Powerful Mobile Devices Research Articles

Quantifying Parental Perceptions of Their Experiences With Their Young Children's Use of Power Mobility Devices.

To quantify and explore parental perceptions of their experiences with their child's use of the Explorer Mini (EM) and a modified ride-on car (mROC) in young children with cerebral palsy. Data were gathered throughout a multisite, randomized, counterbalanced AB crossover 16-week clinical trial, wherein all participants used device A (EM) and device B (mROC) for 8-weeks each. Semistructured parent interviews were conducted at baseline (T0), post-intervention period 1 (T1), and post-intervention period 2 (T2). The Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program was used to objectively analyze the transcribed interviews. Twenty-four child-parent dyads participated in the study. Parental perceptions were related to children's gross motor abilities, cognitive development scores, and device use order (EM-mROC or mROC-EM). Parents were positive about a potential means of helping their children. While most preferred the EM, opinions were contingent on the PM device, device use order, and child-centered factors.

AMEsobreRuedas Early Powered Mobility in Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type I: Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Young children with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1) have limited independent mobility and participation that may lead to cognitive development delays. Implementing early powered mobility in interventions may help them to learn self-initiated movement, play, and having fun to participate in natural settings. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an early power mobility intervention for increasing participation, functional ability, and quality of life in young children with SMA1. Methods: AMEsobreRuedas is a randomized waiting list controlled clinical trial. A sample of 24 children (10 months-5 years old, with SMA1) will be randomly allocated to two groups. The experimental group will perform a family-centered intervention with powered mobility for 16 weeks in their natural environment: a 12-week-structured program three times a week; and a 4-week follow-up with free use of the powered mobility device. The control group (waiting list) will keep their routine and will receive the same intervention after the experimental group. Five assessments will be carried out at baseline and weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16. Primary outcomes are participation (YC-PEM); functional ability (PEDI-CAT); and quality of life (PedsQL-Neuromuscular module). Results: It is expected that this study will provide further knowledge about the positive impact of powered mobility for the analyzed variables. Moreover, family engagement in the intervention and establishment of functional goals may help to add valuable information about real needs in future research. Conclusions: Early powered mobility could increase the opportunities for children with SMA1 to learn to move independently and participate in their natural environment.

Comparing Powered Wheelchair Driving Characteristics of Real Driving and Two Types of Simulated Driving.

We aimed to gather evidence on the feasibility of using simulator-based driving assessments for prescribing powered mobility devices (PMDs). Therefore, we compared the driving characteristics of real driving and two types of simulated driving. Thirty participants with difficulty walking more than 100 meters independently were enrolled. We developed a full-cabin and desktop simulator and created driving scenarios that closely resembled a real driving route in a park. They participated in three separate driving sessions, each using a powered wheelchair, full-cabin simulator, and desktop simulator. The driving characteristics, such as driving distance, mean speed, and standard deviation (SD) of speed, were obtained and analyzed to assess differences and correlations. Statistically significant differences were found in the driving distance and the SD of speed, respectively. However, for the mean speed, there was no statistically significant difference among the three types of driving. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the driving distance was 0.154, which was not statistically significant. However, for mean speed, the ICC was 0.752, indicating a strong correlation. The ICC for the SD of speed was 0.562, indicating a moderate correlation. We demonstrated that the two types of simulators have characteristics that are similar to real-world driving characteristics. The mean speed showed the highest similarity, and the SD of the speed showed a moderate degree of similarity. These results highlight the significant potential of employing simulator-based driving to evaluate the use of PMDs.

Initial fidelity of a powered mobility intervention: a case report

ABSTRACTBackgroundPowered mobility devices include any battery-operated and motorized device such as powered wheelchairs or modified ride-on cars. Off-the-shelf and battery-operated ride-on cars are modified through installation of a large and easy-to-press activation switch and custom seating support to facilitate greater accessibility for children with motor disabilities. Powered mobility devices are used in pediatric rehabilitation interventions and may be used during adapted physical education. However, reporting of powered mobility intervention fidelity is largely absent in the literature.Conceptual approachThis case report uses a multi-dimensional construct for measuring intervention fidelity and includes four key areas (a) adherence, (b) dosage, (c) quality of intervention delivery, and (d) participant responsiveness.PurposeThe purpose of this case report was to assess initial powered mobility intervention fidelity in a single caregiver–child dyad through adherence, dosage, inter-rater agreement of adherence and dosage, quality of intervention delivery, and participant responsiveness.MethodThis case report describes initial powered mobility intervention fidelity that included delivery of three, 2-h intervention sessions over a 3-week period to a caregiver and their child with motor disabilities. Intervention sessions were planned for at least 90 min and included three components: (1) Driving observation (at least 10 min); (2) Problem-solving discussion (at least 20 min); and (3) Education module (at least 60 min). Adherence and dosage and inter-rater agreement of adherence and dosage were assessed through a fidelity checklist. Quality of Intervention Delivery was assessed through a feedback survey that the caregiver completed following each intervention session. Participant Responsiveness was assessed through education module review questions.ResultsAll fidelity domains were successful when scores and percentiles were averaged across the three intervention sessions: Adherence: 90%; Dosage 100%; Inter-Rater Agreement of Adherence (88%) and Dosage (100%); Quality of Intervention Delivery: 95%; Participant Responsiveness: 100%.ConclusionPowered mobility intervention fidelity is critical to advance the field across practice settings including clinical, research, and physical education. Powered mobility studies generally lack any measurement or discussion about intervention fidelity. This creates a significant challenge in replicating research studies or translating research to practice when delivery of intervention components is not documented. Powered mobility interventions in young children with motor disabilities provide a foundation of mobility skills for them to participate in physical education during their school-age years. Therefore, an important first step is to understand the fidelity of powered mobility interventions. There remains limited research in the physical education context of students who use powered mobility devices and offers future directions to impact physical educators’ pedagogical strategies for children with motor disabilities.

Initial validation of the powered mobility device autonomy residential screen (PoMoDARS)

Background The Powered Mobility Device Autonomy Residential Screen (PoMoDARS) is a new tool to enable clinicians to screen resident capacity and performance skills for powered mobility device (PMD) use in residential aged care settings. The PoMoDARS is context specific, time efficient and promotes resident autonomy and safety. Aims To (i) undertake initial face and content validation of the PoMoDARS, and (ii) use the research findings to make any modifications. Methods A mixed-methods study design, underpinned by Classical Test Theory. Eight clinicians completed 20 PoMoDARS screens and provided both quantitative and qualitative feedback on item importance and ease of use within a formal interview. Results Initial face and content validity of the PoMoDARS were supported, with small modifications made to item descriptors and instructions. Conclusions The PoMoDARS has been developed for use in residential aged care settings to screen resident PMD use. While initial validation has been undertaken, further studies to determine the reliability of the tool and continue the validation process are required. Significance Older adults in residential aged care facilities benefit greatly from the autonomy gained through PMD use. The PoMoDARS promotes collaboration between occupational therapists, nurses, and the wider team to support residents and safe PMD use.

Supported standing and stepping device use in young children with cerebral palsy, gross motor function classification system III, IV and V: A descriptive study

ABSTRACT This study described and compared use of supported-standing and stepping devices by young children with cerebral palsy, Gross-Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III-V following power mobility introduction. Data was collected at two time-points, 5–6 months apart, for 42 participants, aged 18–80 months, using the Home Use of Technology for CHildren (HUTCH). Supported-standing and stepping device choice and time in each device remained stable over 6 months. Associations between device use and three functional classifications were examined. Children with more impaired motor, postural and manual abilities were more likely to use a supine stander rather than a prone/upright stander or no stander. Children at GMFCS V tended to use hands-free stepping devices, while support-arms stepping devices were more common for children at GMFCS IV. Only children at GMFCS III used convertible stepping devices. Using power mobility, standers and supported-stepping devices was feasible and 19/34 classified at GMFCS IV/V used all three devices over 6 months. A key finding was that introduction of power mobility did not reduce use of supported-stepping devices at any GMFCS level. Use of multiple upright positioning and mobility devices may assist children with limited mobility to be actively engaged and participate in daily life.

Doing disability activism through the embodied experiences of creative practice: participating in a community art exhibition

Creative practice is frequently being deployed in research by cultural geographers. This article explores one such deployment, centering on a participatory community art exhibition titled ‘Wheelability’. The exhibition was organized by non-disabled geographers for people who use powered mobility devices in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. The article illustrates the distinctive contribution art can make to disability mobility justice. It uses the personal stories and mobile creative expressions of one co-researcher and their carer to explore how engaging in creative activities provides opportunities to understand the emotional aspects of everyday mobility challenges and what emotions can do. Thinking through the emotional geographies of a mobile form of creative practice allows us to illustrate how dominant social norms are confirmed, ruptured, and reconfigured by the co-researcher. In conclusion, we discuss the implications of creative practices for conducting geographical research that promotes justice for individuals with mobility disabilities.

Mundane powered wheelchair journeys and embodied rural disability geographies of (not) belonging

This article addresses the gap in the literature on disabled people's experiences of everyday journeys by powered wheelchairs in rural contexts. As a contribution to a rural disability geography, this paper embraces the feminist notion of ‘embodied belongings’ to interpret the relationships between ideas, things, mobility, and advocacy. The paper draws on qualitative data collected through mobility life narratives from 15 disabled people who roll powered mobility devices in rural New South Wales. In a context where each rural municipal authority requires a disability inclusion plan, we argue that everyday powered wheelchair journeys produced contradictory feelings around belonging. We argue that feelings of belonging produced by powered wheelchair journeys in rural contexts are often predicated on notions of disability shame that reinforce normative identities and ideologies aligned with conventional discourses of independence that privilege solitary encounters. At the same time, most participants actively chose to become disability advocates from fleeting feelings of not belonging produced by powered wheelchair journeys that included disability parking, accessible footpaths, Wheelchair Accessible Taxis as well as accommodations and modifications around steps.

Preliminary Data: Powered Mobility Intervention With Language Monitoring for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Purpose: Adapted ride-on cars offer an affordable mobility intervention that provides broader access to a child's environment. Such newfound independence is a unique opportunity to examine changes in environmental language and communicative participation as children acquire mobility. New technologies such as the Language Environmental Analysis (LENA) system hold promise for evaluating naturalistic language interactions but have not yet been applied to children with cerebral palsy with physical and/or communication impairments. This study sought to use LENA with a sample of children with cerebral palsy to determine the feasibility of monitoring environmental language patterns during longitudinal mobility intervention. Method: LENA's adult word counts, conversational turns, and child vocalizations were compared across three time points for participants aged 16–49 months with a range of communication skills (indexed by Communication Function Classification System Levels I–IV). Results: Feasibility was established with acceptable criterion validity during active drive time. Results had large effect sizes, likely diluted by sample size and heterogeneity. Conclusions: Limitations include small sample size, nonprescriptive use of powered mobility devices, and lack of control group. Future studies should incorporate these features to more closely examine communication patterns.

Exploring the use of powered mobility devices and occupational participation for people with obesity.

The increasing prevalence of obesity is a global issue with the World Health Organization estimating that more than 650 million adults are impacted by obesity. Those living with obesity are impacted by both physical and psychological issues. The physical consequences of living with obesity can lead to decreased mobility and reduced occupational participation. The aim of this research is to understand how the use of a powered mobility device influences occupational participation and quality of life from the perspective of people with obesity. Semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 7) were undertaken with a phenomenological approach to gain an understanding of the lived experience of using a powered mobility device. Thematic analysis occurred resulting in inter-connected themes that describe the positive experiences associated with using a powered mobility device: (1) autonomous mobility; (2) enhanced occupational participation; and (3) improved self-efficacy creates increased confidence in relation to participation. In addition, two themes emerged that were barriers to usage of powered mobility devices: (4) physical environmental barriers and (5) difficulty transporting the powered mobility device. For those with obesity, a powered mobility device provided autonomous mobility allowing them to engage in an increased range of activities. This was hampered by physical environmental barriers and difficulties transporting the powered mobility device. Further research is required to verify the results of this study with a wider population and to explore the benefits and barriers to use of a powered mobility device in the home and community.

Caregiver perspectives on powered mobility devices and participation for children with cerebral palsy in Gross Motor Function Classification System level V.

To describe caregiver experiences, perceptions, and device preferences between a modified ride-on car (MROC) and an Explorer Mini, including perceived changes in participation, barriers, and benefits for young children with cerebral palsy (CP) classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level V. A subset of data were analyzed from a larger multisite study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 caregivers of children with CP in GMFCS level V across a 16-week trial with two mobility devices. Each interview was audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using constant comparison methods. Seven of 10 caregivers preferred the Explorer Mini over the MROC. Four themes emerged. One related to the perceived benefits and barriers of each device (ease and convenience is essential) and three related to perceived changes in participation: (1) autonomy enacted through mobility; (2) belonging and being present; and (3) participation recognized as an area of growth. Despite limited consideration of powered mobility for this population, caregivers of children in GMFCS level V reported similar benefits and barriers compared to children in other GMFCS levels shown in the literature. Particularly, caregivers perceived positive changes in their child's participation and recognized the ability for continued improvements in participation when using powered mobility. Children with cerebral palsy classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System level V are often excluded from powered mobility use and research. Despite this, caregivers reported positive experiences for their children. Caregivers felt that participation in powered mobility led to increased autonomy and overall sense of inclusion and belonging for their children. Most caregivers preferred the Explorer Mini over the modified ride-on car but recognized that both devices had benefits and barriers to use.

SELF-SUSTAINED POWER FOR MOBILE DEVICES: A STEPPER MOTOR-DRIVEN SOLUTION

This study introduces a self-sustained power solution for mobile devices using a stepper motor-driven mechanism. The objective is to ensure reliable power supply during critical situations when traditional sources are unavailable. A prototype device was designed and experimentally evaluated.The device utilizes a stepper motor as a generator, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy through a hand crank. A full bridge rectifier transforms the generated alternating current into direct current compatible with mobile devices. A battery serves as the primary power storage, enabling energy accumulation.Experimental testing verified the device's performance. Mobile devices, including cellphones, laptops, and routers, were connected to assess charging capabilities. The results demonstrated successful charging, providing dependable power during outages and inaccessible charging methods.The findings establish the stepper motor-driven self-sustained power device as a practical emergency power solution. It empowers individuals to maintain communication channels and power mobile devices during critical situations, enhancing resilience. Its versatility and portability ensure effectiveness in diverse locations where conventional power sources are unreliable.In conclusion, this study presents a novel self-sustained power solution employing a stepper motor-driven mechanism. Experimental results confirm its capability to charge mobile devices, supporting communication and resilience during emergencies. The device has significant potential to benefit individuals and communities, providing reliable power and improving emergency response and communication capabilities.

SUPPORTING STUDENT LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS WITH AUGMENTED REALITY EXPERIENCE

AbstractThe large availability of powerful mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, enables the location-independent use of augmented reality (AR) technology for various application areas with considerable added value. For example, AR experiences can be used to support students in laboratory courses during experiment preparation and execution to ensure a safe process and significantly improve the learning success. In addition, digital learning success controls can be realized with the extension of a database connection. In this paper, an AR-experience for the experiment of standing transverse and longitudinal waves is developed for the laboratory course of experimental physics. Finally, the effectiveness is tested with an evaluation by the students.

Powered mobility device use in residential aged care: a retrospective audit of incidents and injuries

BackgroundPowered wheelchairs and motorised mobility scooters, collectively called powered mobility devices (PMD), are highly valued by older Australians, including those living in residential care, to facilitate personal and community mobility. The number of PMDs in residential aged care is expected to grow proportionally with that of the wider community, however, there is very little literature on supporting residents to use PMDs safely. Prior to developing such supports, it is important to understand the frequency and nature of any incidents experienced by residents whilst using a PMD. The aim of this study was to determine the number and characteristics of PMD use related incidents occurring in a group of residential aged care facilities in a single year in one state in Australia including incident type, severity, assessment, or training received and outcomes on follow-up for PMD users living in residential aged care.MethodsAnalysis of secondary data, including documentation of PMD incidents and injuries for one aged care provider group over 12 months retrospectively. Follow-up data were gathered 9–12 months post incident to review and record the outcome for each PMD user.ResultsNo fatalities were recorded as a direct result of PMD use and 55 incidents, including collisions, tips, and falls, were attributed to 30 residents. Examination of demographics and incident characteristics found that 67% of residents who had incurred incidents were male, 67% were over 80 years of age, 97% had multiple diagnoses and 53% had not received training to use a PMD. Results from this study were extrapolated to project that 4,453 PMD use related incidents occur every year within Australian residential aged care facilities, with the potential for outcomes such as extended recovery, fatality, litigation, or loss of income.ConclusionThis is the first time that detailed incident data on PMD use in residential aged care has been reviewed in an Australian context. Illuminating both the benefits and the potential risks of PMD use emphasizes the need to develop and improve support structures to promote safe PMD use in residential aged care.

Using a virtual reality power mobility device simulator to assess the driving skills of people with brain diseases.

No previous study has explored the effectiveness of current prescription standards for evaluating power mobility device (PMD) maneuverability. To verify the current prescription standards for PMDs using a virtual reality (VR)-based PMD simulator and to present the possibility of using a VR-based PMD simulator as an alternative to current evaluation standards. A total of 52 patients with brain diseases were enrolled. All participants were over 18 years old and had gait disturbance or limited outdoor walking ability. Participants performed a driving ability test using a VR PMD simulator. The driving ability test using the VR PMD simulator indicated that cognitive impairment, measured by the K-MMSE (p = 0.017), and unilateral neglect, measured by line bisection (p = 0.031), led to reduced driving ability and safety. In addition, patients with cognitive impairment or neglect presented driving stability problems, which were observed in the driving trajectory. There was also no correlation between driving scores and MBI subitems. In patients with brain lesions, a driving ability test using a VR PMD simulator can be a safe, objective method for comprehensively evaluating a driver's capacity, offering an alternative to the current prescription standards for PMDs.

Powered Mobility Device Use and Developmental Change of Young Children with Cerebral Palsy

Mobility is a fundamental human right and is supported by the United Nations and the ON Time Mobility framework. The purpose of this study was to understand the effect of a powered mobility intervention on developmental changes of children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study was a randomized, crossover clinical trial involving 24 children (12-36 months) diagnosed with CP or with high probability of future CP diagnosis based on birth history and current developmental status. Children received the Explorer Mini and a modified ride-on car in randomized order, each for 8 weeks. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-4th Edition was administered at baseline, mid-study, and end-of-study. Raw change scores were used for analysis. Total minutes of use per device was categorized as low or high use for analysis based on caregiver-reported driving diaries. Explorer Mini: The high use group exhibited significantly greater positive change scores compared to the low use group on receptive communication, expressive communication, and gross motor subscales (p < 0.05). Modified ride-on car: No significant differences between low and high use groups. Regardless of device, low use was associated with no significant developmental change and high use was associated with positive developmental changes. Mobility access is critical to maximize the development of children with CP and may be augmented by using powered mobility devices. Results may have implications for the development of evidence-based guidelines on dosage for powered mobility use.

DCEC: D2D-Enabled Cost-Aware Cooperative Caching in MEC Networks

Various kinds of powerful intelligent mobile devices (MDs) need to access multimedia content anytime and anywhere, which places enormous pressure on mobile wireless networks. Fetching content from remote sources may introduce overly long accessing delays, which will result in a poor quality of experience (QoE). In this article, we considered the advantages of combining mobile/multi-access edge computing (MEC) with device-to-device (D2D) technologies. We propose a D2D-enabled cooperative edge caching (DCEC) architecture to reduce the delay of accessing content. We designed the DCEC caching management scheme through the maximization of a monotone submodular function under matroid constraints. The DCEC scheme includes a proactive cache placement algorithm and a reactive cache replacement algorithm. Thus, we obtained an optimal content caching and content update, which minimized the average delay cost of fetching content files. Finally, simulations compared the DCEC network architecture with the MEC and D2D networks and the DCEC caching management scheme with the least-frequently used and least-recently used scheme. The numerical results verified that the proposed DCEC scheme was effective at improving the cache hit ratio and the average delay cost. Therefore, the users’ QoE was improved.

Secure cloud-based mobile apps: attack taxonomy, requirements, mechanisms, tests and automation

AbstractThe adoption and popularization of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, accentuated after the second decade of this century, has been motivated by the growing number of mobile applications, which can solve problems in different areas of contemporary societies. Conversely, the software development industry is motivated by the increasing number and quality of resources that mobile devices possess nowadays (e.g., memory, sensors, processing power or battery). While powerful mobile devices do exist, one of the main driving factors behind the increase of resources is the usage of Cloud technology, which strongly complement mobile computing. As expected, the adoption of measures to mitigate security issues has not accompanied the growth and speed of development for Cloud and Mobile software, to ensure that these are resilient to attacks by design. Aiming to contribute to decrease the gap between software and security engineering, this paper presents a deep approach to attack taxonomy, security mechanisms, and security test specification for the Cloud and Mobile ecosystem of applications. This is also the first time an encompassing and conjoined approach is provided for attack taxonomy and specification of security tests automation tools for this ecosystem.

Task Scheduling with Altered Grey Wolf Optimization (AGWO) in Mobile Cloud Computing using Cloudlet

Mobile devices can improve their battery life by offloading their tasks to a nearby cloudlet instead of executing tasks on the mobile device. Because mobile devices have low-speed processors, small-size memory, and limited battery. As the mobile devices are moving, they are connected and disconnected from the cloudlets. So, their tasks are offloaded to the new cloudlets and also migrated from one cloudlet to another until the tasks finish their execution. Scheduling these tasks in the cloudlet will reduce the tasks' execution time and the mobile device's power consumption using this proposed new method (AGWO). The GWO algorithm is modified to accept the inputs from a two-dimensional array instead of sequence inputs and search for the prey within the two-dimensional array instead of an unknown circle area. This method deals with the arrival time of the task, task size, and big task. The migration of the partially executed task dynamically to other VMs is also examined. This proposed method also reduces the average scheduling delay and increases the percentage of requests executed by the cloudlet than other variations of GWO and other research algorithms.

On the feasibility of simple brain-computer interface systems for enabling children with severe physical disabilities to explore independent movement.

Children with severe physical disabilities are denied their fundamental right to move, restricting their development, independence, and participation in life. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) could enable children with complex physical needs to access power mobility (PM) devices, which could help them move safely and independently. BCIs have been studied for PM control for adults but remain unexamined in children. In this study, we explored the feasibility of BCI-enabled PM control for children with severe physical disabilities, assessing BCI performance, standard PM skills and tolerability of BCI. Patient-oriented pilot trial. Eight children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy attended two sessions where they used a simple, commercial-grade BCI system to activate a PM trainer device. Performance was assessed through controlled activation trials (holding the PM device still or activating it upon verbal and visual cueing), and basic PM skills (driving time, number of activations, stopping) were assessed through distance trials. Setup and calibration times, headset tolerability, workload, and patient/caregiver experience were also evaluated. All participants completed the study with favorable tolerability and no serious adverse events or technological challenges. Average control accuracy was 78.3 ± 12.1%, participants were more reliably able to activate (95.7 ± 11.3%) the device than hold still (62.1 ± 23.7%). Positive trends were observed between performance and prior BCI experience and age. Participants were able to drive the PM device continuously an average of 1.5 meters for 3.0 s. They were able to stop at a target 53.1 ± 23.3% of the time, with significant variability. Participants tolerated the headset well, experienced mild-to-moderate workload and setup/calibration times were found to be practical. Participants were proud of their performance and both participants and families were eager to participate in future power mobility sessions. BCI-enabled PM access appears feasible in disabled children based on evaluations of performance, tolerability, workload, and setup/calibration. Performance was comparable to existing pediatric BCI literature and surpasses established cut-off thresholds (70%) of "effective" BCI use. Participants exhibited PM skills that would categorize them as "emerging operational learners." Continued exploration of BCI-enabled PM for children with severe physical disabilities is justified.