Assistive Technology Devices Research Articles

Assistive systems for visually impaired people: A survey on current requirements and advancements

In this survey, we provide a comprehensive study on the assistive technological devices which help visually impaired persons in their day-to-day lives. With various forms of disabilities such as visual, auditory, mobility, or cognitive impairment affecting a significant number of people worldwide, the aim of this study is to enable the blind persons to achieve independence. The primary objective of this work is to provide a concise description of assistive technologies for the visually impaired, along with an exploration of approaches for object detection, text detection, and text-to-speech synthesis. We present detailed discussion on these approaches using both traditional as well as deep learning based techniques. Finally, we conclude with some open opportunities where further research can be carried out.

Development and Evaluation of an mHealth App That Promotes Access to 3D Printable Assistive Devices

Three-dimensional printing is an emerging service delivery method for on-demand access to customized assistive technology devices. However, barriers exist in locating and designing appropriate models and having the devices printed. The purpose of this work is to outline the development of an app, 3DAdapt, which allows users to overcome these issues by searching within a curated list of 3D printable assistive devices, customizing models that support it, and ordering the device to be printed by manufacturers linked within the app or shared with local 3D printing operators. The app integrates searching and filters based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, with the available devices including those developed from fieldwork collaborations with multiple professionals and students within clinical, community, and educational settings. It provides users the ability to customize select models to meet their needs. The model can then be shared, downloaded, or ordered from a third-party 3D printing service. This development and expert testing phase to assess feasibility and modify the app based on identified themes then prepared the team for the next phases of beta testing to reach the overall aim of 3DAdapt to connect individuals to affordable and customizable devices to increase independence and quality of life.

Assistive Technology for Higher Education Students with Disabilities: A Qualitative Research

The objective of this qualitative investigation is to identify the assistive technology recognized by students with disabilities and to determine the assistive technology (software apps and devices) they require both at university and at home. A total of forty-two students, comprising 20 males and 22 females, were recruited from four different countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, and Spain) for participation in this study. The sample encompassed 10 students with visual impairments, 11 with hearing impairments, 11 with mobility impairments, and 10 with specific learning disabilities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the students either online or in person. Content analysis was employed to scrutinize the data obtained from these interviews. The outcomes of this analysis shed light on the assistive technology acknowledged, utilized, or desired by students with disabilities in both academic and domestic settings. The findings from this study carry practical implications for fostering inclusive and accessible education within higher education institutions, benefiting accessibility units/offices staff as well as teaching personnel.

Occupational therapy and chronic pain - the didactic experience at academic pain league at the University of São Paulo medical school

Occupational Therapy interventions for people with chronic pain focus on promoting independence/autonomy and rescuing meaningful activities (interrupted after the limitations brought about by illness). Various strategies can be used, such as: guidance on energy conservation and joint protection techniques, prescription and/or manufacture of positioning devices, prescription and/or manufacture of assistive technology equipment, development of creative and expressive activities, training activities of daily living, environmental assessment, guidance for family members and caregivers. This article aims to present the implementation of the Occupational Therapy Service at the FMUSP Pain League, developed since 2023. The work focused on implementing Occupational Therapy as one of the professions that make up the FMUSP Pain League, on a permanent and continuous basis; and, in addition, allow undergraduates teaching opportunities (theoretical and practical) related to the multidisciplinary care of people with chronic pain, as well as promoting research actions in the area of ​​Occupational Therapy and Chronic Pain. In OT, a student and the supervising teacher work, together with the multidisciplinary team. Activities are weekly and take place at night. Remote and in-service supervision is carried out. The implementation took place in 3 stages. In the first stage, we sought to understand the dynamics of the league, as well as characterize the patients and their specific demands, through participant observation. The second stage was structured around the specific OT intervention; evaluations of league users were carried out, with the application of evaluation and recording instruments. The third stage focused on monitoring patients and families, with new assessments carried out when necessary. Interventions follows through individual plan care, family guidance, development of educational material, prescription and/or production of assistive technology devices. The service uses a specific evolution form and the data feeds into a service database. We consider that the results obtained are satisfactory, as theoretical and practical learning was possible for the participating student. Currently, Occupational Therapy is already part of the League's routine activities, with participation in the Introductory Course, in the Board of Directors and in planning activities for 2024.

Empowering Potential of the My Assistive Technology Guide: Exploring Experiences and User Perspectives.

The use of assistive technology (AT) devices enhances older adults' function in daily activities. However, the lack of awareness of AT among potential AT users has been identified as a major barrier to its adoption. This study aimed to assess the quality of the Mi Guía de Asistencia Tecnológica (MGAT) web app, which provides information on AT, from the perspective of older Latinos with physical disabilities, and to explore their experience using the MGAT. We employed a convergent parallel mixed-method design involving 12 older Latinos living in Puerto Rico. In Phase I, the researchers trained the participants in the use of the MGAT. In Phase II, participants were encouraged to use it for 30 days. In Phase III, the participants completed the User Mobile Application Rating Scale and individual interviews, analyzed with descriptive statistics and a directed thematic content analysis. The quality of the MGAT was rated high in both the objective (mean = 3.99; SD = 0.7) and subjective (mean = 4.13; SD = 1.1) domains. Qualitative data revealed the MGAT was accessible, usable, desirable, credible, useful, and valuable to increasing older Latinos' AT knowledge, function, and autonomy. The MGAT has the potential to increase AT awareness and adoption among older adults.

Outcome measures applied to robotic assistive technology for people with cerebral palsy: a pilot study

The application of robotic devices is being used as Assistive Technology (AT) for improving rehabilitation interventions. The purposes of this research were to (1) test a novel low-cost robotic AT to support interventions for people with Cerebral Palsy (CP); (2) determine its usability; and (3) analyze its impact. It was a pilot study with prospective, longitudinal and analytical cohorts was done. Intervention was developed in one association (NGO) of people with CP. Participants were 6 women and 3 men with CP, with a mean age of 51.67. Intervention with LOLA2 (a robotic platform, not wearable, equipped with artificial intelligence) was implemented for training some activities of daily life (ADL) of participants. Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Technology Scale (PIADS), and Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment (ATPA) were used for outcome measures. Level of participants’ independence was high (FIM = 98). Psychosocial impact of the robotic platform in terms of competence (M = 0.25), adaptability (M = 0.33), and self-esteem (M = 0.25), was positive, but low. The mean in ATDPA (M = 3) reflects a moderate match. No significant variations concerning the changes in functional independence were detected. The robotic platform is applicable and complementary AT for rehabilitation. This study leads to implementing some improvements in its design, proposed activities, human-robot interaction, and system for registering information.

193 Beyond Independence: The Empowering Potential of an Assistive Technology Web App to Enrich the Lives of Older Latinos with Functional Disabilities

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The use of assistive technology (AT) devices is known to improve older adults’ independence in daily activities. However, little is known about the impact of using an AT web app in older Latinos’ life. This study aims to evaluate the value and usefulness of the My Assistive Technology Guide web app among older Latinos with physical function disabilities. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We employed a convergent parallel mixed-method design with 12 community-living older Latinos from Puerto Rico. Researchers provided training in the use of My Assistive Technology Guide, a Spanish evidence-based web app with detailed information on 97 AT devices and videos of older people using them. Participants were encouraged to use it for 30 days. Afterward, we collected quantitative data using the subjective quality domain of the User Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS), followed by qualitative data through individual interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and qualitative data with thematic content analysis. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: My Assistive Technology Guide web app received high ratings in the uMARS subjective quality domain (mean 4.5 [SD 0.5] out of 5), indicating that participants highly valued the usefulness of the web app. Qualitative data fell into four main categories: functional health, meaningful participation, autonomy, and personal growth. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The findings suggest that the AT knowledge provided by the My Assistive Technology Guide web app has the potential to enhance the quality of life of older Latinos in the face of the challenges posed by physical function disabilities as people age.

An exploratory study of Saudi parents' perceptions and beliefs about institutional and home care for children with disabilities

Quality care is critical to the quality of life and well-being of persons with disabilities. However, children with disabilities face unprecedented challenges which include access to assistive technology and rehabilitative devices, social exclusion, and negative attitudes in their various care settings. The present qualitative study seeks to understand parents' perceptions of home or institutional care for children with disabilities. The study utilized an exploratory qualitative approach paradigm with five focus groups in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Framework data analysis identified opposing and supporting perspectives for home and institutional-based care. Beneficial aspects of home care relate to cultural upbringing and the opportunity to acquire social and daily living skills. Families believe there are benefits of institutional care because such care settings have specialists and resources to support persons with disabilities. They argue for these resources to be linked to disability cases in families to optimize the development of children with disabilities. The study concluded that a dedicated care team to support families to cater to the needs of their children with disabilities at home is preferred over institutional-based care.

Determining materials and communication needs of students with visual impairments in mathematics tests: Case of university entrance exam in Türkiye

The study explored the perspectives of students with visual impairments regarding the practices of human readers in the mathematics tests of university entrance exams in Türkiye, focusing on communication difficulties and material preferences. This qualitative study used a case study design. The participants consisted of 20 students who participated in the transition to higher education exam between 2020 and 2022. A demographic survey was conducted first, followed by a semi-structured interview. Thematic coding was used to analyze data to capture the themes that emerged in the study. These themes were materials used in mathematical tests and communication with human readers. The study revealed that the human readers’ verbal and written communication skills in mathematics may affect the test performance of students with visual impairments. The study also highlighted that most students relied on low-tech devices due to the lack of knowledge and access to high-tech assistive technology devices. While they preferred using braille booklets and high-tech assistive technology devices, many students felt uncomfortable with these options due to their unfamiliarity. This research emphasizes the need for comprehensive training for human readers, especially in mathematical communication, to improve the overall test-taking experience for students with visual impairments. It also highlights the importance of providing adequate training in the use of high-tech assistive technology devices. In addition, collaboration between teachers of students with visual impairments and testing agencies can facilitate the development of more accessible test environments, ensuring equal opportunities for those with visual impairments.

시각중복장애학생 교수·학습 방법 관련 국외 연구 동향 분석

Purpose: The purpose is to collect and analyze research related to the guidance of visually impaired students over the past 10 years published in international academic journals and examine trends related to the guidance and teaching methods of visually impaired students. Method: To this end, in accordance with the NECA Systematic Literature Review Manual, a total of 16 articles related to educational methods for students with visual impairment published overseas from 2013 to 2022 were searched using the overseas academic paper search service and overseas academic paper search site within the domestic academic research information service. collected. Based on the collected research data, the data were analyzed using inductive and deductive methods. Results:First, research was being conducted on structured implementation suitable for the characteristics of students with visual overlap impairment. In relation to this, research was conducted on teaching methods for students with visual impairment to structure the learning environment and thinking process. Second, research was being conducted to identify learner intentions and increase participation. In relation to this, research has been conducted on using assistive technology devices to enhance learners' participation in learning, on using assistive technology devices on improving learners' leisure activities, and on walking education using behavioral interventions. Conclusion: It was confirmed that structuring the characteristics of students with visual overlap disorder is necessary in terms of the learning environment and thinking process. It was confirmed that assistive technology devices and behavioral intervention methods can be used to understand learner intent and increase participation.

Robust tracking control of a minimal realization model of an impaired human hand for anthropomorphic coordination

Objective Physiologically relevant optimal controllers better represent the decision-making process of the central nervous system (CNS) with proper neural inputs and proprioceptor feedback. A biomechanical mathematical framework in the human palm reference frame was simulated using physiological dynamics to explore the biomechanics of movement coordination of fingers in a human hand.Method Physiological state space models include multiple zero eigenvalues, representing a redundant system. A fingertip trajectory tracking control paradigm is created by reducing the model order through the H∞ control paradigm. The external disturbances and sensory noise are included in the 21-Degrees-of-Freedom biomechanical model.Main Results An analysis is conducted on the flexion movement of the robotic finger when it is disrupted from its initial equilibrium position. The controller administers feedback force at the joints to control the movement of the robotic finger. A full order H∞ robust controller was developed, and the results were compared with the reduced-order model. The model order was reduced from 21 to 18 states. A reference trajectory is followed by the index finger in the minimal realization model, which is derived from the joint angular position profile. It stabilizes at a flexion angle of 1 rad/sec within 2 sec. Studying the simpler form of a model first gives a realistic view of the more complex model. This study has the potential to enhance our comprehension of anthropomorphic movement coordination in hands with impairments in kinesiology, ergonomics, assistive technology, and prosthetic devices.

장애학생 교육권 보장과 통합교육 지원을 위한 ‘정당한 편의’ 제공 지표 개발

The purpose of this study was to develop indicators for providing reasonable accommodations
 for students with disabilities in order to both guarantee educational rights for students with
 disabilities and support inclusive education. Until now, there have been no standards or guidelines
 for providing reasonable accommodations in the field of education. To address this issue, we
 developed indicators for providing reasonable accommodations by conducting literature reviews and
 a Delphi survey with 20 experts. The Delphi survey questions were extracted through literature
 analysis, preparation of preliminary questions, and consultation with experts. As a result of the first
 and second Delphi surveys, the indicators for reasonable accommodations were developed,
 comprising a total of 51 indicators across five sub-areas (support system, appropriate education
 and evaluation, human support, learning and assistive technology devices and assistant dog support,
 and facilities and equipment). These indicators can serve as foundational standards and guidelines
 for providing reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities in inclusive education
 settings. This study holds significant importance as it pioneers the establishment of specific
 standards for providing reasonable accommodations in South Korea, thereby ensuring meaningful
 education for students with disabilities in inclusive educational settings. The findings of this study
 are expected to contribute towards improving the quality of inclusive education in South Korea.

Associação entre desempenho funcional de crianças com paralisia cerebral e tempo de espera pela provisão de órteses em serviço de reabilitação

Children with cerebral palsy usually need orthoses in their thumbs for manual functions. Objective: Analyzing the association between the waiting time for receiving a thumb orthosis, the manual ability, and the difficulty in performing daily tasks of children with cerebral palsy. Method: Mixed-methods study, with a retrospective cohort and cross-sectional evaluation of children with cerebral palsy and the indication and confection of thumb orthoses. Data collection included socioeconomic information, waiting time for the orthoses, and assessments of the difficulty to carry out daily activities and of manual functioning according to the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS). Descriptive analysis, Spearman’s coefficient and the Kruskal-Wallis test were calculated in the IBM software SPSS®. Results: 17 children and their parents/guardians were evaluated. Most were male (76.5%) with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (52.9%). Their mean time waiting for the orthosis was 34.12 days (SD= 39.01). Children with a more severe motor impairment (p= 0.038) or worse manual abilities (p= 0.012) waited to receive the orthosis for a shorter period. There was no statistical difference between the waiting time for the orthosis and the difficulty to perform daily tasks. Conclusion: The correlation between manual ability and the waiting time reiterates the importance of functional evaluations to prioritize the concession of Assistive Technology devices in public rehabilitation services, focusing the care on the more specific needs of each child.

Assistive Technologies and Participation of Students with Visual Impairments in Extra Curricular Activities - What Does the Literature Say?

The rapid growth of technological advancement has impacted teaching and learning at all levels of education. Like all other students, visually challenged students need information and communication technologies to bridge the gap from classroom learning to extracurricular activities (indoor and outdoor learning activities). Therefore, this study conducted an empirical literature review on how assistive technology devices enhance participation of students with visual impairments (SVI) in extracurricular activities (ECA). The study utilized peer-reviewed and scholarly articles that provided relevant insights regarding assistive technologies and participation of SVI in ECA. The review found that assistive technologies plays a great role in enhancing participation of SVI in ECA including provision of access to information and materials, navigation and mobility support, communication and social interaction, skill development and educational opportunities. The review also revealed challenges associated with the use of AT in participation of SVI in ECA that included lack of accessibility standards, limited availability and affordability, technological compatibility, and inadequate training and technical support. The review concludes that assistive technologies play a crucial role in enhancing participation of students with VI in ECA and that these students are prepared for better future roles as adults. It also calls for stakeholders to create more inclusive and equitable extracurricular environment through addressing the barriers that hinder SVI to participate in ECA.

지체, 뇌병변 장애인의 보조기기 필요 요인 분석: 인간, 활동, 환경 요인을 중심으로

It is important to consider the individual characteristics of Assistive Technology Device
 (ATD) for assisting people with disabilities in their daily activities. A representative method
 is to consider the four basic elements of Human, Activity, Assistive Technology Device,
 and Environment when providing assistive technology services (HAAT model, Cook &
 Hussey, 2002). In this study, the factors affecting the ATDs required by the people with
 disabilities in Korea were analyzed by applying to the HAAT model. The top five ATDs
 with high need were extracted, and the factors influencing the need for the top five ATDs
 among people, activities, and environmental factors were analyzed by conducting binomial
 logistic regression analysis. As a result of the analysis, the top 5 ATDs most needed by
 the people with disabilities in Korea are cane, safety handle, powered wheelchair, electric scooter, and home modification. These results indicate that they mostly require ATDs for
 activities of daily living related to mobility and movement. Age, disability grade, and whether
 or not to use public transportation were analyzed as factors that had a statistically significant
 effect on the need for ATDs. The limitation of this study is that there is a limitation in
 generalizing the analysis results of this study because there is a possibility that sufficient
 information on ATDs may not be provided when conducting a fact-finding survey of the
 people with disabilities. Nevertheless, the results of this study suggest that it is necessary
 to apply appropriate ATDs considering factors such as disability type, living environment,
 and age. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for the application
 of assistive devices suitable for the characteristics of the people with disabilities in Korea.

Usability testing of Healthcare Devices: A review of the current UX methods used for usability testing of healthcare devices

This literature review examines the state of usability testing in medical device design, focusing on techniques and instruments used for assessing user-centered design. The analysis includes 30 studies from various fields, such as telemedicine, assistive technology, and healthcare devices. The review discusses different UX analysis techniques, their benefits and their drawbacks. Usability testing is critical in healthcare equipment design, utilizing various approaches and metrics. However, the analysis also highlights significant obstacles that need to be addressed, such as the need for more rigorous testing procedures and the application of user-centered design concepts. Overall, the review underscores the importance of usability testing in creating user-friendly, secure, and efficient medical equipment that benefits both patients and medical professionals.

The Right to Assistive Technology and Accessible Instructional Materials for U.S. Students Does Not Consistently Translate into Predictable Access and Effective Use.

Students in the United States have federally-established rights regarding access to assistive technology (AT) devices and services, yet those rights are not consistently upheld for a variety of reasons acknowledged in the literature. We conducted a interview-based study with 48 education professionals, family members and students to analyze the facilitators and barriers that influence AT access for students in the State of Delaware. Study results were consistent with the extant literature, and revealed numerous violations of student rights guaranteed under U.S. special education law. Some barriers were attitudinal, yet most arose from the inadequacy of infrastructures: professionals lacked training, funding was inadequate or difficult to access and, in most areas, there was no definitive guidance relative to the processes that should be followed and how decisions regarding AT-related decisions regarding devices and services should be documented. Elements revealed to facilitate AT access and use were the availability of resources - highly-qualified personnel, time, training, funds, and access to devices - and persistence among educators and family members in pursuing AT solutions for students.

Assistive Technology Involving Postural Control and Gait Performance for Adults with Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study aimed to comprehensively summarize assistive technology devices for postural control and gait performance in stroke patients. In the study, we searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until 31 December 2022 in four electrical databases. The most frequently applied assistive technology devices involving postural stability and gait function for stroke patients were robot-assistive technology devices. Out of 1065 initially retrieved citations that met the inclusion criteria, 30 RCTs (12 studies for subacute patients and 18 studies for chronic patients) were included in this review based on eligibility criteria. The meta-analysis included ten RCTs (five studies for subacute patients and five for chronic patients) based on the inclusion criteria of the data analysis. After analyzing, the variables, only two parameters, the Berg balance scale (BBS) and the functional ambulation category (FAC), which had relevant data from at least three studies measuring postural control and gait function, were selected for the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed significant differences in the experimental group compared to the control group for BBS in both subacute and chronic stroke patients and for the FAC in chronic stroke patients. Robot-assistive training was found to be superior to regular therapy in improving postural stability for subacute and chronic stroke patients but not gait function. This review suggests that robot-assistive technology devices should be considered in rehabilitative approaches for postural stability and gait function for subacute and chronic stroke patients.

Training and learning support to use smartphones and apps for people with vision impairment (PVI): A multi-site qualitative study on trainers’ perspectives from Australia, Canada, and Singapore

Smartphones and applications (apps) are replacing traditional assistive technology devices for people with vision impairment (PVI) to support their mobility and independence in daily life. However, training and learning support to enable PVI to use this technology to its full advantage requires further research. A better understanding of what, and how, training and learning support is currently being provided is required to inform the future development of training and best practice in the area. This study, using an interpretive descriptive qualitative approach, aimed to explore the perspectives of trainers on the current provision of smartphone training in Australia, Canada, and Singapore. Semi-structured interviews with 22 trainers, including 13 trainers with a vision impairment, discussed how training is currently conducted, the challenges, and their ideas on what would constitute a high-quality or ideal training programme. The data were analysed using thematic analysis and six themes emerged: structure and content of training; training provides hope, independence and connection; trainers’ approach and attributes influence training; informal support and other avenues for learning; challenges associated with providing training; and suggestions to improve training. Participants highlighted that smartphone training was a source of hope for PVI and that it enabled independence. The importance of responding to clients’ emotional needs, in addition to their learning needs in an individualised and graded approach, was discussed as critical to the success of training. Trainers with vision impairment who weaved their lived experience into the training sessions found this to be beneficial to their clients’ learning and adjustment to vision loss.

Establishing the normative and comparative needs of assistive technology provision in Queensland from the agency and funding scheme perspective.

Assistive technology services and devices support the participation and inclusion of people living with disability. In Australia, the regulatory bodies, agencies and schemes that manage assistive technology provision are governed by national and / or state-based Acts and Legislation. This study examined the assistive technology sector from the perspective of the regulatory bodies, agencies and schemes. Regulatory bodies, agencies and schemes that manage funding for assistive technology in Australia were identified by the research team. A website audit reviewed publicly available documents and information. Semi-structured interviews with representatives from the agencies and schemes were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The audit (n =17) found that the range and level of information publicly available was variable. The availability of assistive technology for driving and transport, design and building for access and safety, and mobility was most often promoted. The qualitative findings (n = 11) indicated variability and challenges within four themes: operationalising the legislation; internal assistive technology processes; reasonable and necessary; and risks in the assistive technology pathway. Regulatory bodies, agencies and schemes are critical to the effectiveness of the sector. The findings identified opportunities for the organisations to review how internal processes are communicated publicly, and for the sector to address the perceived risks related to health professional availability, knowledge and skills, and limited accessibility to trial assistive technology. Subsequent studies explored the perspectives of the assistive technology advisors and suppliers and the recipients of assistive technology services and devices.