Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2023-09-11DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2023.2249031
Amanda Figueiredo Santos de Almeida, Talita Dias da Silva, Íbis Ariana Peña de Moraes, Lilian Del Ciello de Menezes, Eduardo Dati Dias, Luciano Vieira de Araújo, Carlos Bandeira de Mello Monteiro, Helen Dawes, Amanda Orasmo Simcsik, Camila Aparecida de Oliveira Alberissi, Victoria Yanara Hernandes da Silva, Marisa Afonso Andrade Brunherotti, Maria Georgina Marques Tonello
Purpose: People with autism spectrum disorder could benefit from physical activity during the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions, mainly to maintain adequate physical activity. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, enjoyment, and potential effect of telerehabilitation using a serious game named 'MoveHero'.
Materials and methods: Registered in Clinical Trials (NCT04402034). We adopted a remotely run Telerehabilitation research design with 44 participants recruited: 22 People with ASD people and 22 non-ASD individuals.
Results: All participants safely participated, 100% adherence to sessions, ∼60% enjoying the task, and significantly improved performance, with better performance for the NA group at most practice moments.
Conclusions: Our findings support both how to implement a gaming intervention and the need to investigate the efficacy of serious games to motivate moderate intensity physical activity in people with ASD.
{"title":"Virtual reality as a telerehabilitation strategy for people with autism spectrum disorder during the COVID-19 quarantine scenario: physical activity, motor performance and enjoyment.","authors":"Amanda Figueiredo Santos de Almeida, Talita Dias da Silva, Íbis Ariana Peña de Moraes, Lilian Del Ciello de Menezes, Eduardo Dati Dias, Luciano Vieira de Araújo, Carlos Bandeira de Mello Monteiro, Helen Dawes, Amanda Orasmo Simcsik, Camila Aparecida de Oliveira Alberissi, Victoria Yanara Hernandes da Silva, Marisa Afonso Andrade Brunherotti, Maria Georgina Marques Tonello","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2249031","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2249031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>People with autism spectrum disorder could benefit from physical activity during the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions, mainly to maintain adequate physical activity. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, enjoyment, and potential effect of telerehabilitation using a serious game named 'MoveHero'.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Registered in Clinical Trials (NCT04402034). We adopted a remotely run Telerehabilitation research design with 44 participants recruited: 22 People with ASD people and 22 non-ASD individuals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All participants safely participated, 100% adherence to sessions, ∼60% enjoying the task, and significantly improved performance, with better performance for the NA group at most practice moments.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings support both how to implement a gaming intervention and the need to investigate the efficacy of serious games to motivate moderate intensity physical activity in people with ASD.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11229792/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10309020","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}
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the shape of the back support adjustment on the shear force applied to the buttocks when tilt-in-space and reclining functions are combined in wheelchairs.
Materials and methods: Fourteen healthy adult men were included in the study. The force plate was used to measure the parallel force as shear force. The measurement posture, leaning against the back support of an experimental chair, was a comfortable sitting posture. The tilt-in-space angle was set to 15°. The back support was inclined at increasing angles, starting from the upright position (IUP), proceeding to a fully reclined position (FRP), and returning to the upright position (RUP). The experimental conditions were as follows: adjusting the back-support shape (aBS) and non-adjusting the back support shape (non-aBS).
Results: Positive values indicate a parallel force applied to the buttocks posteriorly. The average values in the aBS condition were 3.4 ± 2.3, 13.6 ± 2.2, and -7.1 ± 2.4% body weight in the IUP, FRP, and RUP, respectively. The average values in the non-aBS condition were 3.8 ± 2.5, 11.4 ± 2.1, and -6.2 ± 3.1% body weight in the IUP, FRP, and RUP, respectively. There were significant differences between the two conditions in FRP (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that the shape of the back support adjustment function increased the shear force applied to the buttocks posteriorly when the back support was inclined backwards using both the tilt-in-space and reclining functions.
{"title":"Effect of shape of back support adjustment on shear force applied to buttocks when tilt-in-space and reclining functions are combined in wheelchairs.","authors":"Kenichi Kobara, Yasuyuki Nagata, Hisashi Takahashi, Hiroshi Osaka, Tadanobu Suehiro, Daisuke Fujita","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2267581","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2267581","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the effect of the shape of the back support adjustment on the shear force applied to the buttocks when tilt-in-space and reclining functions are combined in wheelchairs.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Fourteen healthy adult men were included in the study. The force plate was used to measure the parallel force as shear force. The measurement posture, leaning against the back support of an experimental chair, was a comfortable sitting posture. The tilt-in-space angle was set to 15°. The back support was inclined at increasing angles, starting from the upright position (IUP), proceeding to a fully reclined position (FRP), and returning to the upright position (RUP). The experimental conditions were as follows: adjusting the back-support shape (aBS) and non-adjusting the back support shape (non-aBS).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Positive values indicate a parallel force applied to the buttocks posteriorly. The average values in the aBS condition were 3.4 ± 2.3, 13.6 ± 2.2, and -7.1 ± 2.4% body weight in the IUP, FRP, and RUP, respectively. The average values in the non-aBS condition were 3.8 ± 2.5, 11.4 ± 2.1, and -6.2 ± 3.1% body weight in the IUP, FRP, and RUP, respectively. There were significant differences between the two conditions in FRP (<i>p</i> < 0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings suggest that the shape of the back support adjustment function increased the shear force applied to the buttocks posteriorly when the back support was inclined backwards using both the tilt-in-space and reclining functions.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41183803","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}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2024.2374047
Jessica Tsotsoros, Hailey Chamberlin, Reagan Collins, Katlyn McDonald, Luke McAuley
Current wheelchairs used in low-resource settings lack the adjustability required for children with cerebral palsy and are not well-suited for rough terrain environments. This study aimed to examine the durability and functional interface of two wheelchairs specifically designed for use in low-resource settings. This descriptive study assessed 14 wheelchairs used by children with cerebral palsy living in Kenya, Africa (Momentum Wheels for Humanity's Liberty II wheelchair n = 6, Beeline's Honey Bee wheelchair n = 8). Four physical and occupational therapists evaluated durability using the Wheelchair Components Questionnaire (WCQ) and functionality using the Wheelchair Interface Questionnaire (WIQ). Medians were used to compare differences in the chair types using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test in Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) 9.4 with an alpha = 0.05. Median scores on the WCQ were 8.3/10 for the Liberty II and 7.8/10 for Beeline's Honey Bee wheelchair; however, the durability of the wheel locks was lower in the Beeline wheelchair (5.1/10 compared to the Liberty II 8.1/10 (p = 0.002). Median scores on the WIQ were lower and significantly different in the area of preventing distal lower extremity pain (Liberty II =3.7/10 and Beeline = 7.6/10, p = 0.045). Low scores occurred in both chairs in the areas of transfers and transporting the chairs in the community. The Beeline wheelchairs demonstrated higher average ratings for all areas of the WIQ, indicating the wheelchairs fit the children better and were more functional for use in the home and community environment.
目前在低资源环境中使用的轮椅缺乏脑瘫儿童所需的可调节性,也不适合崎岖的地形环境。本研究旨在考察两款专为低资源环境设计的轮椅的耐用性和功能界面。这项描述性研究评估了生活在非洲肯尼亚的 14 名脑瘫儿童使用的轮椅(Momentum Wheels for Humanity 的 Liberty II 轮椅 n = 6,Beeline 的 Honey Bee 轮椅 n = 8)。四名物理和职业治疗师使用轮椅部件问卷(WCQ)对耐用性进行了评估,并使用轮椅界面问卷(WIQ)对功能性进行了评估。使用统计分析软件 (SAS) 9.4 中的 Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney 检验(α = 0.05)来比较不同类型轮椅的差异。自由 II 轮椅的 WCQ 中位数为 8.3/10,Beeline 的 Honey Bee 轮椅为 7.8/10;但是,Beeline 轮椅的轮锁耐用性较低(5.1/10,而自由 II 为 8.1/10(P = 0.002))。在预防下肢远端疼痛方面,WIQ的中位数得分较低,且差异显著(Liberty II =3.7/10,Beeline =7.6/10,p =0.045)。两款轮椅在转移和在社区内搬运方面的得分都较低。Beeline 轮椅在 WIQ 各方面的平均得分都较高,这表明轮椅更适合儿童使用,在家庭和社区环境中的功能性更强。
{"title":"The maintenance and interface of two wheelchairs used by children with cerebral palsy in Kenya: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Jessica Tsotsoros, Hailey Chamberlin, Reagan Collins, Katlyn McDonald, Luke McAuley","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2374047","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2024.2374047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Current wheelchairs used in low-resource settings lack the adjustability required for children with cerebral palsy and are not well-suited for rough terrain environments. This study aimed to examine the durability and functional interface of two wheelchairs specifically designed for use in low-resource settings. This descriptive study assessed 14 wheelchairs used by children with cerebral palsy living in Kenya, Africa (Momentum Wheels for Humanity's Liberty II wheelchair <i>n</i> = 6, Beeline's Honey Bee wheelchair <i>n</i> = 8). Four physical and occupational therapists evaluated durability using the Wheelchair Components Questionnaire (WCQ) and functionality using the Wheelchair Interface Questionnaire (WIQ). Medians were used to compare differences in the chair types using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test in Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) 9.4 with an alpha = 0.05. Median scores on the WCQ were 8.3/10 for the Liberty II and 7.8/10 for Beeline's Honey Bee wheelchair; however, the durability of the wheel locks was lower in the Beeline wheelchair (5.1/10 compared to the Liberty II 8.1/10 (<i>p</i> = 0.002). Median scores on the WIQ were lower and significantly different in the area of preventing distal lower extremity pain (Liberty II =3.7/10 and Beeline = 7.6/10, <i>p</i> = 0.045). Low scores occurred in both chairs in the areas of transfers and transporting the chairs in the community. The Beeline wheelchairs demonstrated higher average ratings for all areas of the WIQ, indicating the wheelchairs fit the children better and were more functional for use in the home and community environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141471601","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}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2022-08-26DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2022.2105961
Katherine Broomfield, Deborah Harrop, Georgina L Jones, Karen Sage, Simon Judge
Purpose: This paper presents a review of the existing qualitative research literature concerning people's experience of communicating using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The aims of conducting this review were to find out more about the values and outcomes that are important to people about the AAC they use to support their communication. This review was conducted to provide a deeper understanding of these experiences to inform the development of a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM).
Materials and methods: A qualitative evidence synthesis of existing qualitative research literature was undertaken to explore and appraise current knowledge about the experiences of people who use AAC.
Results: From 115 qualitative research reports 19 papers were identified that responded directly to the research question and aims of the review. Data were identified that could be organized within an a priori framework consisting of the constructs of values, outcomes, and context.
Conclusion: The review has resulted in a deeper, analytical understanding of the experiences of people who require AAC. The results indicate a set of concepts that can be used to inform the development of a PROM. A PROM can be used to assist clinicians and researchers to better understand the perspectives of people who require AAC and evaluate interventions. The results also encourage professionals to reconsider the terminology and methods used when working alongside people who require AAC and to reflect on the multidimensional factors that influence people's experience of communication.
{"title":"A qualitative evidence synthesis of the experiences and perspectives of communicating using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).","authors":"Katherine Broomfield, Deborah Harrop, Georgina L Jones, Karen Sage, Simon Judge","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2022.2105961","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2022.2105961","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This paper presents a review of the existing qualitative research literature concerning people's experience of communicating using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The aims of conducting this review were to find out more about the values and outcomes that are important to people about the AAC they use to support their communication. This review was conducted to provide a deeper understanding of these experiences to inform the development of a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A qualitative evidence synthesis of existing qualitative research literature was undertaken to explore and appraise current knowledge about the experiences of people who use AAC.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 115 qualitative research reports 19 papers were identified that responded directly to the research question and aims of the review. Data were identified that could be organized within an a priori framework consisting of the constructs of values, outcomes, and context.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The review has resulted in a deeper, analytical understanding of the experiences of people who require AAC. The results indicate a set of concepts that can be used to inform the development of a PROM. A PROM can be used to assist clinicians and researchers to better understand the perspectives of people who require AAC and evaluate interventions. The results also encourage professionals to reconsider the terminology and methods used when working alongside people who require AAC and to reflect on the multidimensional factors that influence people's experience of communication.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9612935/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40644624","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}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2023-10-19DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2023.2269976
Pasquale Balzan, Catherine Tattersall, Rebecca Palmer, Michael Murray
Purpose: The fragmented nature of the medical device market limits our understanding of how particular sub-markets navigate the device development process. Despite the widespread use of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), its use for acquired dysarthria treatment has not been sufficiently explored. This study aims to provide a preliminary understanding of the stages involved in the development of NMES devices designed for neurorehabilitation. It also aims to investigate manufacturers' perceptions concerning factors that facilitate or impede its development and determine its applicability for acquired dysarthria.
Materials and methods: In-depth semi-structured online interviews were conducted with eight NMES device manufacturers located across Europe, North America and Oceania. The interviews were video-recorded, automatically transcribed, manually reviewed, and analysed using a qualitative content analysis.
Results: NMES device development for neurorehabilitation involves six complex phases with sequential and overlapping activities. Some emerging concepts were comparable to established medical device models, while others were specific to NMES. Its adaptability to different neurological disorders, the positive academia-industry collaborations, the industry's growth prospects and the promising global efforts for standardised regulations are all key facilitators for its development. However, financial, political, regulatory, and natural constraints emerged as barriers. Indications and challenges for the applicability of NMES for acquired dysarthria treatment were also discussed.
Conclusion: The findings provide a foundation for further investigations on the NMES market sub-sector, particularly in the context of neurorehabilitation. The study also provides insights into the potential adoption of NMES for acquired dysarthria, which can serve as a reference for future research.
{"title":"Mapping the development process of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation devices for neurorehabilitation, the associated barriers and facilitators, and its applicability to acquired dysarthria: a qualitative study of manufacturers' perspectives.","authors":"Pasquale Balzan, Catherine Tattersall, Rebecca Palmer, Michael Murray","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2269976","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2269976","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The fragmented nature of the medical device market limits our understanding of how particular sub-markets navigate the device development process. Despite the widespread use of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), its use for acquired dysarthria treatment has not been sufficiently explored. This study aims to provide a preliminary understanding of the stages involved in the development of NMES devices designed for neurorehabilitation. It also aims to investigate manufacturers' perceptions concerning factors that facilitate or impede its development and determine its applicability for acquired dysarthria.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In-depth semi-structured online interviews were conducted with eight NMES device manufacturers located across Europe, North America and Oceania. The interviews were video-recorded, automatically transcribed, manually reviewed, and analysed using a qualitative content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>NMES device development for neurorehabilitation involves six complex phases with sequential and overlapping activities. Some emerging concepts were comparable to established medical device models, while others were specific to NMES. Its adaptability to different neurological disorders, the positive academia-industry collaborations, the industry's growth prospects and the promising global efforts for standardised regulations are all key facilitators for its development. However, financial, political, regulatory, and natural constraints emerged as barriers. Indications and challenges for the applicability of NMES for acquired dysarthria treatment were also discussed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings provide a foundation for further investigations on the NMES market sub-sector, particularly in the context of neurorehabilitation. The study also provides insights into the potential adoption of NMES for acquired dysarthria, which can serve as a reference for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49683592","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}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2023-08-07DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2023.2242898
Sivashankar Sivakanthan, Rosemarie Cooper, Celia Lopes, Hailee Kulich, Nikitha Deepak, Chang Dae Lee, Hongwu Wang, Jorge L Candiotti, Brad E Dicianno, Alicia Koontz, Rory A Cooper
Purpose: Existing automated vehicle transportation guidelines and regulations have minimal guidance to address the specific needs of people with disabilities. Accessibility should be at the forefront to increase autonomy and independence for people with disabilities. The purpose of this research is to better understand potential facilitators and barriers to using accessible autonomous transportation.
Methods: Focus groups were conducted with key stakeholders derived from people with disabilities (n = 5), travel companions/caregivers (n = 5), and transportation experts or designers (n = 11).
Results: The themes include describing stakeholder perceptions across all three groups by identified themes: autonomous vehicle assistive technology, autonomy vs automation, cost, infrastructure, safety & liability, design challenges, and potential impact.
Conclusion: Specific gaps and needs were identified regarding barriers and facilitators for transportation accessibility and evidence-based guidance. These specific gaps can help to formulate design criteria for the communication between, the interior and exterior of accessible autonomous vehicles.
{"title":"Accessible autonomous transportation and services: a focus group study.","authors":"Sivashankar Sivakanthan, Rosemarie Cooper, Celia Lopes, Hailee Kulich, Nikitha Deepak, Chang Dae Lee, Hongwu Wang, Jorge L Candiotti, Brad E Dicianno, Alicia Koontz, Rory A Cooper","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2242898","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2242898","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Existing automated vehicle transportation guidelines and regulations have minimal guidance to address the specific needs of people with disabilities. Accessibility should be at the forefront to increase autonomy and independence for people with disabilities. The purpose of this research is to better understand potential facilitators and barriers to using accessible autonomous transportation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Focus groups were conducted with key stakeholders derived from people with disabilities (<i>n</i> = 5), travel companions/caregivers (<i>n</i> = 5), and transportation experts or designers (<i>n</i> = 11).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The themes include describing stakeholder perceptions across all three groups by identified themes: autonomous vehicle assistive technology, autonomy vs automation, cost, infrastructure, safety & liability, design challenges, and potential impact.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Specific gaps and needs were identified regarding barriers and facilitators for transportation accessibility and evidence-based guidance. These specific gaps can help to formulate design criteria for the communication between, the interior and exterior of accessible autonomous vehicles.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9943922","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}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2024.2362248
Alemu Kassaw Kibret, Tesfahun Melese Yilma, Theresa Claire Davies, Zelalem Alemayehu Genetu, Samuel Tesfaye Mekonone, Bruhtesfa Mouhabew Alene, Birhanu Mulat Addis, Kalkidan Nigussie, Rediet Getachew Ayele, Bilen Mekonnen Araya
Background: Disability influences activities of daily living, leading to unsafe conditions, poor quality of life, and dependence on others and assistive technologies. Despite limited access and unmet needs, assistive technology enables users to participate in education and be independent members of their community. Students with disabilities in higher education face many challenges in their day-to-day activities and evidence is limited in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to explore assistive technology experience and daily living challenges among students with disabilities in higher education.
Method: A descriptive qualitative study design was employed at the University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia, between December 20, 2022, and January 20, 2023. A purposive sampling method was employed to recruit 14 students with disabilities. An in-depth interview was employed using semi-structured questionnaires. Open Code version 4 software for coding and reflexive thematic analysis approach was employed for the analysis.
Result: A total of 14 students with disabilities were included in an in-depth interview. Four main themes emerged, which included activities of daily living, attitudes toward people with disabilities, barriers to accessibility, and access to assistive technology.
Conclusion: Barriers to activities of daily living among students with disabilities were poor accessibility of infrastructural facilities, lack of teaching/learning materials in an accessible format, and negative attitudes. The present study's finding is needed to support students in higher education for their academic achievement and to design appropriate rehabilitation strategies and policies on the accessibility of physical infrastructures, inclusive education, and the provision of assistive technology.
{"title":"Assistive technology and daily living challenges among students with disabilities at University of Gondar, Ethiopia: a qualitative study.","authors":"Alemu Kassaw Kibret, Tesfahun Melese Yilma, Theresa Claire Davies, Zelalem Alemayehu Genetu, Samuel Tesfaye Mekonone, Bruhtesfa Mouhabew Alene, Birhanu Mulat Addis, Kalkidan Nigussie, Rediet Getachew Ayele, Bilen Mekonnen Araya","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2362248","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2024.2362248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Disability influences activities of daily living, leading to unsafe conditions, poor quality of life, and dependence on others and assistive technologies. Despite limited access and unmet needs, assistive technology enables users to participate in education and be independent members of their community. Students with disabilities in higher education face many challenges in their day-to-day activities and evidence is limited in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to explore assistive technology experience and daily living challenges among students with disabilities in higher education.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A descriptive qualitative study design was employed at the University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia, between December 20, 2022, and January 20, 2023. A purposive sampling method was employed to recruit 14 students with disabilities. An in-depth interview was employed using semi-structured questionnaires. Open Code version 4 software for coding and reflexive thematic analysis approach was employed for the analysis.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>A total of 14 students with disabilities were included in an in-depth interview. Four main themes emerged, which included activities of daily living, attitudes toward people with disabilities, barriers to accessibility, and access to assistive technology.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Barriers to activities of daily living among students with disabilities were poor accessibility of infrastructural facilities, lack of teaching/learning materials in an accessible format, and negative attitudes. The present study's finding is needed to support students in higher education for their academic achievement and to design appropriate rehabilitation strategies and policies on the accessibility of physical infrastructures, inclusive education, and the provision of assistive technology.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141471597","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}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2024.2362895
Mine Celebi, Anika Cheng, Bonita Sawatzky, Johanne Mattie, Jaimie Borisoff, James J Laskin, W Ben Mortenson
Purpose: Wheelchair users experience many barriers to physical activity as affordable and accessible exercise equipment options are limited. Thus, the home-based adapted rower (aROW) and gym-based aROW were developed. The objectives were to determine: 1) wheelchair users' preferences, perspectives, facilitators, and barriers to using the home-based versus the gym-based aROW, 2) perceived usability of the home and gym aROWs, and 3) recommendations to adapt the aROW further for home and community use.
Materials and methods: In this two-phase exploratory mixed-methods study, participants completed one month of using a home aROW, followed by one month of using a community gym aROW. After each phase, participants completed a semi-structured interview and the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire. Interview data were analyzed using conventional content analysis and effect size comparing SUS data was calculated.
Results and conclusions: Four categories were identified: what worked well, barriers to using the aROWs, what could be improved and important considerations. There was a large effect size in perceived usability between the aROWs with participants preferring the home aROW. Overall, rowing was enjoyable, and participants achieved positive physical outcomes. As preferences are individual, the home aROW provides wheelchair users with a potential choice between home or gym exercise.
{"title":"Should I stay or should I go? An exploratory study comparing wheelchair-adapted rowing at home vs. in community gyms.","authors":"Mine Celebi, Anika Cheng, Bonita Sawatzky, Johanne Mattie, Jaimie Borisoff, James J Laskin, W Ben Mortenson","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2024.2362895","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2024.2362895","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Wheelchair users experience many barriers to physical activity as affordable and accessible exercise equipment options are limited. Thus, the home-based adapted rower (aROW) and gym-based aROW were developed. The objectives were to determine: 1) wheelchair users' preferences, perspectives, facilitators, and barriers to using the home-based versus the gym-based aROW, 2) perceived usability of the home and gym aROWs, and 3) recommendations to adapt the aROW further for home and community use.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this two-phase exploratory mixed-methods study, participants completed one month of using a home aROW, followed by one month of using a community gym aROW. After each phase, participants completed a semi-structured interview and the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire. Interview data were analyzed using conventional content analysis and effect size comparing SUS data was calculated.</p><p><strong>Results and conclusions: </strong>Four categories were identified: what worked well, barriers to using the aROWs, what could be improved and important considerations. There was a large effect size in perceived usability between the aROWs with participants preferring the home aROW. Overall, rowing was enjoyable, and participants achieved positive physical outcomes. As preferences are individual, the home aROW provides wheelchair users with a potential choice between home or gym exercise.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141471600","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}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2023-09-08DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2023.2253339
Bastien Fraudet, Emilie Leblong, Patrice Piette, Benoît Nicolas, Louise Devigne, Marie Babel, François Pasteau, François Routhier, Philippe Gallien
Purpose: In France, tens of thousands of people use a wheelchair. Driving powered wheelchairs (PWCs) present risks for users and their families. The risk of collision in PWC driver increases with severity of disability and may reduce their independence to drive. The European ADAPT project has developed a robotic assistance add-on for PWCs to prevent collisions and improve their driving performance.
Materials and methods: The aim of the SWADAPT2 study is to assess the benefit of this robotic assistance add-on arranged on a Standard Quickie Salsa M2 PWC in a population of PWC drivers with neurological disorders and driving difficulties. Eighteen (18) participants tested the system on three circuits of increasing difficulty, with and without the robotic assistance add-on.
Results: The benefit of the robotic assistance add-on was important especially on the more difficult circuits without impacting cognitive load or driving speed. The number of collisions was significantly reduced when using robotic assistance add-on from 2.16 to 0.36 on circuit 2 (p = 0.009) and from 7.3 to 1.33 on circuit 3 (p = 0.0009). Task load demand was not increased with the assistance.
Conclusion: Finally, this system seems to be indicated to assist and improve driving safety for PWC drivers in driving difficulty. Evaluation was performed in controlled environments; therefore, further evaluation in real-world scenarios is needed to reach technology readiness.
{"title":"SWADAPT2: benefits of a collision avoidance assistance for powered wheelchair users in driving difficulty.","authors":"Bastien Fraudet, Emilie Leblong, Patrice Piette, Benoît Nicolas, Louise Devigne, Marie Babel, François Pasteau, François Routhier, Philippe Gallien","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2253339","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2253339","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>In France, tens of thousands of people use a wheelchair. Driving powered wheelchairs (PWCs) present risks for users and their families. The risk of collision in PWC driver increases with severity of disability and may reduce their independence to drive. The European ADAPT project has developed a robotic assistance add-on for PWCs to prevent collisions and improve their driving performance.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The aim of the SWADAPT2 study is to assess the benefit of this robotic assistance add-on arranged on a Standard Quickie Salsa M2 PWC in a population of PWC drivers with neurological disorders and driving difficulties. Eighteen (18) participants tested the system on three circuits of increasing difficulty, with and without the robotic assistance add-on.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The benefit of the robotic assistance add-on was important especially on the more difficult circuits without impacting cognitive load or driving speed. The number of collisions was significantly reduced when using robotic assistance add-on from 2.16 to 0.36 on circuit 2 (<i>p</i> = 0.009) and from 7.3 to 1.33 on circuit 3 (<i>p</i> = 0.0009). Task load demand was not increased with the assistance.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Finally, this system seems to be indicated to assist and improve driving safety for PWC drivers in driving difficulty. Evaluation was performed in controlled environments; therefore, further evaluation in real-world scenarios is needed to reach technology readiness.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10183979","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}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2023-09-19DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2023.2257764
Areeba Khan, Mary Goldberg, Jonathan Pearlman, Lauren Terhorst
Purpose: Globally, one in three individuals needs at least one assistive product. The primary objective of this study was to conduct a survey of Pakistani rehabilitation service providers to determine what proportion provide assistive technology and if their characteristics (including geographical region, education, and experience) are associated with adherence to the service delivery process. The secondary objective was to determine if individuals that provide assistive technology adhere to a standard assistive technology service delivery process. The tertiary objective was to determine if the providers that adhered to a standard delivery process had characteristics that differed from the rest of the service providers.
Materials and methods: An online survey composed of multiple-choice questions was distributed to physiotherapists, community-based healthcare workers, and related rehabilitation professions through a convenience sampling method. SPSS Statistics was used to develop correlation matrices to determine Pearson's coefficient of number of steps, education level, experience level and continuing education received.
Results: There were 71 respondents from 4 Pakistani provinces. 53.5% of respondents stated they provide assistive technology. There was participation in most steps of the service delivery process. There is weak correlation between number of steps and education level, number of steps and experience level, and number of steps and continuing education received.
Conclusions: While the majority of respondents provide assistive technology, a significant proportion (46.5%) don't. This may suggest there is a need for additional advocacy and awareness raising of the benefits of and how to access assistive technology in Pakistan.
{"title":"Evaluation of providers' assistive technology service delivery practices in Pakistan.","authors":"Areeba Khan, Mary Goldberg, Jonathan Pearlman, Lauren Terhorst","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2257764","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17483107.2023.2257764","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Globally, one in three individuals needs at least one assistive product. The primary objective of this study was to conduct a survey of Pakistani rehabilitation service providers to determine what proportion provide assistive technology and if their characteristics (including geographical region, education, and experience) are associated with adherence to the service delivery process. The secondary objective was to determine if individuals that provide assistive technology adhere to a standard assistive technology service delivery process. The tertiary objective was to determine if the providers that adhered to a standard delivery process had characteristics that differed from the rest of the service providers.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>An online survey composed of multiple-choice questions was distributed to physiotherapists, community-based healthcare workers, and related rehabilitation professions through a convenience sampling method. SPSS Statistics was used to develop correlation matrices to determine Pearson's coefficient of number of steps, education level, experience level and continuing education received.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 71 respondents from 4 Pakistani provinces. 53.5% of respondents stated they provide assistive technology. There was participation in most steps of the service delivery process. There is weak correlation between number of steps and education level, number of steps and experience level, and number of steps and continuing education received.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While the majority of respondents provide assistive technology, a significant proportion (46.5%) don't. This may suggest there is a need for additional advocacy and awareness raising of the benefits of and how to access assistive technology in Pakistan.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41134729","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}