Assistive Technology最新文献

The study aims to evaluate the effects of virtual reality (VR) programs on disease activity, central sensitization, kinesiophobia, body awareness, and pain catastrophizing in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Twenty-nine with FMS were randomized into the VR group or the control group (CG). FMS patients in the VR group were included in the VR-based relaxing treatment for 4 weeks, with one session per week. The progressive muscle relaxation technique and the breath-counting exercise were taught to participants in the CG. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Central Sensitization Inventory Short-Form (CSI-SF), TAMPA, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) were evaluated. Additionally, in the VR group, the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), pain, stress, and exhaustion were assessed during each session. Post-treatment, the VR group showed significantly greater improvements than the CG in FIQ, CSI-SF, PCS, and BAQ (p < 0.05). Effect sizes in the VR group, except for TAMPA, ranged from large to very large (Cohen's d = 0.993-1.350). Although GSR scores decreased post-treatment, this reduction was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Additionally, symptoms of SSQ, pain, stress, and exhaustion were notably reduced in the VR group. we recommend the widespread use of this innovative treatment approach in FMS patients.

This case report examined the impact of computer programmed assistive technology developed, using ChatGPT as a tool when designing an occupational therapy intervention on a client's independence in activities of daily living. A 66-year-old female client with mild cognitive impairment consulted an occupational therapist due to difficulties with activities of daily living. The occupational therapist developed two activity assistance computer programs using ChatGPT as a resource. The client did not interact directly with ChatGPT; instead, the occupational therapist used the technology to design and implement the intervention. A computer programmed assistive technology-based occupational therapy intervention was completed for eight weeks. The occupational therapist trained the client to use these programs in the clinical setting and at home. As a result of the intervention, the client's performance and independence in daily activities improved. The results of this study emphasize that ChatGPT may help occupational therapists as a tool to design simple computer programmed assistive technology interventions without requiring additional professional input.

The aim of this scoping review was to gather, summarize, and map the knowledge of peoples' experiences on humanoid robots, capable of assisting people with activities of daily living. The review was guided by the framework of Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR. We found 44 papers describing nine robots that could assist with a variety of tasks listed in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. The mixed population experienced little or no anxiety toward the robots, and most accepted the robots' ability to monitor for safety reasons. Some participants disliked the robots' large size and slow movements. Most of the participants found the robots easy to use. They wanted improvements in the robots' functionality and the ability to personalize services. Several of the participants found the services interesting and useful, but not for themselves. The experiences of humanoid robotic assistance showed an insufficient level of technical readiness for assisting in physical assistance, a lack of personalization and readiness for use in home settings. The practical relevance of these findings lies in guiding future research and development toward a more individualized approach focusing on user needs and experiences to enhance the efficacy and integration of humanoid robots in health-care.

Congenital limb defects occur when a limb does not develop normally during pregnancy. The quality of each person's everyday life is significantly impacted by any of these defects and there is no concrete treatment. 3D modeling and printing, enables the creation and customization of precise virtual and/or physical models, including models of the human anatomy. These technologies provide a novel method of producing new devices with optimized design and production time, improving adaptability, and incorporating functionality. To this end, we propose a method of designing and producing 3D printed assistive devices and we also present an example of an assistive device, done in the 3D Printing Center for Health, as well as its impact on the patient's daily life. With this device, the patient became able to play the guitar and hold a knife, thus helping on these two activities.

Socially assistive robots (SARs) are increasingly recognized for their potential in helping older adults age in place. Effectively meeting the diverse needs of older adults requires a proper classification of SARs' functions. However, existing function categories are primarily proposed from the perspective of researchers, rarely from older adults themselves. This study addresses this gap by employing a user-centered design approach to explore how older adults classify SARs' functions. Using the open card sorting technique, we first identified 30 functions supporting the daily tasks of older adults. Subsequently, twenty-five older adults aged 60 to 86 with diverse educational backgrounds participated in an iterative function categorization. The initial sorting ranged from 2 to 10 groups but generally centered around 4 to 6. Through multidimensional scaling and hierarchical clustering, we revealed a hierarchical structure of SARs' functions. Which identified four main categories: "Home Management," "Smart Healthcare," "Entertainment and Communication," and "Monitoring and Maintenance," with their sub-categories and super-categories. These findings provide valuable insights for designing SARs that better align with older adults' needs.

In this study, we assessed the physical burden on professional caregivers when using a transfer support robot, "Hug," to transfer and move a care recipient. We compared heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and the time-series synchronization between HRV and respiration in caregivers using the robot or a normal wheelchair as control. Under both conditions, a commercial wearable device was used to simultaneously obtain electrocardiogram and respiration signals while performing care tasks, which comprised transfer from a bed to a wheelchair or to the robot, movement to a remote location, and transfer to a chair. We found that HR was significantly higher and HRV and wavelet coherence were significantly lower in the control than with Hug during at least the first 30 seconds of rest after the task (p < 0.05). This suggests that Hug could reduce the increase in HR and thereby maintain a more constant rhythm between HRV and respiration during care tasks. A post-task questionnaire also revealed that caregivers felt the physical burden of the tasks was reduced using Hug. Our results suggest that the introduction of transfer support robots can reduce the physical burden for caregivers of daily transfer assistance tasks.

Curbs serve as vital borders that delineate safe pedestrian zones from potential vehicular traffic hazards. Curbs also represent a primary spatial hazard during dynamic navigation with significant stumbling potential. Such vulnerabilities are particularly exacerbated for persons with blindness and low vision (PBLV). Accurate visual-based discrimination of curbs is paramount for assistive technologies that aid PBLV with safe navigation in urban environments. Herein, we investigate the efficacy of curb segmentation for foundation models. We introduce the largest curb segmentation dataset to date to benchmark leading foundation models. Our results show that state-of-the-art foundation models face significant challenges in curb segmentation. This is due to their low precision and recall with poor performance distinguishing curbs from curb-like objects or non-curb areas, such as sidewalks. In addition, the best-performing model averaged a 3.70-s inference time, underscoring problems in providing real-time assistance. In response, we propose solutions including filtered bounding box selections to achieve more accurate curb segmentation. Overall, despite the immediate flexibility of foundation models, their application for practical assistive technology applications still requires refinement. This research highlights the critical need for specialized datasets and tailored model training to address navigation challenges for PBLV and underscores implicit weaknesses in foundation models.

Mobility is essential for the development of children with disabilities. The Adapt Project uses motorized adapted cars to promote independent movement and positively impact child development. To evaluate whether the perception of acceleration influences children's initial adaptation to the device. This case study involved an initial intervention and a three-month follow-up after delivering the adapted car. First, the child was evaluated using the car without and with acceleration control, assessed with the FLACC and ALP scales. Second, follow-up sessions were conducted with active maternal participation. Third, qualitative interviews were conducted, and the QUEST 2.0 scale was applied to assess satisfaction. Rapid acceleration movements increased pain perception, while slow movements minimized discomfort. The child progressed from level 1 to levels 3 and 4 on the ALP scale, and the QUEST 2.0 scale demonstrated high satisfaction (4.91), highlighting safety, comfort, and technical support, after 3 months of usage. Adaptations to the device and family engagement were essential for device acceptance and motor-cognitive development. Acceleration control improved comfort and safety, enabling greater autonomy and interaction, emphasizing the importance of user-centered approaches in assistive technologies.

Access to powered mobility can support play and development for toddlers with disabilities. Using powered mobility in a standing posture has been theorized to support development of muscle coordination, balance, head and trunk stability, and transition to ambulation. The purpose of this study was to quantify and characterize joystick control, bodyweight support, and muscle activity while using the Permobil Explorer Mini in seated and supported standing postures. Nine children with mobility disabilities participated in four visits where they completed two, 15-20 minute play sessions, one in each posture, with a break between. We found that all toddlers engaged with the joystick in both postures, with individual differences in favored directions and control patterns. Participants had similar loading through their feet in both postures, but had slightly higher muscle activity in standing, especially while driving. These results demonstrate that young children with disabilities quickly engage with joystick-based powered mobility in seated and standing postures, with important individual differences that can inform future design of devices and interventions to support play and development.