Assistive Technology最新文献

The share of construction trade jobs held by women and people with disabilities has remained stubbornly low in the face of chronic shortages of skilled labor. This study explores the potential of wearable assistive technologies to reduce these disparities. We use U.S. worker-level data to estimate employment and wage differences by gender and by mobility/strength impairments in construction and non-construction jobs. We also use occupational-level data to examine variations in workforce composition, physical skill requirements, and earnings across detailed construction occupations. Regression estimates indicate that being a woman and having strength and mobility impairments are associated with substantial employment and pay gaps in construction compared to non-construction jobs. Further analysis shows a high negative correlation between the representation of women and the ability levels required in those occupations. Finally, we discuss several wearable exoskeletons under development for people with upper-body and lower-body impairments, focusing on how these innovations could be integrated into construction jobs. These findings suggest that wearable exoskeletons that enhance manual dexterity, balance, and strength may improve the representation of women and people with disabilities in some of the higher-paying occupations in construction.

To live actively, some older adults require stimulation, learning, or assistance in their interactions, particularly in presence of diminished abilities. Socially interactive agents (SIA) are promising to foster their participation, but research on this innovation has not been synthesized. This scoping review aims to integrate knowledge of SIAs fostering older adults' social participation. Arksey and O'Malley's method was used to search in nine electronic databases. Published mainly after 2019 (43; 70.5%), 61 studies were selected, most using mixed methods (29; 40.3%), and with authors from North America (20; 32.8%). Three primary purposes of SIA were identified: 1) acting as a daily companion, 2) facilitating social interactions, and 3) providing stimulating and entertaining. Personal and environmental factors influence the implementation and use of SIAs with older adults. Abilities (i.e. physical, intellectual and behavioral) play a key role, while physical environment (e.g. technology, housing) had a more significant influence than social aspects (e.g. sociocultural). Fun and practical functionalities of SIAs also influenced participation. SIAs helped older adults to maintain social connections and participate actively. This study sheds new light on best practices to support interventions with assistive technology and the implementation and use of SIAs to foster social participation in older adults.

Clinicians may have difficulty in selecting Chopart prosthesis. We aimed to compare patients with traumatic Chopart amputation using high-profile prostheses with those using silicone prostheses in terms of satisfaction level, cause of dissatisfaction, difficulty on different terrains, pain severity, and quality of life (QoL). Twenty-four patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the participants' intact limb pain, residual limb pain, and low back pain. The reason for prosthesis dissatisfaction was asked as an open-ended question. The QoL assessment was performed using the Short Form 36 (SF-36). The severity of low back pain (p = 0.020) and residual limb pain (p = 0.024) were lower in the group using silicone prosthesis compared to the other group. SF-36 physical function (p = 0.007), role limitations due to physical health issues (p = 0.032) and emotional health (p = 0.024) subscale scores were higher in the group using silicone prosthesis than in the group using high-profile prosthesis. Patients using silicone prostheses reported less residual limb pain and lower back pain and higher quality of life aspects of physical functioning and emotional health than patients using high-profile prostheses. Further prospective clinical studies are needed to compare the effects of these two prostheses.

This study investigates factors influencing assistive technology (AT) adoption in special education using logistic regression analysis of data from 702 special education teachers in Taiwan. The analysis focused on teacher experience, classroom type, and student disability categories as predictors of AT use. Findings show that mobility aids had the highest utilization rate (91.5%), followed by communication (69.8%) and positioning aids (58.0%). Teachers with over 10 years of experience (OR = 1.486) and those in self-contained classrooms (OR = 1.472) are more likely to adopt AT. Student disabilities also strongly influence AT use, with mobility aids linked to physical disabilities (OR = 1.355) and communication devices more common for intellectual and emotional disabilities (OR = 1.400). Teachers' willingness to adopt AT depended on ease of use and paraprofessional support, and a strong positive correlation was found between AT adoption and teaching effectiveness. These results highlight the importance of targeted professional development and equitable resource allocation to support AT integration and improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities.

Children with neuromotor disorders often experience hand impairments that limit independence in daily tasks as well as the acquisition of new skills. Robotic aids like hand exoskeletons can improve function, but many designs fail to meet user needs, reducing adoption. This study collected parental feedback to guide the development of user-centered hand exoskeletons. An anonymous online survey was distributed to the parents of children with neurological disorders and previously treated at IRCCS E. Medea - Associazione "La Nostra Famiglia" in Bosisio Parini, Italy. Only parents of children with upper limb impairments were invited to answer. The survey explored their perceptions of hand exoskeletons, focusing on functional needs, user-friendliness, and training expectations. A total of forty-six surveys were completed, of which three were incomplete and therefore excluded. Of the forty-three considered, 76.3% expressed interest in a hand exoskeleton for their child, identifying dressing, hygiene, and eating as key activities to address. Key issues in the development of an exoskeleton for the parents were weight, comfort, associated aesthetics and trust. User feedback emphasizes the need for comfortable, lightweight designs with aesthetic appeal to reduce stigma. Parents prioritized functional benefits for daily activities over recreational use.

Over the past few years, several prosthetic solutions have been produced using Additive Manufacturing (AM). e-NABLE community has been developing these devices, which, despite low cost, are often uncomfortable, less functional and aesthetically unpleasing. This study aimed to develop a functional and anthropomorphic body-powered transhumeral device by redesigning an e-NABLE prosthesis, combining rigid and flexible materials. The process involved analyzing a clinical case of an 8-year-old girl with a transhumeral malformation, assessing her needs and anatomy through measurements and 3D scanning. Testimonies from children with similar conditions and healthcare professionals were also gathered. In the design stage, multiple prototypes were created using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software and 3D printing, and then tested for performance and resistance. Additionally, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was performed to study the device's behavior, while an ongoing study focused on identifying optimal materials. The final prosthesis weighs 400 g, balancing affordability, comfort, aesthetics and functionality, despite some limitations. The terminal device fully closes, requiring between 85.3 N and 163.2 N of force, powered by the amputee's shoulder movements. It performs shoulder internal/external rotation, elbow flexion/extension and forearm supination/pronation. While it can support a maximum load of at least 0.9 kg, maintaining a grip remains a challenge.

The aim of the study was to analyze and compare data obtained from different types of microprocessor-controlled knee prostheses that failed in amputated people with transfemoral and knee disarticulation. The medical records of adult amputees whose microprocessor-controlled knee joint prosthesis failed were reviewed. The Genium X3 had a statistically significant higher daily prosthesis use time than the Plié 2.0 and Plié 3.0 groups (p = 0.033), Orion (p = 0.009) and C-Leg 3 (p = 0.017). Patients who used the Orion, C-Leg 4, Plié 2.0 and Plié 3.0 prostheses had a statistically significantly longer duration of use of the current prosthesis than those who used the Genium, and patients who used the C-Leg 3 had a statistically significantly longer duration of use than those who used the Genium X3 (p = 0.023, p = 0.042, p = 0.010, p = 0.018, respectively). There was a statistically significant correlation between current age and time since amputation and duration of current prosthesis use (p = 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively) (r = 0.315, r = 0.364, respectively). There was a significant correlation between time since amputation and daily prosthesis use time (p = 0.015, r = -0.253). In adult transfemoral and disarticulated knee people with amputations, daily prosthesis use time decreases and current prosthesis use time increases with increasing amputation duration.

Education is rapidly evolving, especially with the growth of online learning during the pandemic. As this transformation continues, it's crucial to ensure that students with visual disabilities are not left behind due to accessibility barriers. The lack of built in accessibility features in web pages and applications underscores the importance of integrating such considerations into their design. This paper presents a web application designed to assist individuals with visual disabilities and low vision by transliterating Indian languages, including Bengali, Odia, Hindi, English, and Telugu, into their respective Braille scripts. The key features of the application include text based input, voice based navigation, multilingual voice input, shortcut keys for major functionalities, low vision support, and compatibility with Braille embossing. We also reviewed existing Braille transliteration tools and highlighted the interactive accessibility features integrated into our web application. We have also shared insights from initial cross browser compatibility tests, user testing, and preliminary user evaluations. Our goal is to empower individuals with visual disabilities to access online educational content in Braille across multiple Indian languages, thereby fostering inclusivity in learning environments and supporting special educators in delivering accessible resources.

Flatfoot is a common condition characterized by a low foot arch, causing pain and discomfort. Foot orthoses are commonly used to alleviate these symptoms. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of 465 documents from the Scopus database using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny tools to identify research trends and future directions in foot orthosis for flatfoot treatment. The research is grouped into five main clusters: orthopedic and surgical procedures, patient demographics, biomechanics and physical assessments, advanced technologies in orthosis development, and clinical research. Key keywords include flatfoot, foot orthosis, female, adult, and biomechanics. The United States leads the publication output with 392 articles, followed by China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea. Future research should focus on new materials for orthoses, optimizing designs for better foot biomechanics, and incorporating advanced technologies such as 3D printing and computer simulations to enhance production. The study also calls for more research on patient-specific treatments, considering gender and demographic differences. Furthermore, controlled clinical trials are essential for evaluating long-term effectiveness and patient outcomes. Addressing these research gaps will improve foot orthosis design, manufacturing, and clinical application, enhancing treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.

The purpose of this RESNA position paper on assistive technology for lying posture care management (LPCM) serves to align academic research and clinical best practices. Lying posture, although critical in postural care, is under-addressed in both policy and clinical settings to assist practitioners in decision-making and justification of LPCM recommendations. The Position Paper frames LPCM within the 24-hour posture care management (PCM) model, highlighting its role in preventing body shape distortions, reducing health complications, and enhancing participation for individuals with limited mobility.