Technology and Disability - Volume 36, issue 1-2

Authors: Shenoy, Rajath | Intiaz, Cherkala | Tiwari, Shivani | Krishnan, Gopee

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Aphasia is an impaired ability to use language for communication after a brain damage. The primary means of intervention for aphasia – Speech-Language therapy (SLT) – usually involves didactic interaction between the Speech-Language therapist and the client, often without regard to the real-life environments in which the communication occurs. The provision of SLT in natural environments is beyond the scope of the conventional, clinic-based intervention setups. Using the technological advances, the Mixed Reality in Aphasia Rehabilitation (MiRAR) aims to make persons with aphasia (PwA) use their language in an ecologically valid and meaningful manner in natural communication contexts. …AIM: This report aims to delineate the design and development of a Mixed Reality environment (MR: i.e., augmented + virtual realities (i.e., AR + VR)) to provide social communicative intervention for PwA. METHODS: We describe the concept and provide the details of the development and deployment of a communication-based mixed reality application for PwA in the Indian context. For this purpose, we generated 20 distinct communication scenarios and their scripts. These scenarios were implemented into the Mixed Reality environment with the help of a hired technical team. RESULTS: The 20 scenarios were successfully developed and deployed into the Mixed Reality environment for the purpose of communication intervention for PwA. The program consists of a web-based admin panel (for SLPs) and a Mixed Reality application (for the PwA). CONCLUSIONS: The MiRAR program is expected to foster the delivery of speech-language therapy in a meaningful, controlled and simulated environments by the SLPs, thus alleviating the practical restraints of conventional clinical setups. The clinical trial of this intervention program is planned in the next phase of this ongoing project. Show more

Keywords: Aphasia, rehabilitation, virtual reality, augmented reality, immersive therapy

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-230008

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 36, no. 1-2, pp. 1-15, 2024

Authors: Laghari, Asif Ali | Estrela, Vania V. | Li, Hang | Shoulin, Yin | Khan, Abdullah Ayub | Anwar, Muhammad Shahid | Wahab, Abdul | Bouraqia, Khadija

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) gaming (VRG) captures, examines, analysis, and renders the game data virtually instead of the users’ devices over efficient networks. E.g., VR is crucial in visually guided surgery and manifold therapies. Video Quality Assessment (VQA) helps VRG software and devices execute high-quality inputs/outputs. This paper debates VRG processes, environments, VQA metrics, Quality of Experience (QoE), platforms, current methods, tools, use in medicine, existing operational gains/challenges, and highlights future directions.

Keywords: Virtual reality, augmented reality, healthcare imaging, behavior, cloud gaming, quality of experience (QoE)

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-230035

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 36, no. 1-2, pp. 17-28, 2024

Authors: Lendraitienė, Eglė | Rėkus, Edmantas | Volkevičiūtė, Augusta | Tunaitytė, Agilė | Venslauskas, Mantas | Abramavičius, Silvijus | Stankevičius, Edgaras

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that manifests as a various movement disorders: tremor, rigidity and postural instability. These dysfunctions can significantly impact the individual’s quality of life, leading to a decline in overall well-being. However, recent innovations in medical devices field promise additional methods to alleviate PD symptoms. The VILIM Ball is a local hand-arm stimulation device that generates mechanical vibrations within the frequency range of 8–18 Hz. It was shown in this study that Parkinson’s disease patients (PD) may experience enhanced upper limb functionality and reduction in tremor power through physiotherapy in conjunction to therapy with …VILIM Ball device. A total of 24 participants were recruited and divided into two groups: the control group (N = 12) underwent physiotherapy alone, while the experimental group (N = 12) received physiotherapy in combination with the VILIM Ball. Hand coordination, tremor power, and the right-hand grip strength before and after interventions were assessed to quantify the effects of the interventions. The right-hand tremor power decreased by an average of 7.38% for the control group and by an average of 48.11% for the experimental group. The left-hand tremor power increased by 3.89% for the control group and decreased by the 30.23% for the experimental group. There were no significant changes in the right-hand grip strength after the interventions. These findings indicate that the local hand-arm vibration provided by the VILIM Ball in conjunction to physiotherapy can benefit patients more than the physiotherapy alone. Show more

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, physiotherapy, VILIM ball, tremor

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-230032

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 36, no. 1-2, pp. 29-38, 2024

Authors: Vincent, Claude | Bass, Alec | Dumont, Frédéric S | Aubertin-Leheudre, Mylène | Karelis, Antony D | Morin, Suzanne N | McKerral, Michelle | Duclos, Cyril | Gagnon, Dany H

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Physical activity as one of the major lifestyle-related health determinants is partially addressed by the Montreal Walking Exoskeleton Satisfaction and Perspectives-Questionnaire (MWESP-Q). OBJECTIVE: To document satisfaction of people with chronic spinal cord injury after the completion of a 10 to 16 weeks of the wearable robotic exoskeleton-assisted walking program, with the MWESP-Q updated to a context of health promotion. METHODS: Following a walking program (10–16 weeks), wheelchair users with chronic SCI completed the MWESP-Q online. Modification of the original questionnaire was conducted with 4 experts to ensure its content validity with …a human framework to promote physical activity for health. RESULTS: Ten wheelchair users completed the questionnaire (men = 6; 45.8 ± 13.4 years, SCI duration: 10.1 ± 5.8 years). Participants strongly agreed to be satisfied with the overall program; agreed to be satisfied towards exoskeleton, motivation to engage in physical activity, learnability and program attributes; rated “medium effort” for physical and cognitive exertion during training; reported light improvements for health benefit domain, but light to moderate improvements for general endurance (mean 5.5 /7, SD 1.4) and psychological well-being (mean 5.7 /7, SD 1.3). CONCLUSIONS: The updated MWESP-Q is now better equipped to measure physical and cognitive efforts in physical activity and changes in body and organic systems and in capabilities (health promotion). The updated MWESP-Q has 54 statements (14 additional statements and 1 deleted) organized around seven domains. The original measure was replaced by three 7-point Likert scales, one regarding agreement level (40 statements), level of effort (12 statements), and level of change (2 statements). Show more

Keywords: Assistive technology, mobility device, robotic exoskeleton, paraplegia, physical activity, rehabilitation, spinal cord injury

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-230031

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 36, no. 1-2, pp. 39-48, 2024

Authors: Holtkamp, Fred | Sonderkamp, Trudi | van Zaalen, Yvonne

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The design and manufacturing of effective foot orthoses is a complex multidisciplinary problem involving biomedical and gait pattern aspects, technical material and geometric design elements as well as psychological and social contexts. This complexity contributes to the current trial-and-error and experience-based orthopedic footwear practice in which a major part of the expertise is implicit. This hampers knowledge transfer, reproducibility and innovation. OBJECTIVE/METHODS: A systematic review of literature has been performed to find evidence of explicit knowledge, quantitative guidelines and design motivations of pedorthists. RESULTS: 17 studies have been included. No consensus is …found on which measurable parameters ensure proper foot and ankle functioning. Parameters suggested are: neutral foot positioning and control of rearfoot motion, maximum arch, but also tibial internal/external rotation as well as a three point force system. Also studies evaluating foot orthoses centering on the diagnosis or orthosis type find no clear guidelines for treatment or for measuring the effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: A gap in the translation from diagnosis to a specific, customized and quantified effective orthosis design is identified. Suggested solutions are both top-down, fitting of patient data in simulations, as well as bottom-up, quantifying current practices of pedorthists in order to develop new practical guidelines and evidence-based procedures. Show more

Keywords: Orthopedic-footwear, orthosis, explicit knowledge, evidence-based, design parameters, manufacturing, pedorthics

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-230036

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 36, no. 1-2, pp. 49-56, 2024

Authors: Bontula, Anisha | Crider, Jai’La Lee | Mayoral, Rafael Morales | Fitter, Naomi T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Vision impairments affect the ability to navigate environments and gain spatial perception of one’s surroundings. Existing navigation aids typically provide close-range information, but not feedback on farther distances (i.e., beyond 5 m from the user). OBJECTIVE: To address this gap, the OptiBand, a custom assistive device, was previously designed with a stakeholder who is blind. The OptiBand uses Lidar sensing and haptic feedback to relay information on objects up to 15 m away. In this paper, we sought to evaluate the efficacy of the OptiBand with an in situ user study. METHODS: N = …9 participants (eight blind and one low-vision) used the OptiBand for a period of three months. Users periodically rated spatial perception workload and trust of their assistive navigation aids (at first as a baseline without the OptiBand, and then with the OptiBand). RESULTS: The OptiBand tended to yield lower workload requirements and similar trust levels compared to existing navigation aids. Interview data demonstrated the usefulness of the OptiBand in selected day-to-day tasks such as navigating outdoors and maintaining appropriate interpersonal spacing. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides evidence on benefits of and potential uses of assistive navigation aids like the OptiBand. Researchers interested in similar devices can benefit from our efforts. Show more

Keywords: Haptic navigation aids, spatial perception, in situ user studies

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-230033

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 36, no. 1-2, pp. 57-68, 2024