Assistive Technology最新文献

There are no existing guidelines for healthcare teams to evaluate rehabilitation technology and maximize its use in neurologic rehabilitation. By incorporating rehabilitation technologies into neurorehabilitation, therapists can bridge the gap between research and feasible client-centered interventions. Technology use can facilitate evidence-based practice that reflects recent trends in neurorehabilitation. Integration of rehabilitation technology is heavily dependent on the consideration of the barriers to technological adoption at both the organizational level and clinical level. The purpose of this commentary is to describe a theory-driven, systematic process with consideration of facilitators and barriers to technological uptake in neurorehabilitation. This process considers the views of multiple stakeholders to evaluate technology in rehabilitation and make cost-effective decisions, maximize available interventions, prevent technological abandonment, and integrate evidenced-based interventions for neurorehabilitation best practice.

Individuals with tetraplegia rely on assistive devices to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and enhance independence. This review evaluates their effectiveness and user acceptance for supporting independence. A systematic literature search was conducted across seven databases from September 2004-2024 (PROSPERO: CRD42022370351). Studies evaluating assistive devices in experimental or real-world settings with individuals with tetraplegia that reported performance (task achievement) and perception (user experience) outcomes were included. Risk of bias was assessed with the Downs and Black checklist modified for nonintervention studies. From 1,670 initial records, 34 articles met inclusion criteria, involving 366 participants. Robotic arms, wearable exoskeletons, computer interfaces, powered wheelchairs, and functional electrical stimulation systems demonstrated varying effectiveness. Performance outcomes were often task-specific, and perception depended on ease of use, comfort, and adaptability. Few studies measured impact on quality of life or long-term adoption. Invasive technologies showed promising results but faced adoption barriers related to complexity and aesthetics. Heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis. While some assistive technologies improve independence, better usability and customization are needed for wider adoption. Technologies must offer substantial improvements to justify adaptation efforts. Reporting should be clearer and more standardized to facilitate comparison. Demographic biases (overrepresentation of spinal cord injury, global north, and males) limited generalizability.

Immersive virtual reality (VR) delivered through a head-mounted device is an emerging rehabilitation modality for Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous reviews investigated VR-based intervention; none specifically focused on head-mounted display-based virtual reality rehabilitation (head-mounted VRehab). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of head-mounted VRehab on balance, gait, motor and cognitive function, and quality of life in individuals with PD, compared with conventional therapy (CT) or baseline outcomes. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched through June 2025. Studies included individuals with PD, applied a head-mounted VRehab lasting ≥3 weeks, and reported pre-post or comparative outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane RoB-2 tool for RCTs and the JBI checklist for non-RCTs. Eleven studies (n = 278 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of RCTs; head-mounted VRehab significantly improved quality of life (PDQ-39) compared with CT. Pre-post pooled analysis demonstrated significant improvement in Tinetti balance and gait and TUG dual-task, while no significant pooled effects were observed for TUG and UPDRS-III. Individual studies also reported improvements in static balance, gait endurance, and upper-limb function. Head-mounted VRehab enhances quality of life, balance, gait, and cognitive-motor function in PD, warranting further rigorous RCTs.PROSPERO Registration No: CRD42024611662 https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails.

Assistive technology(AT) presents potential for the improvement of public health and the achievement of fundamental human rights, however the use and access to AT, especially in Latin American Countries is still a neglected field of research and practice. This study aims to systematically review the evidence on access to Assistive Technology and related services in Latin American Countries. Literature was searched in 5 web-based databases (EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, LILACS and PUDMED). Studies carried out in Latin American countries addressing AT and its related services were included. The 33 included articles were primarily focused on service delivery, assistive device outcome and satisfaction, with only a few projects focusing on AT design, evaluation, provision and training. While some assistive devices (e.g. hearing aids, mobility aids, vision aids) are available in Latin American Countries, other aids designed to prevent impairment, disability, and other health outcomes, such as cognitive and augmentative communication devices, have received little attention. Despite the availability of some assistive devices, significant barriers to access persist, including limited awareness, insufficient training for professionals, and a lack of systematic, equitable approaches to provision.

Hyperkyphosis, defined as excessive forward thoracic curvature, is associated with pain, impaired balance, increased fall risk, and reduced quality of life in older adults. Spinal orthoses have been proposed as a therapeutic option. This systematic review evaluated their effects on pain, kyphosis angle, balance, fall risk, and quality of life. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024607584) and followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Comprehensive searches of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library up to November 2024 identified 16 eligible studies involving 757 participants and 13 orthosis types. Inclusion criteria covered clinical trials, cohort, cross-sectional, and observational studies in adults ≥60 years with hyperkyphosis, while surgical, pharmacological, and non-hyperkyphotic studies were excluded. Data were synthesized qualitatively, with balance outcomes classified as static or dynamic, and orthoses categorized by design and function. Risk of bias was assessed using PEDro and ROBINS-I. Findings suggest spinal orthoses, particularly semi-rigid devices, may reduce kyphosis angle, alleviate pain, enhance balance, and improve quality of life. Nonetheless, heterogeneity, limited blinding, and non-randomized designs reduce certainty. Further high-quality trials are warranted to strengthen evidence. No funding was received.

Previous research found that occupational therapy practitioners desired more training in assistive technology. This study provides further evidence on which assistive technology categories should be included in the education of occupational therapists in the United States, based on the practice setting. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling and were included if they were certified occupational therapists practicing in the United States. A quantitative survey method was utilized, and 392 participant responses were captured through Likert-scale, multiple-choice, and ordinal ranking-scale questions. Of the 12 settings included in the study, eight practice settings reported that wheelchair seating and mobility were the most used assistive technology. Regarding the remaining four practice settings, occupational therapists working in early intervention with children aged 0-3 years reported using communication devices; outpatient hand therapy reported home modifications; mental health professionals reported using cognitive aids; and occupational therapists in the school setting reported using technology for learning disabilities. All participants reported that assistive technology is used "sometimes" to "always," regardless of setting. The need for occupational therapists to have an established knowledge base in assistive technology is crucial. This study highlights the association between the practice setting and the use and frequency of assistive technology.

Many studies have been carried out to measure the effectiveness of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Beacons, Ultra Wideband (UWB) Beacons, and GPS for the purposes of deploying Real-time Localisation Systems (RTLS) for user interactions in Museums and other public areas. However, rural areas are often neglected from these studies. This study looks to investigate the effectiveness of these three technologies for the purposes of developing a modular, robust, scalable Real-Time Localization System for facilitating accessible interactive Cultural Heritage (CH) experiences, particularly in rural areas. Recommendations are made as to how government bodies might best support accessible technology for CH applications going forward.

Assistive technologies designed through co-design hold promise for enhancing independence and quality of life for autistic people. By actively involving stakeholders in the development process, co-design improves the relevance of assistive technologies and empowers stakeholders by providing them with a greater sense of control. Although stakeholders are increasingly involved in co-design, the involvement of caregivers in the co-design of everyday technology, representing their own needs rather than solely representing autistic end-users, is limited, despite caregivers frequently interacting with these technologies. It is essential to incorporate their preferences and wishes into the design process. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore the role of caregivers in co-designing everyday technologies with autistic young adults, as reflected in the current literature. This research provides insights into the extent and way caregivers contribute to the co-design of everyday technologies. We systematically queried seven databases, which returned 863 records after removing duplicates. Guided by the PRISMA-ScR approach, we selected 28 studies. The findings indicate that caregivers are minimally involved in the co-design of everyday technologies. If they are involved at all, it is mainly as proxies for autistic people. Future research should involve caregivers as key stakeholders when co-designing everyday technology.