Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology
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Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol · Jul 2020
Cross-cultural adaptation of wheelchair skills test (version 4.3) for wheelchair users and caregivers to the Portuguese language (Brazil).
Objective: To perform cross-cultural adaptation of the Wheelchair Skills Test of manual wheelchair users and their caregivers into the Brazilian Portuguese language. Methods: The study was composed of translation, synthesis of translations, back-translation, review by an expert committee and pre-test, when the test was applied in the target population. Included were translators, subject specialists and coordinators to carry out the cross-cultural adaptation process, and manual wheelchair users and their caregivers with at least six months of wheelchair experience for the pre-test. ⋯ Implications for rehabilitationThe need to use wheelchair (WC) properly has made clinicians and rehabilitation professionals more concerned with assessing and training users' abilities with their WC. Cross-cultural adaptation allows for the linguistic modification of the original language of the evaluation tool into a new language and enables the comparison of research results in different countries. Immediate use of the instrument for WC users and caregivers in Brazil, both for evaluation and for training, is necessary and may be a means for rehabilitation professionals to improve their evaluations, their treatments and optimize the skills that aim at independence.
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Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol · Jun 2020
Prioritization of patients access to outpatient augmentative and alternative communication services in Quebec: a decision tool.
Purpose: A large number of people living with a chronic disability wait a long time to access publicly funded rehabilitation services such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services, and there is no standardized tool to prioritize these patients. We aimed to develop a prioritization tool to improve the organization and access to the care for this population. Methods: In this sequential mixed methods study, we began with a qualitative phase in which we conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 stakeholders including patients, their caregivers, and AAC service providers in Quebec City, Canada to gather their ideas about prioritization criteria. ⋯ IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILIATIONStudies in Canada have shown that people in Canada with a need for rehabilitation services are not receiving publicly available services in a timely manner. There is no standardized tool for the prioritization of AAC patients. In this mixed methods study, we co-developed a prioritization tool with key stakeholders for prioritization of patients who are referred to AAC services in a rehabilitation center in Quebec, Canada.
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Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol · Feb 2020
ReviewGeospatial assistive technologies for wheelchair users: a scoping review of usability measures and criteria for mobile user interfaces and their potential applicability.
Background: Wheelchair users are increasingly using route planners and navigation systems to help them get around the city. The absence of a list of usability criteria for wheelchair user-centred design and recommending geospatial assistive technologies creates uncertainty about the choices to be made by rehabilitation clinicians and geographic information systems specialists. The aim of this study was to compile such a list by identifying usability criteria from standardized questionnaires linked to user interfaces and geospatial assistive technologies (GATs). ⋯ Clinicians should have in mind that WC users want to plan a route with as few obstacles as possible. Information on the screen should be accessible to WC users (text, contrast, symbols, graphics, photos, voice, vibration, route views). Hands are occupied with the hand rims, WC users would prefer "listen to verbal" instructions to continue their route instead of looking on their electronic device. 34 criteria are specific for route planning and navigation task.
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Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol · Feb 2020
Methodology and feasibility of a 3D printed assistive technology intervention.
Three-dimensional (3D) printing now allows rehabilitation professionals to design and manufacture assistive technologies in a few hours. However, there is limited guidance for researchers and clinicians for implementing 3D printing assistive technology interventions and measuring their outcomes. The goal of this study was to develop a standardized 3D printing assistive technology intervention and a research methodology, using pillboxes as an example. ⋯ Evaluation of outcomes should include satisfaction with the device and a functional measure.3D printed assistive technology interventions should include the collaboration between the assistive technology professional and client. It should also include device training. Future 3D printing research studies should report pragmatic data including printing device, time to print, and number of errors.
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Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol · Nov 2019
Comparative StudyPost-discharge use of assistive devices following hemiarthroplasty: comparison of fracture patients with or without hip precautions.
Purpose: To describe which types of assistive devices prescribed and actually used, either due to precautions or due to true functional reasons, after hip fracture-related hemiarthroplasty. Materials and methods: About 394 patients cluster-randomized 2010-2014 at a university hospital. Control group with standard postoperative precautions to reduce dislocations, mandatory assistive devices and knee brace for 6 weeks (in cognitively impaired) compared to non-precaution group with assistive devices only if needed. ⋯ The evidence base for such precautions is weak and occupational therapy and assistive devices may be costly. The current study shows that prescriptions and instructions from occupational therapists in hospital is more or less not follow after dismissal. Assistive devices should be prescribed based on the hip fracture patient's true functional needs, and not routinely or due to arthroplasty precautions.