait disturbance due to a severe TBI. Patients were grouped into three classes according to their level of cognitive functioning (LCF) at admission (LCF 2-3; LCF 4-5-6; LCF 7-8). We collected demographics (sex, age), clinical data, and a set of outcome measures at admission and discharge. RESULTS: We registered 80 patients, 19 females and 61 males, 35.3 ± 14.85 years. Patients with a low cognitive level at admission were mostly subacute (p= 0.001). Cognitive impairment despite longer length stay in the hospital (LOS) (p= 0.001) did not preclude recovery after RAGT in terms of cognition (R2= 0.68; p< 0.0001), functional independence (R2= 0.30; p< 0.0001) and overall disability (R2= 0.32; p< 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Irrespective of their level of cognition, patients with severe TBI might benefit from RAGT during a multidisciplinary program.
{"title":"The cognitive level does not interfere with recovery after robot-assisted gait training in traumatic brain injury: A 10-year cohort study","authors":"Luc Oscar Lissom, V. Bonsangue, M. Macca, G. Severini, Susanna Lavezzi, N. Basaglia, S. Straudi","doi":"10.3233/tad-200324","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/tad-200324","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: There is still no clear evidence available on the role of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and on the relationship between this intervention and cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the impact of the cognitive level at admission on functional recovery in a cohort of patients with severe TBI who received RAGT training within a multidisciplinary rehabilitation setting. METHODS: We included patients with gait disturbance due to a severe TBI. Patients were grouped into three classes according to their level of cognitive functioning (LCF) at admission (LCF 2-3; LCF 4-5-6; LCF 7-8). We collected demographics (sex, age), clinical data, and a set of outcome measures at admission and discharge. RESULTS: We registered 80 patients, 19 females and 61 males, 35.3 ± 14.85 years. Patients with a low cognitive level at admission were mostly subacute (p= 0.001). Cognitive impairment despite longer length stay in the hospital (LOS) (p= 0.001) did not preclude recovery after RAGT in terms of cognition (R2= 0.68; p< 0.0001), functional independence (R2= 0.30; p< 0.0001) and overall disability (R2= 0.32; p< 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Irrespective of their level of cognition, patients with severe TBI might benefit from RAGT during a multidisciplinary program.","PeriodicalId":22201,"journal":{"name":"Technology and Disability","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/tad-200324","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69491211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Edwin J. Myers, David S. Dominguez, Melissa E. Guigliano, Melissa G. Mallory
INTRODUCTION: This study compared the inter-instrument reliability of the Jamar Hand Dynamometer (Jamar) to the BTE EVJ Handgrip tool (EVJ). The EVJ is a new digital handgrip instrument designed by BTE Technologies Inc. (BTE Tech) utilizing Bluetooth technology to automatically upload data to a computer or electronic health record. METHOD: This repeated measure study engaged 338 participants (N= 199 females, N= 139 males) ages 20 to 50. All participants were tested on both devices following the protocol established by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). RESULTS: Comparative statistics included ICC values (0.81–0.84), Pearson R (correlation coefficient) (0.68–0.77), and Bland Altman plots (93–95% of data within 2 SD), indicating good inter-instrument agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The EVJ Handgrip, developed by BTE Technologies, demonstrated good inter-instrument reliability with the Jamar Hand Dynamometer and may be reliable to use when referencing the published normative values in the clinical environment.
{"title":"Comparison of the BTE tech EVJ handgrip to the Jamar hand dynamometer for measuring grip strength","authors":"Edwin J. Myers, David S. Dominguez, Melissa E. Guigliano, Melissa G. Mallory","doi":"10.3233/tad-200318","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/tad-200318","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTION: This study compared the inter-instrument reliability of the Jamar Hand Dynamometer (Jamar) to the BTE EVJ Handgrip tool (EVJ). The EVJ is a new digital handgrip instrument designed by BTE Technologies Inc. (BTE Tech) utilizing Bluetooth technology to automatically upload data to a computer or electronic health record. METHOD: This repeated measure study engaged 338 participants (N= 199 females, N= 139 males) ages 20 to 50. All participants were tested on both devices following the protocol established by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). RESULTS: Comparative statistics included ICC values (0.81–0.84), Pearson R (correlation coefficient) (0.68–0.77), and Bland Altman plots (93–95% of data within 2 SD), indicating good inter-instrument agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The EVJ Handgrip, developed by BTE Technologies, demonstrated good inter-instrument reliability with the Jamar Hand Dynamometer and may be reliable to use when referencing the published normative values in the clinical environment.","PeriodicalId":22201,"journal":{"name":"Technology and Disability","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3233/tad-200318","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69490439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}