The pilot study evaluated whether a learning program enhances a positive perception of 3D printing technology in rehabilitation professionals. Physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language-hearing therapists were recruited from a rehabilitation department in a middle-sized hospital. Participants were randomized to the control group ( = 13) or the intervention group ( = 14). An eight-week learning program consisted of a lecture on using a 3D printer and related software, a group discussion to integrate 3D printing into their clinical practices, and the implementation in their workplace. Outcome measures included the perception of 3D printing technology assessed by the Japanese version of the modified Technology Acceptance Model questionnaire for 3D printing technology (TAM-J). Assessment time points were pre-and post-intervention. As a result, all participants in the intervention group became capable of producing 3D-printed customized assistive devices. In the within-group analyses, the intervention group showed significant improvements in the TAM-J perception ease of use score ( = 0.012) with a large effect size ( = 0.75). Between-group analyses showed that the intervention group gained an additional improvement in the TAM-J perception ease of use score ( = 0.027) with a moderate effect size ( = 0. 43), indicating a significant improvement in the perceived ease of use of 3D printing technology in the intervention group. These observations suggest the 3D printing learning program could provide rehabilitation professionals with a positive perception of the technical aspect of 3D printing in their workplace.

After a stroke, older adults may encounter social stigma due to their disability and age. This can cause emotions of shame, low self-esteem, and social isolation. The use of assistive devices can make the stigmatizing conditions even more difficult. This study attempts to establish a conceptual framework for designing wheelchairs that can help reduce stigma and improve the well-being of older people with lived experience of stroke. The study utilized the research question construct classification to identify three primary research questions. To address these questions, a bibliographic search was performed using Scopus, Web of Science databases, and PubMed. Articles were selected based on their relevance to the development of wheelchairs and their focus on reducing stigma or enhancing well-being for post-stroke older adults. Seventy articles were chosen to be meticulously reviewed and categorized into sub-themes. This categorization led to the creation of a comprehensive synthesis summary to address each question. The results are further synthesized to formulate a potential theoretical proposition for future investigation. The results suggest enhancing wheelchair design focusing on visibility, symbolism, usefulness, aesthetics, and adaptability through user empowerment and cultural interventions that can effectively reduce stigma, thereby improving the well-being, self-competence, and life quality of post-stroke older adults. The findings offer a design framework for wheelchair innovation specifically aimed at reducing the stigmatizing conditions to improve the well-being of post-stroke older adults through an interdisciplinary perspective. This study suggests further research to explore specific design strategies for wheelchair innovation across various contexts and cultures.

Focusing on individuals with visual impairment, this study investigated the effects of spatial learning using tactile maps on orientation accuracy by path integration in physical and mental imagery walking scenarios.

Occupational therapists in the Veterans Health Administration have transitioned from in-person to videoconferencing for home assessments, benefiting Veterans living in remote and rural areas. However, videoconferencing has limitations, including restricted field of view and poor video quality, affecting hazard identification accuracy. This study aims to introduce and evaluate a three-dimensional (3D) model as an alternative technology for remote home assessments. We created 3D models using a 360-degree camera and mobile app. Five occupational therapists individually completed virtual training and practice sessions to familiarize themselves with using the 3D model. Each participant then conducted a remote home assessment using the 3D model and completed questionnaires, System Usability Scale (SUS), and semi-structured interviews. Participants spent an average of 10 min training and practicing with the 3D model, and most reported either maintaining or gaining confidence in using it compared to before. All participants successfully completed the assessments, which took an average of 17 min. They rated the 3D model as easy to use, with an average SUS score of 78.5. Participants preferred the 3D model over videoconferencing, noting that it effectively addressed current challenges, and expressed their willingness to integrate it into clinical practice. This study demonstrates that 3D models offer a promising option for remote home assessments. With minimal training, occupational therapists could conduct more effective assessments. It is recommended to use 3D models for an initial understanding of the home environment before videoconferencing-based assessments to enhance the remote assessment experience for occupational therapists and clients.

Manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) face challenges in wheelchair skill training (WSTr) due to the complexity of learning advanced skills and limited access to rehabilitation services. This review aims to summarize existing WSTr methods for individuals with SCI/disabilities and propose the use of Augmented Reality (AR)-enhanced Immediate Visual Feedback (ARe-IVF) learning modules for wheelie and curbing skill training.

Assistive technology (AT) is crucial for aiding activities of daily living in individuals with visual impairment; yet, without systematic follow-up device abandonment rates remain high. This scoping review synthesizes existing literature on follow-up processes in individuals with visual impairment undergoing vision rehabilitation with AT. Employing the Arksey and O'Malley framework, this review comprehensively searched seven databases, identifying 1,061 articles, of which 43 were selected for analysis, using the concepts of and The publications span from 1989 to 2022. Most studies ( = 36, 83%) utilized a mixed-methods design, and 51% ( = 22) originated from the United States. Devices for near vision were the most commonly prescribed type of AT. Follow-up methods included questionnaires and interviews, with most follow-ups conducted at the client's home. Follow-up timing varied across studies, whereby 37% ( = 16) occurred after one or more years and 33% ( = 14) between one week and four months. Three categories of outcome measures emerged: generic outcomes, task-specific outcomes, and a combination of both. The review identified several gaps in the literature, including a scarcity of research concerning follow-up of AT particularly for both the type and timing of follow-up.

Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) is a genetically linked disorder characterized by the progressive deterioration of muscles controlling facial and scapular movement. The severity and distribution of affected muscle groups vary significantly across patient demographics, necessitating diverse assistive approaches.

No tools or technologies exist to inform data-driven inspection schedules for wheelchairs. To develop such a schedule, this study identifies risk factors linked with manual wheelchair damage, part failures, and consequences and evaluates preferences for a new wheelchair servicing technology. A mixed methods study was performed with manual wheelchair users at The Ohio State University Martha Morehouse Clinic. Demographic data, wheelchair information, failure counts, and consequences suffered by the user were collected using surveys. Wheelchair usage was collected for a month using a sensor. A servicing smartphone app that connects with the sensor was demonstrated as a new servicing technology, and participant preferences were recorded. Thirty participants completed the survey testing procedures. Twenty-three collected usage data and eighteen collected it for over a week. At least 215 wheelchair part failures with an average of 13.4 ± 14.8 self-reported part failures and 4.7 ± 4.8 high-risk failures occurred in 12 months before the first study visit. Two weeks of collected data from 18 participants showed that normalised road shocks, age, and weight were associated with the condition of wheels and frames, as well as self-reported caster failures. Participants responded with a favourable preference for the new wheelchair servicing technology, with more than half of them interested in buying and using it. Risk factors like road shocks and user's age and weight are associated with part damage towards failures and self-reported failures that risk injury. These factors can be modelled to develop and test the efficacy of wheelchair inspection schedules.

The relationship between children and their caregivers is essential for the development of social, emotional, cognitive, and linguistic skills. This is especially critical for children with complex communication needs who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), as parents play a crucial role in supporting AAC integration within the home. However, communicating with a child who uses AAC does not come naturally and requires the learning of several specific skills. Various training programs have shown that, with appropriate training, parents and caregivers can develop the skills necessary to become effective communication partners and support the use of AAC at home. This paper analyzes the overlap between existing parent training programs in AAC to identify the core competencies essential for parents and caregivers to become effective communication partners. By extracting these fundamental skills, this paper aims to guide practitioners in the design of effective parent training sessions. Key strategies include responsivity, environmental arrangements, wait time, aided modeling, prompting, and appropriate feedback.

This study aimed to explore the effect of new software targeting naming deficits in Turkish-speaking people with aphasia. The study included seven Turkish people with aphasia. These participants took the Aphasia Language Assessment Test (ADD), Turkish Picture-Naming Test (T-RAT), and Technology Familiarity Assessment, and the words for therapy were determined. The selection of categories and words for inclusion in the application was based on the frequency and typicality features. The 12-week speech-language treatment sessions were divided into two sections. During the first six weeks, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) used the software to train people. After the first part, the SLP applied the T-RAT. Participants utilized the software at home in the second part. All participants took the ADD, T-RAT, and Software Evaluation Questionnaire following the second part. Participants' naming abilities improved in all tests. Both therapy sessions with the SLP and those in which participants used the program independently demonstrated this improvement. Participants also reported high levels of treatment satisfaction. Cueing hierarchy approaches used in the software helped to improve naming skills in people with aphasia (PWA), independent of type, stage, or severity of aphasia. The findings of this study indicate that both sessions directed by an SLP and independent use of the software by participants can positively impact the therapy process with the developed software.

Virtual reality training (VRT), a fun, inexpensive and accessible technology, has the potential to improve activities of daily living (ADL) and functional status in older adults. The potential impact of VRT can be increased through group-based training. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of group- based VRT on ADL and functional outcomes in older adults over 65 years of age. Forty-three older adults included in the study were randomized into three groups (group- based VRT, individual VRT and control group). VRT was performed with Xbox 360 Kinect twice a week for 8 weeks. Each session lasted 45 min. Physical activity level, satisfaction level with physical activity, mood, mobility and balance performance, functional exercise capacity and ADL were evaluated. 36 people completed the study. A significant group × time interaction was found in Timed Up and Go test (TUG) (F [2, 57] = 8.60; η= 0.004, P= <.001) and in Single Leg Stance Test (SLST)) (F [2, 57] = 5.69; η= 8.509 × 10, P= <.007). After 8 weeks group- based VRT showed better scores in overall TUG ( < .001) and SLST (= .015), whereas individual VRT and control group did not exhibit significant changes. Our results suggested that 8 weeks group- based VRT could improve mobility and balance performance in older adults.

There is a growing body of evidence on practical applications of three-dimensional (3D) printing to support the rehabilitation of individuals with sensory impairments. However, applications in the field of deafblindness, or the combination of vision and hearing impairment, remain scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore actual and potential applications of 3D printing in deafblindness rehabilitation from the perspective of rehabilitation professionals in two focus group discussions that involved orientation and mobility specialists, vision rehabilitation specialists, audiologists, and braille technicians. Participants exchanged on 1) 3D printing applications to address their clients' rehabilitation needs, 2) factors that can impact its integration into their practice, and 3) the ideal logistics for producing and delivering 3D printed products. Educative models and functional adaptations were identified to improve communication, learning, mobility, and independent living skills for individuals with deafblindness. Professionals agreed that the main barriers limiting 3D printing adoption were linked to time constraints and insufficient awareness or knowledge about this technology, while the most crucial facilitator was the promotion of interdisciplinary collaborations with 3D printing experts. The present findings thus emphasize the need for global collaborations, knowledge dissemination, and ongoing research and validation of 3D printing applications to support individuals with deafblindness.

Children with intellectual disabilities struggled to perform basic tasks in the educational platform due to their deferred learning pace and individual challenges. To assist such needs, the child's individual education program (IEP) team, spearheaded by the school administrators, continues to offer supplementary educational technologies. However, selecting an appropriate technology does not follow an objective system, making the decision process tedious and unreliable. Therefore, this paper provides a new perspective on analyzing the educational technologies for children with intellectual disabilities with respect to design factors that also constitute the technical specifications and ergonomic principles of technology design. To analyze the educational technologies, fuzzy best-worst method (BWM) and fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method are employed in a case study in the Philippines. Results reveal that user perception is the most important design factor to be considered when selecting educational technology for children with disabilities. Furthermore, the adaptive educational platform has been found to best fit the needs of children with autism.

This study aimed to describe the nature of interactions between health care professionals and a young adult with autism spectrum disorder with limited speech during an inpatient stay. An observational study was conducted to describe the interactions between a young adult on the autism spectrum and 14 of his inpatient health care providers. Naturalistic video-recordings were taken, and behavioral coding was completed to measure the frequency and type of communication turns taken. The providers took 93% of conversational turns. Most provider turns (76%) were non-obligatory in nature and did not invite the young adult to engage in turn-taking. The young adult only had access to his communication system during one of the 27 interactions (4%); however, when he had access to his system, he demonstrated higher levels of turn-taking. Health care providers should offer patients with limited speech more communicative turns, provide adequate wait time, and ensure communication systems are available during all inpatient interactions.

Despite the considerable health and economic burden of disability in the South Asian (SA) region, there is limited evidence of impairments and disabilities prevalence and the need for Assistive Technologies (ATs). This scoping review aims to synthesise the evidence of the impairments and disabilities in SA countries. This review followed Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. EBSCOhost, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched for original research articles from SA countries. In this study, impairment and disability refer to functional limitations restricting individuals from performing activities, including visual, hearing, speaking, cognitive, mobility, and self-care difficulties. The review included full-text, English-language articles addressing any impairment and disability, without restrictions on publication date. This review identified 105 articles distributed over the six impairment and disability domains: visual, hearing, mobility, self-care, speaking, and cognitive. Most evidence originated from India (50.5%) and focused on visual impairments (53.3%). The review identified that heterogeneity in methodologies, case identification definitions, and study settings contributed to variations in prevalence estimation and restricted the comparability within and across countries. Besides, the uneven distribution of studies across countries suggests varying inclinations of countries toward specific impairment and disability domains. The review identified variations in prevalence due to differences in methodologies, definitions, and contexts. The review also identified the uneven distribution of studies, limited evidence on ATs, reliance on self-reported data, and lack of nationally representative research. Future research should use standardised case identification and evidence-based approaches to enhance comparability and minimise response biases.

The main aim of this study was to compare sitting pressure (peak pressure index (PPI) and peak pressure gradient (PPG)) between a daily wheelchair and fixed-frame handcycle, thereby assessing the effect of handcycle backrest angle, movement intensity and cushion type. Twenty able-bodied participants performed static and dynamic (two intensities) tests in a wheelchair and handcycle. A honeycomb wheelchair cushion and standard foam handcycle cushion were used. Handcycle backrest angles were 45° and 60°. The PPI and PPG at the sacro-coccygeal (SC) and ischial tuberosity (IT) regions were determined with a pressure mat. PPI at the IT-region was higher in the 60° handcycle condition than in the wheelchair ( = 0.04), while PPG at the IT-region did not differ significantly between the wheelchair and handcycle conditions ( > 0.05). PPI and PPG were higher at the 45° handcycle SC-region compared to the wheelchair IT-region ( < 0.03). PPI and PPG at the IT-region were higher with the 60° than with the 45° backrest angle ( < 0.01), while at the SC-region PPI was higher with the 45° backrest angle ( = 0.047). No clear influence of movement intensity was found. PPI and PPG at the IT-region and PPI of the SC-region in the handcycle were significantly lower with the wheelchair cushion than with the handcycle cushion ( < 0.01). Overall, sitting pressure was higher in the handcycle compared to the daily wheelchair. For handcyclists using an upright position, it is recommended to use a cushion designed to redistribute pressure, thereby reducing internal tissue pressure and shear.

People with visual impairments commonly rely on the use of a white cane to navigate and avoid obstacles. Although this analog tool is highly reliable and easy to use, its drawback is the impossibility to anticipate obstacles beyond reach and routes, as well as obstacles above waist level. Electronic travel aids (ETAs) and sensory substitution devices (SSDs) are new technological solutions designed to enhance the tactile and/or auditory capabilities to access the information needed to overcome those drawbacks. In the present study, 25 individuals with visual impairments used the T-Sight, a vibrotactile SSD, and/or the white cane in a navigation task involving obstacle avoidance. While the performance achieved with the device, measured by the number of collisions and walking speed, did not surpass the white cane, the SSD did have a positive impact on ambulation. Participants reduced the number of white cane touches towards environmental obstacles and performed obstacle avoidance maneuvers earlier. These results demonstrate the potential of vibrotactile devices to address the limitations of the white cane.

As technologies continue to advance, designing wearable exoskeletons that are comfortable, safe, reliable, and engaging for users is an arduous task. The integration of HCD principles in exoskeleton development significantly contributes to ensuring that the product meets the needs and preferences of users. This study systematically reviews the application of human-centred design (HCD) principles in the development of wearable exoskeletons. It synthesizes existing literature, identifies key HCD concepts and assesses their impact on exoskeleton usability, comfort, and safety. The findings of the study revealed a moderate application of HCD in many of the studies; however, the concepts were found to play a crucial role in enhancing the usability, safety, and comfort of wearable exoskeleton technology implementation. Challenges revealed in the study include limited stakeholder involvement, a lack of standardized evaluation metrics, non-consideration of ethical, legal, and social issues, and a lack of studies on the potential adverse effects of exoskeleton use. Besides identifying the challenges faced in integrating HCD principles into exoskeleton development, the study also proposed pragmatic approaches to overcome them. The study underscores the significance of incorporating human-centred design principles in the design and development of wearable exoskeletons. This has implications for industry, rehabilitation, health, and agriculture to churn out positive outcomes. The research contributes to the expanding literature on wearable exoskeletons and HCD, offering valuable insights into the advancement of this technology in various domains and suggesting areas for future studies to address identified gaps.

. Unaided (e.g., speech and gestures) and aided (e.g., symbol corpuses) communication modes facilitate older adults' expression and comprehension. Adults aged 65 years and above constituted 18.27% of Taiwan's total population in 2023; hence, prioritizing high-quality healthcare for older adults becomes critical. Commercial symbol corpuses, such as Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) and Voice Symbols (VS), play a vital role in aiding older adults with expression and comprehension in Taiwan. Previous studies on iconicity and preference of symbol corpuses have primarily been conducted in Western and South Asian cultural communities. However, these findings may not apply to all Asian communities. Hence, studies investigating these aspects in specific communities are needed. Through quantitative nonexperimental observations, we explored the iconicity of and preference for PCS and VS among 30 healthy older adults in Taiwan. . A total of 12 practice words and test words each, familiar to the participants and socially and culturally validated, were selected for the developed VS-PCS iconicity and preference measurement. Verbal choices were made to select one line drawing in both measurements. . The findings revealed that VS is significantly more transparent and preferred than PCS. Accounting for the iconicity of and preferences for symbol corpuses is pivotal for symbol selection.

Contemporary technologies, such as mainstream and specialised Assistive Technologies (ATs), are seen as effective. However, there is a noticeable gap between technological progress and the ability to customise these technologies to meet the unique needs and characteristics of neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the Autism Spectrum and people with Intellectual Disability (pwID).

This study aimed to explore the potential of a mobile health (mHealth) application (app) to support the delivery of a fall prevention and management program, Individualized Reduction of FaLLs (iROLL), for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and multiple sclerosis (MS) who use wheelchairs and scooters (WC/S) full-time by seeking end-users' input into the functioning and ongoing design of the iROLL-O + mobile app. Two focus group discussions included nine adults with SCI or MS who used a WC/S for at least 75% of mobility, who experienced at least one fall in the past three years and have internet and access to an internet-capable device. One group had prior iROLL experience ( = 4); while the other had none ( = 5). The focus groups examined the app's usefulness, accessibility, appearance, and ease of use. The participants with prior iROLL experience also discussed how the app would enhance their experience with the program. Thematic analysis revealed five app-related themes: perceived usefulness, perceived usability, accessibility, appearance, and enhancement of the iROLL experience, with participants providing actionable suggestions for improvement. Participants with previous exposure to the iROLL program emphasized the app's potential to facilitate flexible access to the program and expand its reach to a wider audience. The iROLL-O + app was perceived positively, especially with respect to the enhancement of users' access and experience with the program. Focus group findings will inform ongoing app development for optimized usability and reduced likelihood of technology abandonment.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONEnd-users' impressions of the Individual Reduction of faLLs Online application (iROLL-O + app) highlight the potential for integrating mHealth apps in fall prevention and management education efforts, offering a promising and accessible avenue to support the delivery of tailored programs.The study notes that the app facilitates flexible access and wider reach to the program, indicating the importance of incorporating features that enhance accessibility and accommodate the diverse needs of individuals who use wheelchairs and scooters.Actionable suggestions provided by participants underscore the importance of a user-centered design approach in developing rehabilitation-related mobile apps.