Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology
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Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol · Jan 2016
The Cerebral Palsy Kinematic Assessment Tool (CPKAT): feasibility testing of a new portable tool for the objective evaluation of upper limb kinematics in children with cerebral palsy in the non-laboratory setting.
Efficacy of treatment to improve upper-limb activity of children with cerebral palsy (CP) is typically evaluated outside clinical/laboratory environments through functional outcome measures (e.g. ABILHAND kids). This study evaluates CPKAT, a new portable laptop-based tool designed to objectively measure upper-limb kinematics in children with CP. ⋯ CPKAT provides a potential solution for home-based assessment of upper limb kinematics in children with CP to supplement other measures and assess functional intervention outcomes. Further validation is required. Implications for Rehabilitation This paper demonstrates the feasibility of evaluating upper limb kinematics in home using CPKAT, a portable laptop-based evaluation tool. We found that CPKAT is easy to set-up and use in home environments and yields useful kinematic measures of upper limb function. CPKAT can complement less responsive patient reported or subjectively evaluated functional measures for a more complete evaluation of children with cerebral palsy. Thus, CPKAT can help guide a multi-disciplinary team to more effective intervention and rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy.
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Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol · Jan 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialDevelopment and evaluation of an air mattress structure and function for reducing discomfort when elevating the head-of-bed.
To develop a new structure and function of alternating pressure air mattress (APAM) which reduces discomfort during head-of-bed (HOB) elevation and evaluate the effectiveness. ⋯ In this study, we developed a new APAM to reduce discomfort during HOB elevation and confirmed its effectiveness. Implications for Rehabilitation A positive correlation exists between the external force and the discomfort that arises during head-of-bed (HOB) elevation, and a mattress could be developed to reduce the discomfort by decreasing the external force. A new alternating pressure air mattress (APAM) with a low friction layer structure and novel control of mattress air-cell pressure that responds to HOB elevation angle can reduce discomfort during HOB elevation. This new APAM should allow more comfortable rehabilitation in bed-bound patients with mobility impairments.
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Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol · Jan 2015
Clinical TrialWomen with fibromyalgia's experience with three motion-controlled video game consoles and indicators of symptom severity and performance of activities of daily living.
Little is known of Motion-Controlled Video Games (MCVGs) as an intervention for people with chronic pain. The aim of this study was to explore the experience women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) had, using commercially available MCVGs; and to investigate indicators of symptom severity and performance of activities of daily living (ADL). ⋯ This study demonstrated MCVG as an effective healthcare intervention for the women with FMS who completed the program, with regards to temporary pain relief and enjoyable low impact exercise. Implications for Rehabilitation Exercise is recommended in the management of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). People with FMS often find it counterintuitive to exercise because of pain exacerbation, which may influence adherence to an exercise program. Motion-controlled video games may offer temporary pain relief and fun low impact exercise for women with FMS.
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Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol · Jul 2014
Cognitive support technologies for people with TBI: current usage and challenges experienced.
We investigated the current use of off-the-shelf cognitive support technologies (CSTs) by individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), the challenges they and their caregivers face when using these technologies, the functional areas where support is needed, and their current experience in learning new technologies. ⋯ People with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are attempting to use a wide range of consumer available technologies to support cognition, although not always successfully. One important role for rehabilitation providers could be helping people with TBI use these technologies with more accuracy and success. People with TBI note that an important element in adopting new technology is good training in its use. Cognitive support technologies (CSTs) are one part of broader network of supports. People with TBI and their caregivers desire independence but do not want to lose the human element that can be provided by a caregiver. New technologies should be implemented with an understanding of an individual's broader support network. Psychosocial aspects of TBI need to be considered when designing and implementing CSTs. In particular, rehabilitation providers need to address the anxiety that many people with TBI experience, including fear about forgetting and their need for early, repeated reminders so they can prepare for upcoming events.
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Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol · May 2014
Influence of orthotic gait training with powered hip orthosis on walking in paraplegic patients.
Gait training has been shown to improve the walking performance of spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients. The use of powered hip orthoses (PHO) during gait training is one approach which could potentially improve rehabilitative outcomes for such subjects. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the influence of a PHO on the kinematics and temporal-spatial parameters of walking by SCI patients. ⋯ Powered hip orthosis could be used by spinal cord injury patients. A major advantage of the orthotic gait training with powered hip orthosis was regeneration of hip movement closer to that of normal human walking. The orthotic gait training with the powered hip orthosis improved the kinematics and temporalspatial parameters in a spinal cord injury patient which also produced near-normal hip joint angle patterns during gait.