Assistive Technology最新文献

This collaborative autoethnography explores the lived experiences of Heba Bashir, a certified prosthetist, orthotist, and physiotherapist working in the Gaza Strip amid ongoing conflict. Through reflective narratives and critical incident analyses, Heba reveals the emotional, ethical, and professional challenges faced in delivering prosthetic and orthotic care under extreme conditions. Themes of ethical dilemmas, emotional exhaustion, resilience, and balancing professional duties with personal and familial obligations emerge strongly. The study highlights critical gaps in the sustainability of humanitarian aid approaches related to prosthetic and orthotic services in Gaza and advocates for greater consideration of implementation realities. Heba's story underscores the resilience of prosthetic, orthotic and rehabilitation professionals and the urgent need for sustained global support for trauma rehabilitation services in conflict-affected regions.

This study explores the perspectives of teachers of students with visual impairments regarding screen reader instruction and summarizes their experiences in teaching screen readers. A total of 301 teachers of students with visual impairments were included in this analysis. A descriptive research design was employed, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data. Open-ended responses were analyzed using summative content analysis, while descriptive statistics were used to summarize quantitative findings. The study reveals several barriers to the use and teaching of screen readers. The results support a greater need for further studies about the use of screen readers, such as financial support, pre- and in-service training, more interaction with screen readers at home and in the classroom, standardized instruments for teachers of students with visual impairments, screen reader training for preschoolers, and collaboration with parents and general education teachers.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often involves motor and visual perceptual challenges that affect daily functioning. Traditional occupational therapy (TOT) is commonly used to address these difficulties, and virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising supplementary intervention. This study investigated the effects of VR combined with TOT on motor and visual perceptual skills in children with ADHD. In a single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 60 children aged 7-12 years were assigned to an intervention group (VR + TOT) or a control group (TOT only), recruited from a university hospital pediatric clinic. The VR program included five games targeting motor and visual perceptual skills, delivered twice weekly for eight weeks. Outcomes were measured using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition-Brief Form (BOT2-BF) and the Motor-Free Visual Perception Test, Fourth Edition (MVPT-4). Compared with controls, the VR group showed significant improvements in fine motor precision (F(1,58) = 16.49, p < 0.001, η² = 0.221), balance (F(1,58) = 6.49, p = 0.014, η²=0.101), figure-ground perception (F(1,58) = 38.49, p < 0.001, η² = 0.399), and visual memory (F(1,58) = 17.62, p < 0.001, η² = 0.233). Large effect sizes suggest meaningful added benefits of VR. Further research should examine long-term outcomes and adaptations across ages and ADHD severity.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that highly impacts the sensory, cognitive, and motor abilities of people affected by it. Impairments in the upper-limb limit the ability to perform everyday tasks, thus leading to loss of independency. In this context, a proper rehabilitative intervention should take into account the complexity of the disease and adapt to people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Wearable robotic systems offer potential solutions to address such challenges. In particular, exosuits hold the potential to gently adapt to the user's movements while providing assistance in performing a task. This review explores the potential of exosuits in supporting upper-limb function in PwMS, critically examining their benefits and limitations in terms of wearability, user experience, and alignment with MS-specific clinical symptoms. A preliminary SWOT analysis is also presented to identify key Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats associated with the adoption of these technologies, laying the groundwork for future research and development in this field. The findings of this review underscore the need for additional clinical trials specifically involving PwMS to draw robust conclusions on the usability and effectiveness of exosuits; nonetheless, their potential impact remains promising.

Virtual travel therapy (VTT) devices have yielded encouraging results as a non-drug therapy for improving behavioral disorders in patients with Alzheimer's disease or related conditions. However, no data are available concerning the real-life use of these VTT devices in long-term care facilities (LTCF) and their efficacy in this population. We conducted a survey of all LTCF equipped with VTT devices. A questionnaire was designed and dedicated on the characteristics of the LTCF. A part focused on the last 10 residents to have made use of the VTT device. Efficacy was assessed with the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS), the QUALIDEM quality-of-life score and a subjective assessment before and after the session. Fifteen LTCF responded (62%). Six LTCF provided data for 35 residents using the VTT device. The subjective evaluation and the HAS and QUALIDEM scores revealed a positive effect of the VTT device. This is the first multicentre study to present subjective and objective data demonstrating the efficacy of VTT devices in LTCF residents suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and presenting behavioral disorders. This device was appreciated by the various health professionals working in these LTCF, who were able to use it routinely, confirming its value in this population.

Shoulder pain is a common concern among wheelchair users and may be influenced by adaptive sports. Although participation in adaptive sports is increasing, limited research has examined shoulder pain in this population. This cross-sectional survey investigated the prevalence and severity of shoulder pain and explored associations with demographic factors, activity patterns, and management strategies among 61 wheelchair rugby athletes in the United States. The Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI) measured pain, with an average score of 56.08 (performance-corrected score (PC-WUSPI) = 58.13), reflecting high levels of shoulder pain. Significant negative correlations (ps < 0.001) were found between PC-WUSPI scores and years of wheelchair use (r = -0.48), adaptive sports participation (r = -0.47), warm-up frequency (r = -0.53), and shoulder strength training (r = -0.34). A positive correlation was observed with power wheelchair use (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). Most participants managed shoulder pain with medication (67.2%) or exercise (57.4%), with medication rated as more effective. The most common medical services utilized for pain management were physical therapy (54.1%), occupational therapy (44.3%), and primary care physicians (41%). Findings highlight the need for targeted prevention and rehabilitation strategies to address shoulder pain in wheelchair rugby athletes, emphasizing proactive conditioning and multidisciplinary approaches.

This study investigates the impact of stroke sequelae and cognitive dysfunctions on cognitive skills, highlighting challenges associated with traditional rehabilitation approaches. Commonly used methods such as board games and paper-based exercises may inadequately address individual patient dysfunctions and often lack structured digital interaction. Building upon previous work, this research focuses on the usability of RehbBrain, a serious-gaming platform designed to support cognitive rehabilitation. The platform includes 42 serious games that simulate daily activities across various settings and offer progressive difficulty levels. In the study, no comparison of clinical efficacy or rehabilitation outcomes with traditional methods was performed. For the first time, usability evaluations, including the System Usability Scale (SUS) and direct patient observation, were conducted with a cohort of eleven patients with cognitive dysfunction. The mean SUS score of 72.95 corresponds to a "Good" level of usability, indicating a positive user experience. Direct patient feedback and observational data were collected to identify interaction challenges and areas for improvement. These findings inform future usability-driven refinements of the platform; however, no conclusions regarding therapeutic effectiveness, assessment standardization, or clinical outcomes are drawn. RehbBrain demonstrates potential as a usable digital tool to support cognitive rehabilitation workflows, warranting further investigation in future studies.

Early powered mobility offers opportunities for autonomy and participation in children with severe motor impairments, but its impact in spinal muscular atrophy type I (SMA I) remains poorly understood. This randomized, waiting-list controlled trial investigated the effects of early powered mobility training using modified-ride-on cars on participation, social-cognitive skills, and family outcomes in infants and young children with SMA I. The final analysis included 9 children in the experimental group and 7 in the control group. The experimental group received 12 weeks of structured powered mobility training, while the control group received usual care. Participation was assessed with the Young Children's Participation and Environment Measure (YC-PEM), powered mobility learning with the Assessment of Learning Powered Mobility Use (ALP), and cognition with standardized developmental scores. Results showed small but progressive improvements in home participation in the experimental group, with effect sizes reaching the small-to-moderate range, whereas no significant changes were observed in community participation. Correlation analyses indicated moderate-to-strong associations between mobility learning and home participation at follow-up, while cognitive scores were not consistently related to participation outcomes. These findings support the feasibility and clinical relevance of integrating powered mobility in early intervention programs for SMA I to enhance participation in natural contexts.

The Tennessee Technology Access Program (TTAP) provides device loans, demonstrations, and reutilizations for individuals with disabilities and relevant personnel, such as special education teachers, in Tennessee. Yet, the literature suggests that special education teachers have limited knowledge and skills in assistive technology. Thus, this study assessed special education teachers' awareness and use of their assistive technology program in Tennessee and their access to district-based assistive technology personnel, equipment, and training. A sample of 27 special education teachers self-reported their awareness and use of TTAP and their access to assistive technology resources within their districts. Most special education teachers reported they were not aware of TTAP, and they had not used its services. They also reported experiencing specific barriers to accessing assistive technology resources due to limited time and lack of clarity on TTAP's service provisions. Most participants also reported a lack of access to assistive technology personnel, equipment, and training in their districts. Overall, Tennessee special education teachers did not have access to assistive technology resources in their districts and were not using TTAP. Recommendations are made for increasing the awareness, use, and access of assistive technology resources in Tennessee.

Assistive technology (AT) enhances functional independence and quality of life for many people with disabilities. 3D printing allows for the creation of highly customizable devices that can be tailored to specific user needs. This review provides an overview of the state of the science around functional outcomes associated with 3D-printed AT. We performed a systematic review of 3D-printed AT outcomes through database searching of MEDLINE, Embase.com, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Explore, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov. From screening 1059 records, we included 40 studies for extraction. The studies were assessed for risk of bias using the ROBINS-I tool, with 37 studies receiving a sufficient rating to be included in this review. Results indicated that satisfaction, lower extremity biomechanics, and psychosocial outcomes were predominantly positive for 3D-printed devices; however, findings for upper extremity biomechanics and function were mixed. Of the 37 studies included, 32 (86%) were level III evidence or lower. This review underscores the need for more rigorous, patient-centered clinical trials focusing on functional outcomes to guide evidence-based decision-making in the AT field.