Assistive Technology最新文献

Persons with vision impairments (PwVI) may have difficulties navigating through indoor environments, and the barriers and their solution strategies differ based on their level of familiarity with the location. The majority of PwVI are older individuals, and there are associated physical, mental, and health changes that make it a significant public health issue. We conducted a needs assessment study to understand current navigation techniques in familiar, somewhat familiar, and unfamiliar private indoor environments for older PwVI. We used a semi-structured interview approach to explore their experiences and their overall perceptions about the potential of an assistive robot to support wayfinding. We identified their specific needs, barriers encountered when navigating these environments, solutions for wayfinding, use of assistive technologies, and their overall thoughts about desirable technologies to improve wayfinding, specifically robots. Our data highlighted common strategies that could support their use of a wayfinding robot as well as other technologies used (i.e. white canes). We share insights into designing robotic solutions that would provide better assistance to older PwVI.

Telenoid is a robotic communications device that connects via Wi-Fi, allowing an operator to converse with the person holding Telenoid from a distance. Emerging evidence suggests Telenoid may have therapeutic benefits for people living with dementia, but studies are limited, especially in Australian Long-Term Care (LTC). In a one-group mixed method pilot study, 10 people with a diagnosis of dementia living in one LTC facility in Queensland, Australia, participated in three individual sessions with Telenoid and a follow-up semi-structured interview. Changes in behavior and expression outcomes were observations relating to engagement before and after using Telenoid, as assessed via a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Qualitative observation and interview data were collectively analyzed using an inductive, thematic analysis approach. No statistically significant changes in engagement were observed across the sessions. Five qualitative themes report positive and negative feelings toward Telenoid. Participants personified Telenoid, indicating its characteristics influenced perceptions. Engagement was identified as crucial, and Telenoid provided opportunities for conversations. Although Telenoid may serve as a positive activity device for people living with dementia, its time-consuming nature suggests it may be more effectively utilized by an activity officer rather than care staff who may not have time to commit to the activity.

Data logging technologies have been implemented in manual and power wheelchairs (PWCs) to measure device performance and user behaviors. Previous studies have investigated mean daily distance traveled in both types of wheelchairs, however, with small sample sizes and limited time frames. Permobil instrumented its PWCs with connectivity to continuously collect usage data. The purpose of this study was to analyze this dataset to calculate the mean daily distance traveled over the entire year of 2022 across a large sample of Permobil PWC users within the United States, compare the mean daily distance traveled and the number of use days among five wheelchair models, and to compare the mean daily distance traveled and the number of use days between PWC classifications (Group 3 and Group 4 PWCs). The study sample consisted of 3,058 Permobil PWCs across 5 models. Further reduced dataset for Group 3 and Group 4 devices comprised 2,615 wheelchairs. The results showed PWC users drove on average 1,365 m per day. Group 4 PWCs had a significantly higher mean daily distance traveled than Group 3 PWCs. PWCs were used on average 301 days in a year. Study results could inform scheduled maintenance, repairs, and replacements based on usage versus current indicator of device age.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the implementation of assistive technologies (AT) (e.g. text-to-speech software, screen readers, communication devices, adaptive keyboards) in graduate courses from education programs (e.g. special education, curriculum & instruction) and rehabilitation science (e.g. speech-language pathology, occupational therapy). Then, the perceptions of graduate students in special education, curriculum and instruction, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy programs were analyzed to determine their AT learning needs. Statistical analysis revealed that graduate students from the special education programs demonstrated differences in specific knowledge compared to those from speech-language pathology and curriculum and instruction programs. There was no statistical significance in specific knowledge of occupational therapy graduate students compared to the students from other programs. Our findings highlight the need for multidisciplinary practices and further development of AT skills across graduate programs. Interdisciplinary practices and the need to further develop graduate students' AT skills across programs were discussed.

Vision impairment may delay responses to hazards when driving. In a proof-of-concept driving simulator study, we evaluated a hazard warning device designed for vision impaired drivers. Three groups participated: 11 persons with central vision loss (CVL; median age 60 years), 12 with homonymous field loss (HFL; 52 years) and 11 with normal vision (NV; 60 years). CVL is characterized by impaired visual acuity and contrast sensitivity while HFL is a loss of vision in the same half of the visual field (blind side) in both eyes. Participants completed drives with and without the device which gave a directional vibro-tactile warning for an approaching pedestrian hazard when collision risk exceeded a pre-defined threshold. Warnings significantly (p < 0.001) reduced brake response times for CVL (∆ = 0.54s) and HFL (∆ = 0.30s), but not NV participants. For HFL participants, the reduction was greater (p = 0.02) for hazards on the blind (∆ = 0.57s) than seeing side (∆ = 0.10s). The warnings significantly reduced collision rates for CVL participants from 11 to 0% (all hazards) and for HFL participants from 30 to 1.7% (blind side hazards). Thus, hazard warnings may be beneficial in improving safety of vision impaired drivers; further research is warranted.

Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems enable interaction by persons with speech impairments, yet access to these devices is limited. In 2019, the Government of Canada introduced "The Accessible Canada Act" to reduce barriers. Availability of information online about AAC systems can reduce barriers to many Canadians who have difficulty attending in-person appointments. While Ontario's Assistive Device Program has been reviewed, other government-funded and charitable organizations across Canada have not been assessed for readability and accessibility. This research aims to evaluate the websites of organizations across Canada that provide AAC technology access, either through equipment loans or financial assistance programs. Forty-three eligible organizations were identified. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines scores (A, AA, and AAA) and four readability scores (Flesch Kincaid Reading Ease, Flesch Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog, and age range) for each website were determined. Thirteen of 43 sites scored below the recommended standard of 75 for WCAG score, and Flesch Kincaid Reading Ease score indicated 86% were more difficult to read than standard recommendations for web content. To enhance equity in AAC device access, online availability of information and forms of government programs and charitable organizations must be easily understood and barrier-free.

Visually impaired individuals, estimated at 285 million globally, rely heavily on-screen readers for internet access. However, much of the visually available information, such as the relationship between webpage elements, does not translate well to its textual representation and must be always kept in memory, limiting contextual interactions. To address this challenge, we developed Touch Matrix Assistive Technology Navigator (TOMAT), an open-source system that works alongside screen readers to provide an interactive, audio-tactile representation of webpage structure and enable contextual interactions. Our study employed a participatory design approach, involving visually impaired users, healthcare professionals, engineers, and community organizations in co-design sessions, prototype demonstrations, and focus groups. The resulting system extracts and presents non-linear web information at multiple levels of detail, allowing users to dynamically adjust granularity and efficiently navigate and interact with web content. Participants reported that TOMAT enhanced their understanding of webpage structure and provided an intuitive complement to screen reader software. The findings suggest TOMAT has the potential to improve the internet navigation experience for visually impaired users, fostering greater independence and digital participation. To support further development and collaboration, TOMAT's source files have been released under an open-source license.

An interventional technology called Virtual Seating Coach (VSC) provided alerts via an app to perform pressure redistribution using power wheelchair seat functions. The objective was whether alerts can contribute to more function utilization and thereby reduce pressure injuries and pain. Thirty-nine individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) participated, 14 consented to use VSC, and 25 controls. The duration of the study was 27 months, with follow-up at 1 month or 3 months. Due to multiple technological and disease-related difficulties, three of those consented for the VSC received alerts once per hour to move into prescribed positions for one minute. These participants were able to use the VSC through the study end, and two of the three adhered to performing pressure redistribution after receiving alerts. The three using the VSC did not report pressure injuries; 12 of 21 controls reported development of a pressure injury. Furthermore, those using VSC noted a decrease in pain; most controls showed an increase during the same time period. The study thus highlighted the potential for such alerting technology while at the same time revealing many limitations due to disease progression and diminishing access to wheelchair controls.

This study aimed to review the application of commercial smartwatches as a tool for monitoring health and exercise variables and the accuracy of their measurements, with users being people with physical disabilities who use manual wheelchairs. The searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEEXplore. Studies were included regardless of experimental design as long as they involved people with physical disability or without any physical disabilities who used manual wheelchairs in evaluations with commercial smartwatches. Thirteen studies were included in the review. Overall, there was no consensus on the accuracy of wheelchair-related measurements, such as physical tests and daily activities, with only the Apple Watch® Series 1 and 4 and the Fitbit Charge 2® providing acceptable information. Regarding the physiological measurements offered by smartwatches during physical evaluations, only the Xiaomi Mi Band 5® provided reliable heart rate readings. Additionally, the Apple Watch® Series 5 did not demonstrate sufficient sensitivity to detect falls from the wheelchair. Finally, despite these limitations, commercial smartwatches are seen as a promising tool for self-care and increased autonomy. However, restrictions must be considered, especially in contexts where movements are subtle or gradual, and they should not be used for clinical purposes or disease diagnosis.

Sleep problems are highly prevalent in autism and negatively impact the physical and mental health of children and their caregivers. Sleep education programs are often recommended as a first line-treatment to help parents implement healthy sleeping habits and a bedtime routine at home; however, the accompanying paper-based toolkits used in the bedtime routines have limitations related to engagement and adherence. To address these gaps, we iteratively developed and tested the usability of an augmented reality (AR) bedtime routine application. Our single participant design study (n = 7 child/parent dyads) found 86% compliance with the program and suggested good-excellent usability of the app with a trend toward increased willingness and faster completion of children's bedtime routines. This work supports the feasibility of using technology-based tools in sleep education programs and informs future clinical studies examining the effectiveness of these approaches for mitigating sleep difficulties.