scholarly journals Robotic Home-Based Rehabilitation Systems Design: From a Literature Review to a Conceptual Framework for Community-Based Remote Therapy During COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aylar Akbari ◽  
Faezeh Haghverd ◽  
Saeed Behbahani

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the higher susceptibility of post-stroke patients to infection calls for extra safety precautions. Despite the imposed restrictions, early neurorehabilitation cannot be postponed due to its paramount importance for improving motor and functional recovery chances. Utilizing accessible state-of-the-art technologies, home-based rehabilitation devices are proposed as a sustainable solution in the current crisis. In this paper, a comprehensive review on developed home-based rehabilitation technologies of the last 10 years (2011–2020), categorizing them into upper and lower limb devices and considering both commercialized and state-of-the-art realms. Mechatronic, control, and software aspects of the system are discussed to provide a classified roadmap for home-based systems development. Subsequently, a conceptual framework on the development of smart and intelligent community-based home rehabilitation systems based on novel mechatronic technologies is proposed. In this framework, each rehabilitation device acts as an agent in the network, using the internet of things (IoT) technologies, which facilitates learning from the recorded data of the other agents, as well as the tele-supervision of the treatment by an expert. The presented design paradigm based on the above-mentioned leading technologies could lead to the development of promising home rehabilitation systems, which encourage stroke survivors to engage in under-supervised or unsupervised therapeutic activities.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 958-958
Author(s):  
Keith Chan ◽  
Sarah LaFave ◽  
Maggie Ratnayake ◽  
Christina Marsack-Topolewski ◽  
Jillian Graves ◽  
...  

Abstract There is a growing population of older adults who are living longer and acquiring chronic illness and disabilities, making it difficult for them to complete everyday activities and age in place. More than 2 million of these older adults are homebound and 5 million need help leaving their homes. They experience social isolation, food insecurity, and lack of connection to community resources which has intensified since the pandemic. Integrative service learning models can provide home-based support to older adults while offering valuable, hands-on learning experiences for students. This study examined findings for a community-based program which trained university students to provide practical home-based support for older adults and their caregivers. Data was collected for 109 older adults who were connected with student trainees. Students provided services with groceries, companionship, and help accessing needed services. Findings from t-test results using the UCLA Loneliness Scale indicated that older adults reported less loneliness after engagement with students (mean difference = 6.15, t = 3.14, df = 82, p < 0.01). Qualitative process data suggested that older adults benefited from services and a connection to their assigned students prior to and during the pandemic. Student trainees reported that the experience enriched their learning and reaffirmed their commitment to working with older adults. Community-based service learning can address home-based needs of older adults and their caregivers and enhance learning opportunities for students. Policies and practice can support a pipeline of geriatric health professionals through innovative service learning models to benefit older adults, caregivers and students.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiko Iyamu ◽  
Yandiswa Ngqame

Background: Personal information about individuals is stored by organisations including government agencies. The information is intended to be kept confidential and strictly used for its primary and legitimate purposes. However, that has not always been the case in many South African government agencies and departments. In recent years, personal information about individuals and groups has been illegally leaked for other motives, in which some were detrimental. Even though there exists a legislation, Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act, which prohibits such malpractices, illegally leaked information has however, not stopped or reduced. In addition to the adoption of the POPI Act, a more stringent approach is therefore needed in order to improve sanity in the use and management of personal information. Otherwise, the detriment that such malpractices cause too many citizens can only be on the increase.Objectives: The objectives of this study were in twofold: (1) to examine and understand the activities that happen with personal information leaks, which includes why and how information is leaked; and (2) to develop a conceptual framework, which includes identification of the factors that influence information leaks and breaches in an environment.Method: Qualitative research methods were followed in achieving the objectives of the study. Within the qualitative methods, documents including existing literature were gathered. The activity theory was employed as lens to guide the analysis.Result: From the analysis, four critical factors were found to be of influence in information leaks and breaches in organisations. The factors include: (1) information and its value, (2) the roles of society and its compliance to information protection, (3) government and its laws relating to information protection and (4) the need for standardisation of information usage and management within a community. Based on the factors, a conceptual framework was developed.Conclusion: This study can be used to guide implementation of information protection acts in any environment. It empirically contributes to societal awareness on how and why personal information is leaked and breached. Also, it will benefit academic domain, particularly in the use of activity theory.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Tagliavini ◽  
Andrea Botta ◽  
Luca Carbonari ◽  
Giuseppe Quaglia ◽  
Dario Gandini ◽  
...  

Abstract In this paper, a novel mobile platform for assistive robotics tasks is presented. The machine is designed for working in a home environment, un-structured and possibly occupied by people. To work in this space, the platform must be able to get rid of all the consequent difficulties: to overpass small objects as steps and carpets, to operate with an as-high-as-possible dynamics, to avoid moving obstacles, and to navigate autonomously to track persons for person monitoring purposes. The proposed platform is designed to have an omni-directional mobility that improves the manoeuvrability with respect to state-of-the-art differential drive robots. It also will have a non-axisymmetric shape to easily navigate narrow spaces, and real-time edge computing algorithms for navigation. This work shows the design paradigm adopted for the realization of a novel mobile robot, named Paquitop. For a robust output, the design process used a modular approach which disjointed the several sub-systems which compose the machine. After a brief analysis of the expected features, a set of basic requirements are drawn to guide the functional and executive design. The overall architecture of the platform is presented, together with some details on the mechanical and electrical systems.


1993 ◽  
Vol 163 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Burns ◽  
Alan Beadsmoore ◽  
Ashok V. Bhat ◽  
Andrew Oliver ◽  
Carola Mathers

While research has shown community-based psychiatric care to be as good as, or better than, hospital-based care, generalisation to clinical practice has been difficult. This prospective, randomised controlled study examined a community-based approach feasible within NHS conditions. Ninety-four patients were randomly allocated to experimental and 78 to control treatments and followed for one year. The groups were well matched apart from an excess of psychotic control patients. No differences in clinical or social functioning outcome were found. Both groups improved substantially on clinical measures in the first six weeks, with some slow consolidation thereafter. There were three suicides in the control group and one in the experimental group. Access to care was better in the experimental group (93% attended assessment) than in the control group (75% attended assessment).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley E. Kim ◽  
Elisabeth Brandstetter ◽  
Naomi Wilcox ◽  
Jessica Heimonen ◽  
Chelsey Graham ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionWhile influenza and other respiratory pathogens cause significant morbidity and mortality, the community-based burden of these infections remains incompletely understood. The development of novel methods to detect respiratory infections is essential for mitigating epidemics and developing pandemic-preparedness infrastructure.MethodsFrom October 2019 to March 2020, we conducted a home-based cross-sectional study in the greater Seattle area, utilizing electronic consent and data collection instruments. Participants received nasal swab collection kits via rapid delivery within 24 hours of self-reporting respiratory symptoms. Samples were returned to the laboratory and were screened for 26 respiratory pathogens and a human marker. Participant data were recorded via online survey at the time of sample collection and one week later.ResultsOf the 4,572 consented participants, 4,359 (95.3%) received a home swab kit, and 3,648 (83.7%) returned a nasal specimen for respiratory pathogen screening. The 3,638 testable samples had a mean RNase P CRT value of 19.0 (SD: 3.4) and 1,232 (33.9%) samples had positive results for one or more pathogens, including 645 (17.7%) influenza-positive specimens. Among the testable samples, the median time between shipment of the home swab kit and completion of laboratory testing was 8 days [IQR: 7.0-14.0].DiscussionHome-based surveillance using online participant enrollment and specimen self-collection is a feasible method for community-level monitoring of influenza and other respiratory pathogens, which can readily be adapted for use during pandemics.


2015 ◽  
Vol Volume 4, Number 1, Special... (Special Issue...) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Foulonneau ◽  
Gaëlle Calvary ◽  
Eric Villain

International audience By their ability to change person's behaviors and attitudes, persuasive technologies appear as promising for overcoming societal challenges. They are based on theories and models from cognitive psychology and social psychology. The earlier works on persuasive technologies, by Fogg, identified many persuasive principles to influence user's behaviors and attitude, and thus useful for building persuasive systems. Studies on persuasive technologies also bring design methods, architectures, persuasive interfaces, and experimentation in numerous domains. The grand challenge is now to adapt persuasion to the complexity and versatility of each individual, thereby maximizing the persuasive effectiveness. We still have to build plastic persuasive technologies. Les technologies persuasives, par leur capacité à agir sur le comportement et les attitudes des individus, sont une piste prometteuse dans de nombreux domaines, comme pour le traitement des grands défis sociétaux (ex : santé, environnement, …) ou le marketing (ex : inciter l’adoption d’un service, …) qui se présentent à nous. Elles s’appuient sur des résultats obtenus en psychologie cognitive et sociale lors des dernières décennies. Les travaux sur la persuasion technologique, initiés par Fogg à la fin des années 90, ont permis d’identifier de nombreux principes de persuasion sur lesquels les nouvelles technologies peuvent s’appuyer pour influencer le comportement de leurs utilisateurs. Ces travaux ont aussi permis de mettre en œuvre des méthodes de conception, des interfaces persuasives et d’expérimenter la persuasion technologique dans des domaines variés. Le plus grand défi reste maintenant d’adapter la persuasion à la complexité et à la variabilité intra-individuelle et interindividuelle, à la versatilité de chaque individu pour optimiser l’efficacité persuasive. Il nous reste à construire des technologies persuasives plastiques.


Author(s):  
CHRISTOPH UEHLINGER

This chapter explores the potential use of visual sources, together with the methods employed for studying them, such as iconography or iconology, for the history of ‘ancient Israel’. It describes the theoretical and conceptual framework, particularly the notion of ‘eyewitnessing’, and considers the method, particularly iconography. The chapter also presents case examples chosen from monuments which are so well known to historians of ancient Israel that they are well suited to illustrate both the pitfalls of more conventional interpretations and the potential of alternative approaches. Before turning to the sources – namely visual evidence that may be related to the history of ancient Israel and Judah – the chapter discusses the state of the art among fellow historians in neighbouring disciplines, including those belonging to the so-called ‘humanities’ (or arts and letters). It also considers visual art and history, the metaphor of legal investigation, the balancing of testimony, and the particular status of an eyewitness.


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