Physical Disabilities Research Articles

Developing and testing a community based, online vs. face-to-face peer led intervention to improve mental well-being in Cambodian adults with physical disabilities.

Despite growing international attention, there remains an urgent need to develop mental health services within low and middle income countries. The Khmer Rouge period in Cambodia saw the destruction of all health services infrastructure in the 1970s. Consequently, Cambodia has struggled to rebuild both its economy and healthcare system, with the number of qualified mental health clinicians remaining disproportionately low. Resultantly, there is a pressing need to develop low-cost community based alternatives of mental healthcare. Using a mixed methods design, researchers developed an 8-week peer-led intervention, known as a Friendship Group, for adults with physical disabilities using both face-to-face and online delivery methods. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used to assess changes in pre-post survey scores and qualitative data was collected in form of five focus groups post intervention. 41 participants were allocated across four Friendship groups - two were online and two face-to-face. Attrition rate was 22% post-intervention (n = 32). ITT analyses showed a statistically significant decrease in psychological distress scores [Z = -3.808, p < .001] from pre [Mdn = 20, IQR = 16.5-25.5] to post [Mdn = 16, IQR = 14-18.5] intervention. A Wilcoxon signed-ranks test also showed a statistically significant decrease in PTSD scores [Z = -2.239, p < .025] from pre [Mdn = 4, IQR = 3-5] to post [Mdn = 3, IQR = 2.75-4] intervention. There was also a statistically significant decrease in worry scores [Z = -3.904, p < .001] from pre [Mdn = 5, IQR = 3.5-6.5] to post [Mdn = 3, IQR = 3-4] intervention. There were no significant group differences between the face to face and online groups. A number of interconnected themes emerged from focus group data (n = 5), these included the mental health benefits of Friendship Groups as conceptualised through knowledge acquisition, skill development and peer support. The Friendship group intervention delivered in both online and face-to-face formats appears feasible and acceptable within the Cambodian context. Initial data revealed positive findings in terms of reduction in psychological distress, worry and PTSD symptoms as well increased feeling as calm.

Chronic social isolation leads to abnormal behavior in male mice through the hippocampal METTL14 mediated epitranscriptomic RNA m6A modifications

BackgroundSocial isolation not only increases the risk of mortality in later life but also causes depressive symptoms, cognitive and physical disabilities. Although RNA m6A modifications are suggested to play key roles in brain development, neuronal signaling and neurological disorders, both the roles of m6A and the enzymes that regulate RNA m6A modification in social isolation induced abnormal behavior is unknown. The present study aims to explore the possible epitranscriptomic role of RNA m6A modifications and its enzymes in social isolation induced impaired behavior. Methods3–4 weeks mice experiencing 8 weeks social isolation stress (SI) were used in the present study. We quantified m6A levels in brain regions related to mood and cognitive behavior. And the expression of hippocampal m6A enzymes was also determined. The role of hippocampal m6A and its enzymes in SI induced abnormal behavior was further verified by the virus tool. ResultsSI led to not only depressive and anxiety-like behaviors but also cognitive impairment, with corresponding decreases in hippocampal m6A and METTL14. Hippocampal over-expression METTL14 with lentivirus not only rescued these behaviors but also enhanced the hippocampal m6A level. Hippocampal over-expression METTL14 resulted in increased synaptic related genes. ConclusionsWe provide the first evidence that post-weaning social isolation reduces hippocampal m6A level and causes altered expression of m6A enzyme in mice. Importantly, hippocampal METTL14 over-expression alleviated the SI-induced depression/anxiety-like and impaired cognitive behaviors and enhanced m6A level and synaptic related genes expression.

Enhanced Medical Education for Physically Disabled People through Integration of IoT and Digital Twin Technologies

This research presents an innovative approach to revolutionize IoT service development in medical education, specifically designed to empower individuals with physical disabilities. By integrating digital twin technology, we offer dynamic virtual representations of tangible assets, facilitating real-time simulation, monitoring, and feedback. A unique visual response algorithm has been developed to enhance the processing of visual vector data, resulting in a more efficient IoT service development process. Our method demonstrates superior performance over traditional techniques, particularly in achieving higher intrinsic variable merging values, which is critical for accurate and accessible visualization. The practical applications of this technology are highlighted through case studies that demonstrate how physically disabled students can benefit from interactive and immersive educational experiences. For instance, students can engage with the digital twins of medical equipment, allowing them to practice procedures and gain hands-on experience in a virtual environment without physical barriers. This approach not only improves accessibility but also personalizes learning experiences, adapting to the unique needs of each student. The research underscores the importance of inclusive design in developing IoT services, ensuring higher inclusivity rates and addressing diverse learning patterns. The findings suggest that the integration of IoT and digital twin technologies can significantly enhance medical education, making it more accessible, effective, and inclusive for physically disabled individuals. This study lays the groundwork for future advancements in this field, highlighting the potential for ongoing technological innovations to further transform medical education.

Visual object detection system based on augmented reality and steady-state visual evoked potential

This study investigates a brain-computer interface (BCI) system based on an augmented reality (AR) environment and steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP). The system is designed to facilitate the selection of real-world objects through visual gaze in real-life scenarios. By integrating object detection technology and AR technology, the system augmented real objects with visual enhancements, providing users with visual stimuli that induced corresponding brain signals. SSVEP technology was then utilized to interpret these brain signals and identify the objects that users focused on. Additionally, an adaptive dynamic time-window-based filter bank canonical correlation analysis was employed to rapidly parse the subjects' brain signals. Experimental results indicated that the system could effectively recognize SSVEP signals, achieving an average accuracy rate of 90.6% in visual target identification. This system extends the application of SSVEP signals to real-life scenarios, demonstrating feasibility and efficacy in assisting individuals with mobility impairments and physical disabilities in object selection tasks.

Social and Psychological Effects of Tennis on Disabled Individuals

Disability has traditionally been mainly conceptualized individually or medically. In a social perspective disability can be identified as a 'disadvantage or limitation of activity' caused by a contemporary social organization that takes little or no account of persons with physical disabilities and excludes them from participation in social activities. This study focuses on the effects of sports, specifically tennis, on disabled individuals. In this respect, the research purposes to examine the social and psychological impacts of tennis on disabled individuals. The phenomenology technique, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. 17 wheelchair tennis players, 10 men and 7 women, who played in the International Wheelchair tennis tournaments held in Antalya between 16 November and 5 December 2023, participated in the research. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using the thematic analysis. The data obtained from the study were themed under the umbrella of life routine, social and psychological impact, with the coding made as a result of the interviews. Under the theme of life routine, it was seen that issues such as personal development, sense of accomplishment, getting life in order, holding on to life, accepting disability, and health literacy were emphasized. Socialization, social support, commitment, new friendships, and communication skills stand out as values coded under the social impact theme. Self-confidence, happiness, coping with pressure and stress, controlling emotions, focusing, and feeling valuable are the subheadings of the psychological impact theme.

Collaborative practices for children with medical complexities and their families: A scoping review

Objective This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of collaborative practices for children with medical complexities and their families by life stage.Methods This scoping review was conducted based on the JBI scoping review manual using the PubMed, CINAHL, and Medical Journal databases. Search terms included "collaboration," "intersectoral collaboration," "children with medical complexity," and "children with special healthcare needs," whereas control words included "children with special healthcare needs," "children with medical care," "children with severe mental and physical disabilities," and "children with severe mental and physical disabilities." The inclusion criteria were articles in Japan that reported on practices for children (aged 0-18 years) with medical care needs and collaboration among other multiple professions, research articles, excluding review and protocol articles, and English or Japanese articles. For the analysis, collaboration-related practices were extracted from selected papers, categorized based on similarities in content, and further summarized according to the life stage. Three researchers discussed the selection of papers, data extraction, and analysis until a consensus was reached.Results The analysis included 30 papers (27 Japanese and three English papers). Regarding publication year, 14 papers were published within the last 3 years. Additionally, 19 case and 26 practice reports and 11 studies (quantitative research; one, qualitative research; 10) were published by professionals. Regarding collaborative practices, 160 cases were extracted and classified into nine. In "discharge support," practices in all subcategories were reported for preschoolers, whereas only two of the five subcategories were reported for school-aged children. Contrastingly, in the "maintenance phase in preschool, daycare, and school," preschoolers reported practices in two of the seven subcategories. Additionally, various professionals from the fields of medicine, welfare, education, and administration were involved in the collaboration.Conclusion There were differences in the reporting of collaborative practices at each life stage. Although numerous professionals were involved, reports of collaborative practices among them were unevenly distributed. Eventually, it will be necessary to investigate the nature of collaborative practices among various professionals, focusing on children and their families.

Effects of track-based stair climbing robot on muscle activity, usability, and psychological anxiety: a preliminary study

This study investigated the effects of using the LiftCar-150 track-based stair-climbing robot on muscle activity, usability, and psychological anxiety. While stair-climbing robots enhance mobility for individuals with physical disabilities, existing research has predominantly focused on engineering perspectives, with limited attention to user-centered outcomes. Ten healthy participants and an 80 kg dummy rider completed stair-climbing tasks at slow (5 m/min) and fast (7 m/min) speeds. Muscle activity in the middle trapezius (MT), erector spinae (ES), multifidus (MF), gluteus maximus (Gmax), gluteus medius (Gmed), and anterior deltoid (AD) muscles was recorded by electromyography. Usability was evaluated in terms of safety, efficiency, and satisfaction using a 5-point Likert scale, while psychological anxiety was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10. Results showed that during stair ascent, activities of the back extensors (ES and MF) and gluteus muscles (Gmax and Gmed) significantly increased compared to descent, while anterior deltoid activity was higher during descent. Usability scores averaged 4.05 for stability, 4.1 for efficiency, and 3.7 for satisfaction. Perceived psychological anxiety scores were 4.2 ± 0.3 and 5.4 ± 0.5 at slow speed, and 3.5 ± 0.2 and 5.7 ± 0.4 at fast speed during ascent and descent, respectively. While operators recognized the robot’s stability and efficiency, satisfaction levels were neutral, and specific muscle activation was increased. These findings provide essential insights into optimizing the design and usability of stair-climbing robots to better address user needs.

The Impact of an Intervention Program Based on Range of Motion Training for Special Education Teachers

This study aims to develop a range of motion-based exercise material for special education teachers in Makassar, Indonesia. The material is designed to improve the motor skills of students with physical disabilities, particularly those with cerebral palsy. The research consists of two main parts: conclusion and recommendation. The conclusion highlights the importance of developing exercise materials that cater to the needs of students with physical disabilities. The study finds that the existing materials are inadequate, and teachers require a more comprehensive guide to provide optimal learning experiences for their students. The developed material consists of a teacher's guide, a learning objective outline, and a lesson plan. The material is validated by two experts and is deemed valid and practical. The study also analyzes the effectiveness of the developed material in improving the motor skills of students with cerebral palsy. The results show that the material can increase the flexibility of students' movements, although the improvement is not significant. The students' positive responses to the learning process also indicate the effectiveness of the material. Based on the findings, the study recommends further development of the material to improve its comprehensiveness and effectiveness. The study also suggests that the material can be used as a reference for improving the quality of special education in Indonesia. Additionally, the study recommends that the government consider using the developed material in special education schools to provide better learning experiences for students with physical disabilities.

The impact of the pandemic on physical and functional disabilities in children and adolescents with spina bifida.

Retrospective and cross-sectional study. The study aimed to carry out telemonitoring to identify the impact of the pandemic on physical and functional disabilities in children and adolescents with SB, as reported by their caregivers, and to investigate adherence to a teleservice. Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMRP-USP). Retrospective and cross-sectional study. Fifty-three patients with SB (mean age 12.0 (4.0) years; 23 males) participated in the telemonitoring. A questionnaire - 'Health management, health conditions, rehabilitation, interest in teleservice, and the well-being of the main caregiver' - investigated the clinical impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Only three caregivers participated in the teleservice (video call). According to telemonitoring, 62% of the patients discontinued physiotherapy sessions, and 69% reported needing adjustments in locomotion devices. The main complaints were muscle weakness and pain. We monitored general health and identified demands related to physical rehabilitation using telemonitoring in 42.4% of children and adolescents with SB monitored at the HCFMRP-USP. Telemonitoring and teleservice may be methods used for monitoring health conditions in patients with SB.

Electric Wheelchair Manufacturing Analysis For Physical Disabilities Reviewed from the Aspect of Ergonomics

The high rate of physical disability is a trigger and spur in the development of research/research for people with disabilities to help with their daily activities, one of which is with a wheelchair. There is a sense of concern to see manual wheelchairs used daily by people with physical disabilities, especially with their abnormal hands and feet, so it becomes a problem in itself because they are quite tricky and tired of pedaling a manual wheelchair. This condition impacts their work productivity, thereby reducing their income/economy. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to manufacture electric wheelchairs belonging to two people with physical disabilities (i.e., belonging to Bagus and Huda). The ergonomics tests are carried out, including (a) Compatibility of the anthropometry of the user's body and the dimensions of the wheelchair, (b) Results of the user's postural analysis with RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) (c) Conformity of the dimensions of the wheelchair with the standard, and (d) Evaluation of the usability of the wheelchair based on observation. The results obtained for the Bagus electric wheelchair are from the anthropometric side. The popliteal height is longer than the distance between the seat and the footrest in the wheelchair. For Bagus to be more comfortable in using his wheelchair and for his legs not to be crooked (which will potentially cause more excellent musculoskeletal disorders), it is recommended that the distance between the seat and the footrest be extended. As for Huda electric wheelchairs, in general, they have been modified to adjust to the needs and conditions of Huda's body and make the design of Huda wheelchairs more ergonomic. However, the postural analysis showed that the forearm position was raised, and the hand was twisted when Huda operated the electric wheelchair controller. It is, therefore, recommended to lower the position of the controller in line with the wheelchair mount.

The Church’s Role in the Social Integration of Physically Handicapped Individuals: A Theological Perspective

For a very long time, the Church has been a major force in creating a sense of belonging and support for underprivileged populations, including people with physical impairments. This paper examines the theological underpinnings of the Church’s support of social integration and how these ideas have been applied to assist those who are physically disabled. Based on theological discourse, ecclesiastical concepts, and biblical teachings, the study emphasizes the Church’s moral duty to advance inclusiveness, equality, and dignity. It examines different Christian faiths’ past and current endeavours to create outreach campaigns, programs, and structural modifications to accommodate people with disabilities. In addition, the study looks at how the Church might work with governments and civil society organizations to build inclusive and sustainable communities. Through this investigation, the research hopes to provide a theological and practical framework for enhancing the social integration of people with physical disabilities within the Church and the larger community.

Sarcopenia is attenuated by mairin in SAMP8 mice via the inhibition of FAPs fibrosis through the AMPK-TGF-β-SMAD axis

Sarcopenia has become a prominent health problem among the elderly because of its adverse consequence, including physical disabilities and death. Fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) exhibit adipogenic and fibrogenic potencies and regulate skeletal muscle development, which plays important role in sarcopenia. Mairin, as an ingredient of Astragalus membranaceus, has the effect of anti-fibrosis. Therefore, we predicted that mairin targeted the fibrosis of FAPs and then affected sarcopenia. To verify our ideas, mairin (30 mg/kg/day or 60 mg/kg/day) was given to senescence accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8) mice by oral administration. Aging led to loss of weight, skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function, and an increase in muscle atrophy and fibrosis, while mairin administration inhibited physiological decline caused by aging. Similarly, mairin (20 μM or 40 μM) treatment enhanced FAP proliferation but blocked the differentiation into fibroblasts. Mechanically, mairin played an anti-fibrotic role via AMP-activated protein kinase-transforming growth factor beta-drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein (AMPK-TGF-β-SMAD) axis, as evidenced by increased phosphorylation of AMPKα and decreased TGF-β and phosphorylated-SMAD2/3. In addition, the potential target genes of mairin were explored by mRNA sequencing in our study. In conclusion, mairin may interfere with the AMPK/TGF-β/SMAD pathway to repress the fibrosis of FAPs and eventually ameliorate sarcopenia.

User Evaluation of a Shared Robot Control System Combining BCI and Eye Tracking in a Portable Augmented Reality User Interface.

This study evaluates an innovative control approach to assistive robotics by integrating brain-computer interface (BCI) technology and eye tracking into a shared control system for a mobile augmented reality user interface. Aimed at enhancing the autonomy of individuals with physical disabilities, particularly those with impaired motor function due to conditions such as stroke, the system utilizes BCI to interpret user intentions from electroencephalography signals and eye tracking to identify the object of focus, thus refining control commands. This integration seeks to create a more intuitive and responsive assistive robot control strategy. The real-world usability was evaluated, demonstrating significant potential to improve autonomy for individuals with severe motor impairments. The control system was compared with an eye-tracking-based alternative to identify areas needing improvement. Although BCI achieved an acceptable success rate of 0.83 in the final phase, eye tracking was more effective with a perfect success rate and consistently lower completion times (p<0.001). The user experience responses favored eye tracking in 11 out of 26 questions, with no significant differences in the remaining questions, and subjective fatigue was higher with BCI use (p=0.04). While BCI performance lagged behind eye tracking, the user evaluation supports the validity of our control strategy, showing that it could be deployed in real-world conditions and suggesting a pathway for further advancements.

Development and Validation of Physical Disability Index and Mental Disability Index and Their Associations With Falls Among Older Adults.

To enhance the precision of measuring, analyzing, and forecasting care needs for older adults with physical and/or mental disabilities, we developed the Physical Disability Index (PDI) and Mental Disability Index (MDI). Furthermore, we evaluated the reliability and validity of the PDI and MDI. Additionally, we investigate their associations with falls to further indicate the predictive validity. A total of 11621 older adults (53.1% women; mean age = 83.2; SD = 10.8) from 23 provinces in China were investigated in 2017-2018 to assess the reliability and validity of the PDI and MDI among older adults aged 65 to 105. Among which, 6071 older adults with both baseline (2017-2018) and follow-up (2021) data were included in analyses to evaluate associations between the baseline health status determined by PDI and MDI and the number and severity of falls at baseline and follow-up. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine internal consistency. The convergent and divergent validity, known-group validity and concurrent validity were assessed. Multinomial logistic regression models were utilized to assess associations. We found satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ≥ 0.70) of the PDI and MDI in the total sample and sex-specific subgroups. Our results support the convergent and divergent validity, known-group validity, and concurrent validity of the PDI and MDI. We also found baseline physical disability and comorbid physical and mental disability are associated with a higher risk of baseline and follow-up falls. The PDI and MDI are reliable and valid instruments to assess physical and mental disability status among older adults, respectively.

Legal Position of the Surrogate as a Substitute For a Signature In a Notarial Deed

A handwritten signature on an authentic deed serves a fundamental legal function as an identifier and acknowledgment to legalize all rights and obligations outlined in the deed. According to the regulation concerning the Notary Public Functional Position (Undang-Undang Jabatan Notaris), an authentic deed must contain the signatures of all parties involved (the notary public, witnesses, and the first and second parties) as mentioned in the deed. However, this regulation can create issues when one of the parties is unable to provide a signature on the authentic deed. This research analyzes how notarial deeds are signed for people who cannot sign. This research is normative legal research using a statutory approach and a conceptual approach. The results of this study show that there are three procedures for using a Surrogate in authentic deeds First procedure: If the individual cannot read or write but has no physical disabilities (they have all their fingers and can make a signature), a fingerprint will be used as the Surrogate. This should be noted and attached to the last page of the authentic deed; Second procedure: If the individual can read and write but has issues with their fingers (due to an injury or the absence of fingers), the Surrogate can be used, but it must be accompanied by an official medical letter from a doctor or hospital. This should also be noted and attached to the last page of the authentic deed. Third procedure: If the individual has visual impairments (is blind), the Surrogate can be used, but it must be accompanied by an official medical letter from a doctor or hospital. This should be noted and attached to the last page of the authentic deed.

Long-Term Functional Outcomes Following Enzymatic Debridement of Deep Hand Burns Using Nexobrid®: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: For years, surgical debridement with autografting has been considered the standard of care in the treatment of severe burns of the hand. However, in recent years, enzymatic debridement has increasingly been reported as a good alternative, especially for burns of the hand, as it selectively preserves viable tissue. In this study, we aim to evaluate the long-term function of the hand after enzymatic debridement in deep dermal burns. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted as well as measurements of subjective and objective outcome measures through physical examination and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), and Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores. Results: A total of 32 enzymatically debrided hands of 24 patients were included with a mean age of 42.4 ± 16.8 years and a mean follow-up of 31 months. Postoperatively, 19 of these could be managed conservatively using skin substitutes such as "Suprathel", 13 had to undergo subsequent autografting. The mean DASH score for the entire study population was eight with a mean value of four in the conservatively managed group and fourteen in the autografted group. The mean Patient, Observer POSAS, and VSS values were nineteen, thirteen, and two. A total of 30 cases showed an effortless complete fist closure, and, also in 30 cases, patients attested to be satisfied with the esthetic appearance of the hand on being asked. Conclusions: The descriptive analysis of these results in our study population suggests that the enzymatic debridement of deep burns of the hand, especially combined with subsequent conservative management with skin substitutes, was associated with low long-term hand disability scores at a follow-up of two years.

Influence of Parental Support on the Physical Activity Level of Children with Physical Disabilities

ABSTRACT The practice of physical activities is essential for maintaining the health of children and adults. However, among people with disabilities, there is a high prevalence of physical inactivity, especially among children, mainly due to the lack of access to specific programs aimed at their possibilities. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the influence of parental support in the practice of physical activities of children with physical disabilities. Thirty-five children with physical disabilities and their mothers participated in the study. The children and mothers separately answered questionnaires to assess their usual level of physical activity and their perception of parental support for physical activity. The results showed that parental support had a positive relationship with the level of physical activity in younger children. No significant differences were observed in reported and perceived parental support when comparisons were performed according to sex, age group, and type of locomotion. Considering the physical activity level of the mothers, the average result showed an insufficient amount of practice, however the mothers attributed high importance to the physical activity practice of their children.

Legal Consequences of Occupational Accidents in the Construction Industry a Criminal Law Perspective

The increasing number of accidents and losses due to work accidents, as well as potential hazards in the production process, require effective, comprehensive, and integrated Occupational Safety Management in the management of the company. Work accidents are often caused by unsafe activities, which can be caused by lack of knowledge and skills, physical disabilities, fatigue, and unsafe attitudes and behaviors. This study uses normative legal research methods with a statutory approach and a case-based approach. Sources of legal materials used include primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials. The results showed that corporate crimes, including criminal liability of negligent companies in managing worker safety, can result in the loss of workers ' lives. The government has very little control over the implementation of occupational safety laws, and companies are still minimal in capital to improve K3 services for employees. In addition, the lack of publications and information on Occupational Safety and health, especially in rural communities, contributes to the aggravation of this condition.

Chronic health conditions and disability are prevalent among community users of a digital mental health service: a scoping survey

Objectives: Digital interventions can offer accessible and scalable treatment for chronic conditions, though often focus separately on physical or mental health. People accessing digital health services may live with multiple conditions or experience overlapping symptoms. This study aimed to describe the breadth and characteristics of chronic health conditions and self-reported disability among routine users of a digital mental health service, and to examine related motivations to engage with digital mental health interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of adults registered with a digital mental health service in the Australian community (THIS WAY UP) was conducted. Participant demography, chronic health conditions, self-reported disability and motivations for accessing digital treatment were collected and analyzed descriptively. Results: 366 participants responded (77% female, mean age 50 ± 15 years). 71.6% of participants (242/338) reported ≥1 chronic health condition and one-third reported multimorbidity (112/338, 33.1%). Chronic pain, musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders were most common. 26.9% of respondents (90/334) reported a disability, most commonly physical disabilities. 95% of those with chronic conditions reported negative mental health effects and 46% reported heightened interest in digital mental health treatments because of their condition. Primary motivations for digital service use were receiving a recommendation from a health professional and service accessibility. Discussion: People who access digital mental health services in routine care report high rates of heterogenous chronic illness and related disability. There is interest in accessible digital treatments to support mental health at scale among people who live with varied chronic conditions and disabilities.

Successful Electroconvulsive Therapy in Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome Presenting Psychiatric Symptoms: An Unprecedented Clinical Case.

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects the central nervous system and is characterized by severe intellectual and physical disabilities. Although AGS traditionally exhibits nonpsychiatric symptoms, our case challenges this norm by presenting an 18-year-old male with AGS who developed distinctive psychiatric manifestations that required hospital admission.The patient, diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy and thrombotic vasculopathy, displayed abrupt behavioral disturbances, insomnia, and food aversion. Standard assessments revealed basal ganglia calcifications and chilblain-like lesions, and AGS was confirmed via genetic studies that showed a mutation in the SAMHD1 gene. Despite initial treatment with aripiprazole and diazepam, psychiatric symptoms persisted. This led to the initiation of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) with substantial success, marking its first documented use in AGS.In conclusion, this unique case broadens the comprehension of AGS, introducing psychiatric symptoms and pioneering the successful application of ECT. The intricate interplay of neurovascular involvement, genetic nuances, and innovative treatments underscores the complexity of AGS, encouraging further exploration of its diverse clinical spectrum and evolving therapeutic strategies.