Development of assistive technology and its function for people with disability

Author(s):  
Lukáš Siegel

People with disabilities face various forms of barriers in society. Even daily activities are diffi cult to handle. Multiple varieties of assistive tools are being created to overcome these daily barriers. We count among these wheelchairs or exoskeletons, but there are other forms of assistive technology (designed for a particular type of disability) that help people with their disabilities. Th e aim of the thesis is to analyze the progress of the assistive technology that helps with disabilities and its role in modern society. Our primary source will be a book Disability, Society and Assistive Technology (2017) by Bodil Ravneberg and Sylvia Söderström. In their work, they show a close connection between assistive technologies and the quality of life of a person with a disability.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S330-S330
Author(s):  
George Mois ◽  
Tiffany R Washington ◽  
Jenay M Beer

Abstract Many of the challenges that often accompany longevity can affect older adults’ quality of life (QOL). Adoption of an assistive technology ecosystem presents the potential to alleviate these challenges and improve QOL. An assistive technology ecosystem refers to the use of multiple assistive technologies to address a set of challenges affecting single or multiple characteristics of older adults’ QOL. However, little is known how technology can influence characteristics of older adult’s QOL. The purpose of this study was to investigate how using technology can improve older adults QOL. Data from the 2016 wave of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) were analyzed using four logistic regression models. The sample included are older adults age 65+ (N=5,488). The dependent variables used in this study were QOL indicators such as self-confidence, continue improving life, likes living arrangement, and self-determination. The variables used to measure technology included computer, cell phone, tablet, and internet use. Older adults who used the internet had significantly higher odds of reporting self-determination (OR=1.68), like living arrangement (OR= 1.97) and continue improving life. Tablet users had significantly higher odds of continuing to improve their life (OR= 1.249) and increased self-determination (OR= 1.174). Cellphone users had significantly higher odds of having self-confidence (OR= 2.814). These findings support the need for a network of resources accessed through an ecosystem of technologies to address the challenges encountered by older adults aging in place. This study’s findings can inform technology education programs, interventions, and assist with the development of support networks.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Elgendy ◽  
Cecilia Sik-Lanyi ◽  
Arpad Kelemen

People with visual impairment face various difficulties in their daily activities in comparison to people without visual impairment. Much research has been done to find smart solutions using mobile devices to help people with visual impairment perform tasks like shopping. One of the most challenging tasks for researchers is to create a solution that offers a good quality of life for people with visual impairment. It is also essential to develop solutions that encourage people with visual impairment to participate in social life. This study provides an overview of the various technologies that have been developed in recent years to assist people with visual impairment in shopping tasks. It gives an introduction to the latest direction in this area, which will help developers to incorporate such solutions into their research.


2022 ◽  
pp. 173-195
Author(s):  
Donatella Ciarmoli

Persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) may present a loss of cognitive functioning, memory impairments, communication difficulties, obstacles to perform daily activities, disorientation, and challenging behaviours. Currently, there is no cure for AD. However, there are valid treatments to alleviate AD-related symptoms and to reduce the burden on carers; for example, the effectiveness of the use of assistive technology (AT) has been seen. The aim was to provide, in this chapter, an overview of the newest empirical evidences available on the use of AT-based programs to improve the independence and the quality of life of patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. A selective literature review was carried out considering Alzheimer's, assistive technologies, dementia, quality of life, and caregivers. Empirical data demonstrated the effectiveness and the suitability of the AT interventions allowing participants to improve their quality of life, as well as to mitigate the mental and physical burden of their caregivers.


Author(s):  
Yu. V. Antonova ◽  
A. M. Iskandarov ◽  
I. B. Mizonova

Introduction.Coccygodynia is a multidisciplinary disease which is diffi cult to treat. It seriously limits the ability to work and signifi cantly affects the quality of life of patients. The study of somatic dysfunctions in patients with coccygodynia and the analysis of the results of osteopathic treatment of such patients makes it possible to justify the necessity of osteopathic correction of coccygodynia.Goal of the study— to determine the structure of the leading somatic dysfunctions in patients with coccygodynia and to study the effectiveness of osteopathic treatment of this pathology.Materials and methods.The study involved 44 patients from 25 to 65 years old, randomly divided into two groups. The main group of 24 people (20 women and 4 men) received osteopathic treatment, in accordance with the identifi ed leading somatic dysfunctions. Patients of the control group (16 women and 4 men) were treated locally with soft manual techniques (the treatment area was limited by the pelvic region). In order to assess the results of the treatment, we examined the intensity of the pain syndrome and the psycho-emotional state of patients. The severity of the pain syndrome was assessed in accordance with the visual analogue scale (VAS). The psycho-emotional state (with physical and mental components) was assessed with the help of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire.Results.Somatic dysfunctions typical for patients with coccygodynia have been identifi ed. Osteopathic treatment has proven to be more effective in comparison with local manual therapy of coccygodynia both in early periods and in 3 months after the end of the treatment course.Conclusion.Osteopathic treatment of post-traumatic coccygodynia is effective, and can be recommended for treatment of such patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175628642199399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Wundes ◽  
Sibyl Wray ◽  
Ralf Gold ◽  
Barry A. Singer ◽  
Elzbieta Jasinska ◽  
...  

Background: Diroximel fumarate (DRF) is a novel oral fumarate approved for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). DRF demonstrated significantly improved gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability versus dimethyl fumarate (DMF) with fewer days of Individual Gastrointestinal Symptom and Impact Scale (IGISIS) scores ⩾2, GI adverse events (AEs), and treatment discontinuations due to GI AEs. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of GI tolerability events on quality of life (QoL) for patients with relapsing–remitting MS who received DRF or DMF in EVOLVE-MS-2. Methods: A post hoc analysis was conducted in patients who were enrolled in the randomized, blinded, 5-week, EVOLVE-MS-2 [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03093324] study of DRF versus DMF. Patients completed daily IGISIS and Global GISIS (GGISIS) eDiary questionnaires to assess GI symptom intensity and interference with daily activities and work. Results: In total, 504 patients (DRF, n = 253; DMF, n = 251) received study drug and 502 (DRF, n = 253; DMF, n = 249) completed at least one post-baseline questionnaire. With DRF, GI symptoms were less likely to interfere ‘quite a bit’ or ‘extremely’ with regular daily activities [IGISIS: DRF, 9.5% (24/253) versus DMF, 28.9% (72/249)] or work productivity [GGISIS: DRF, 6.1% (10/165) versus DMF, 11.3% (18/159)]. DRF-treated patients had fewer days with ⩾1 h of missed work (DRF, 43 days, n = 20 versus DMF, 88 days, n = 26). DMF-treated patients reported highest GI symptom severity and missed work at week 2–3 shortly after completing the titration period, which coincided with the majority of GI-related treatment discontinuations [58.3% (7/12)]. GI tolerability AEs [DRF, 34.8% (88/253); DMF, 48.2% (121/251)], concomitant symptomatic medication use [DRF, 19.3% (17/88) versus DMF, 30.6% (37/121)], and GI-related discontinuations (DRF, 0.8% versus DMF, 4.8%) were lower with DRF versus DMF. Conclusions: The improved GI tolerability with DRF translated into clinically meaningful benefits to QoL, as patients experienced less impact on daily life and work and required less concomitant symptomatic medication use. Trial registration: [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03093324]


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Greenhalgh ◽  
Hailee Kulich ◽  
Eline Blaauw ◽  
Rose Turner ◽  
Sara Peterson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Introduction Novel rehabilitation methods, including distribution and adoption of assistive technology for lower extremity impairments, are becoming crucial to ensure positive quality of life in all individuals. The quality of life of post-9/11 combat veterans is not well understood, in comparison to research on other populations. The following essay describes a review on health outcomes used to determine health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) among combat-injured service members who require mobility-related assistive technology. Materials and Methods Reviews pooled data from research on PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO published after September 11, 2001, and included service members who sustained a mobility impairment because of involvement in a post-9/11 combat operation. Basic descriptors were extracted in addition to health outcomes used, which were then categorized and summarized by six domains for HR-QoL as defined by the World Health Organization. Results This review found health outcomes that fit in the pain and discomfort, negative emotions, mobility, social relations, access to and quality of healthcare services, and religious/spiritual/personal beliefs subdomains. The categorized results detailed their application to track and model HR-QoL health states in those with mobility impairments using mobility-based assistive technology. Conclusions The research on combat-induced mobility impairments indicates assistive technology improves otherwise poor health states. The results model these domains and subdomains to determine overall HR-QoL and the quality of a healthcare intervention, though additional research is needed as only one study was identified to be experimental in design.


2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dagmar Nemček

SummaryThe aim of the study was to compare the satisfaction with quality of life indicators (QoLI) and quality of life domains (QoLD) scores between people with physical disabilities (PPD) and people who are deaf or hard of hearing (PD/HH) from sport participation point of view. The study included 315 individuals with PPD (n = 150; male = 76) and PD/HH (n = 165; male = 85) divided into two groups of those who are regularly participating in sport and those who are not participating in any sport activity in their leisure. The second part of the Subjective Quality of Life Analysis (S.QUA.L.A.) was used. The Pearson chi-square test was used to determine the differences in 23 QoLI and 5 QoLD between PPD and PD/HH from sport participation point of view and student’s two-sample t-test was used to compare overall quality of life (QoL). We found that PD/HH who are participating regularly in sport presented significantly higher satisfaction with 7 evaluated QoLI and with all 5 QoLD. Overall QoL score was significantly higher (p < .01) in PD/HH. In the group of people who are not participating in sport we found significantly higher satisfaction with 13 QoLI in PD/HH and with 8 QoLI in PPD. Satisfaction with 4 QoLD was significantly higher in PD/HH and only with domain (physical health) were significantly higher satisfied PPD (p < .01). Overall QoL score did not show significant differences between groups of people with disabilities who are not participating in any sport. The results of our study confirmed that PD/HH have significantly higher QoL comparing PPD no matter if they participating in sport or not. This evaluation measured by S.QUA.L.A shows that it is a suitable tool to asses QoL in people with different kinds of disabilities.


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