Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology最新文献

Purpose: Digital marketing presents an innovative opportunity to advance accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities worldwide through enabling entrepreneurship, disability-inclusive digital marketing practices, and improved promotion of existing solutions. This commentary uses Thailand as an illustrative case study to examine global challenges, while drawing out broader international implications for digital marketing's role in promoting equal rights and economic empowerment and contributing to mainstreaming disability inclusion.

Materials and methods: This commentary draws focus to Thailand as a representative case study of the challenges faced globally. It applies the three strategic priority areas of the United Nations' Disability Inclusive Development Strategy as a lens to examine the role of digital marketing in advancing accessibility and inclusion.

Results: This work identifies exemplary accessibility challenges for people with disabilities in Thailand that mirror global patterns, and explores potential opportunities that leverage digital marketing to address those challenges with transferable applications to international contexts.

Conclusion: This is a call to action aiming to inspire more research about the value-added role of digital marketing for this population globally, and to push for greater integration of co-design and ethics- and human rights-based approaches in this space to best incorporate, consider, and understand the perspectives of people with disabilities worldwide.

Purpose: Recent developments in additive manufacturing have made possible the fabrication of custom clinical devices like wheelchair cushions that are tuneable, comfortable, and capable of achieving pressure offloading to reduce the risk of pressure injuries developing. However, no published research has demonstrated that 3D printed cushions have equivalent performance to their traditionally manufactured counterparts, which is a requisite first step towards this vision. To address this gap, this paper compares a variable stiffness 3D printed thermoplastic polyurethane gyroid wheelchair cushion with a conventional multilayered foam cushion.

Materials and methods: The cushion was designed and printed in four sections, enabling the use of consumer grade 3D printers. The 3D printed cushion was designed with varying stiffness regions to offload pressure. Twenty-one healthy adult subjects (11 men, 10 women, age range 19-48 years, mean weight 76 kg) sat on both cushions in a blind study. Participants completed a comfort survey and cushion temperature was measured using infrared thermography. Pressure mapping data was collected for three additional subjects to compare peak contact pressure and pressure distribution across cushions.

Results: The 3D printed and foam cushions performed equally in terms of comfort, pressure, and temperature. Notably, participants were unable to identify a difference in them when seated. Contact pressure measurements were similar across both cushion types. The 3D printed cushion was significantly cheaper and able to be customised to a specific patient at little additional cost.

Conclusions: It was concluded that 3D printed cushion can match the performance of an existing standard of care cushion. This provides the foundation for future development of personalised 3D printed cushions offering significant advances in affordability, comfort, and pressure reduction, for wheelchair users.

Background: While studies have focused on challenges facing HEIs in promoting the use of assistive technology, scant studies have investigated the role of HEI management, the use, perception, acceptance and benefits of assistive technology for SWDs. This study explored the use of assistive technology among SWDs in HEIs in Tanzania, citing the role of HEI management, use, perception, acceptance and benefits of assistive technology to SWDs.

Materials and methods: The study employed a qualitative approach with a consideration of case study design. Using purposeful sampling, the study considered a sample of 46 participants from the University of Dar es Salaam. Data were collected using interviews, observation, focus group discussions and documentary reviews. Data were analysed through a thematic analysis approach.

Findings: There is a growing trend in the use of assistive technology by SWD in HEIs. The use of assistive technology has promoted positive perception, interest and acceptance by SWDs. Assistive technologies were used by SWDs to access information, communication, and expression; access study materials; clear recording of lecture instructions; navigate documents; and share information. However, poor perception among students without disabilities of the use of assistive technology devices affected SWDs acceptance and distorted their perception regarding assistive technology. Also, limited training among SWDs on assistive technology hindered their effective use.

Conclusion: While there is a promising trend of the use of assistive technology among SWDs in HEIs, it is affected by non-disabled students' perceptions of assistive technology tools and limited training for SWDs on the use of devices.

Purpose: Three-dimensional (3D) scanning has become an essential tool across multiple disciplines; however, accessibility remains limited for individuals unable to stand. Capturing human morphology in different postures is crucial for accurate anthropometric analysis and product development. This study aimed to develop an inclusive solution that enables the three-dimensional digitisation of seated individuals, including those with physical disabilities and wheelchair users.

Materials and methods: The research followed the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology combined with Löbach's product design model and an inclusive design framework. The orthopositioning device was developed through iterative modelling, mock-ups and both physical and digital simulations. The final prototype was evaluated with seven participants, including one wheelchair user. Data were acquired using a low-cost Kinect 360 infra-red scanner, and the resulting meshes were analysed visually and morphologically to assess completeness and accuracy.

Results: The study led to the creation of an orthopositioning device that enables 3D scanning in multiple postures, seated, prone, or supinem, with arms and legs either flexed or extended. The transparent acrylic structure prevents occlusions and ensures full-body visibility, overcoming limitations of conventional seating systems. Functional validation confirmed comprehensive coverage (over 90% of the body surface) and high morphological fidelity.

Conclusion: The inclusive design of the proposed device broadens access to digital anthropometry and product design research by enabling accurate 3D digitisation of diverse user populations, especially individuals with mobility impairments.

Background: A manual wheelchair is an essential assistive device for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, long-term use typically requires repetitive forward pushing on the pushrims, which overuses anterior upper-body muscles and contributes to shoulder muscle imbalance and pain. To address these issues, a detachable two-way propulsion system was developed to allow both pushing and pulling movements, with the pulling method designed to enhance posterior muscle activation.

Methods: Electromyography (EMG) was performed on eight upper-body muscles in eight older adults with SCI (mean age: 68.7 years) to compare muscle activation patterns between the pushing and pulling propulsion methods.

Results: The pulling method elicited significantly greater activation in the latissimus dorsi (p = 0.008), middle deltoid (p = 0.008), triceps brachii (p = 0.008), and upper trapezius (p = 0.008). Conversely, the pushing method resulted in significantly greater activation of the anterior deltoid (p = 0.008) and pectoralis major (p = 0.039).

Discussion: The findings show that the pulling method effectively engages key posterior muscles while reducing reliance on anterior muscles. This redistribution of muscular workload suggests that the pulling method may help alleviate shoulder muscle imbalance and pain commonly experienced by older adults with SCI who rely on manual wheelchairs for daily mobility.

Purpose: Employment determinants remain a critical yet under-researched factor in the social participation and inclusion of individuals with mobility impairments who use powered mobility devices (PWSMD). This systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis aims to evaluate employment rates and identify factors influencing employment among PWSMD users.

Methods: One- and two-stage meta-analyses were conducted, assessing employment status in relation to demographic, health-related and environmental factors. Random-effects models were used to account for between-study heterogeneity. Quality assessment was performed with tools for evidence synthesis provided by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). The PRISMA criteria were followed in the review.

Results: A systematic search of CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases conducted up to February 2025 identified 19 eligible studies encompassing 443 participants. 46.6% of participants were working at higher rates associated with tertiary education, pre-existing employment, vocational rehabilitation and PWSMD use of more than 10 years. Higher employment rates were also observed in participants younger than 60 years and those with childhood onset disability. No significant correlations were observed with sex, marital status, or residential setting.

Conclusion: Higher levels of education, longer duration of PWSMD use, younger age, pre-existing employment and participation in vocational rehabilitation are associated with an increased likelihood of employment among PWSMD users. Sex, marital status and settlement type may not have an impact on employment. Further research is needed to determine most beneficial aspects of vocational rehabilitation and to explore the relationship between disability duration and employment in specific diagnostic groups.

Objectives: This study seeks to evaluate the usability of the Gaming Adaptation, Modification and Experience Tool (the GAME Tool), a survey that gathers information on individuals' gaming interests, current equipment use, challenges they encounter, and personal goals when participating in digital gaming.

Methods: This study employed a phenomenological qualitative design to investigate the impressions of a convenience sample of rehabilitation and assistive technology providers who have used the GAME Tool. Volunteers were recruited from professional listservs and networks. Participants were included if they anticipated addressing digital gaming as an intervention, were able to participate in a 30-minute virtual training, were willing to use the GAME Tool with a client, and were able to complete a web survey.

Impact: Nine participants enrolled and seven participants completed the feedback survey (77.8% response rate). Narrative responses were analysed and themes were identified. All 7 participants remarked positively about the brevity and structure of the tool, 5 participants remarked positively about collecting data on why the client is interested in gaming and 4 participants remarked positively about tracking client-centred goals. Constructive feedback was provided by individual respondents critiquing the gaming terminology used, the emphasis on client deficits, and noting the limited space available for written responses. Two respondents shared a negative impression of goal setting and tracking for measuring outcomes. This analysis suggests that the GAME Tool may be valuable for practitioners in understanding the meaning and purpose of digital gaming for the patients and clients they support.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore child and caregiver (CG) satisfaction including their perceived benefits and barriers to modified ride-on car (MROC) use via a phenomenological qualitative research approach. Materials and methods: Six families received MROCs from a local GoBabyGo program and were instructed to use their MROC at least 1 h per week for 8 weeks. Following the study period, 4 child participants (3 years, 5 months to 4 years, 5 months) and 6 caregivers participated in semi-structured interviews about their lived experiences using MROCs. The data were analysed through open coding and content analysis qualitative approach. Results: Analysis revealed the overarching theme, satisfaction/"it's so cool!" The theme of benefits included subthemes of (1) "on his/her own," (2) "more freedom," (3) social/cognitive changes, with categories of peer engagement and "smiles the whole time," (4) individualisation of the MROC, and (5) other likes by adults. The theme of barriers included subthemes of (1) equipment issues, (2) driving on uneven terrain, and (3) need for adult supervision/assistance. Conclusion: This study provided details of the value of MROCs from the child's and caregiver's perspectives, which helps clinicians understand satisfaction and the physical and social/cognitive benefits and barriers of MROC use that are most important to young children with mobility challenges and their caregivers.

Purpose: Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has been shown to support communication and quality of life for persons with aphasia (PWA), yet its use in Jordan remains underexplored. This mixed-methods study aimed to investigate the perspectives of Jordanian speech-language pathologists (SLPs) towards the use of AAC for PWA.

Materials and methods: Phase 1 involved a nationwide survey of 142 SLPs, with 101 responses analysed descriptively. Phase 2 of the study comprised two focus group discussions with 10 SLPs whose caseloads predominantly included PWA.

Results: From Phase 1 of the study, it was noted that only 18.8% of respondents had introduced AAC to PWA, most commonly via mobile applications and gestures. While the majority believed AAC to be beneficial, some SLPs continued to have misconceptions about AAC. Qualitative content analysis of the transcripts from the focus group discussions revealed three themes, which were: (i) views about AAC, (ii) challenges faced when using AAC, and (iii) hopes for the future.

Conclusion: Jordanian SLPs expressed a strong interest in learning more about AAC and called for its inclusion in pre-service education and ongoing professional development. Findings highlight the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate AAC resources, caregiver training, and professional capacity building to promote AAC adoption in Jordan.