scholarly journals Psychosocial Impact of Powered Wheelchair, Users’ Satisfaction and Their Relation to Social Participation

Technologies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Domingues ◽  
Pinheiro ◽  
Silveira ◽  
Francisco ◽  
Jutai ◽  
...  

Several studies showed positive effects of assistive technologies on psychosocial impact and participation of adults with mobility impairments. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychosocial and participation impact of powered wheelchairs. Participants were thirty persons with disabilities who use powered wheelchairs with diverse medical conditions. The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology, the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale and the Activities and Participation Profile Related to Mobility were used, in addition to demographic, clinical and wheelchair related questions. The participants were satisfied with both the assistive technology and related services, with the lowest satisfaction scores belonging to those who had been using their wheelchairs for a longer period of time. We noticed significant restrictions in participation mostly among persons with longer wheelchair utilization. The most satisfied were the ones with better performance in terms of social participation. Psychosocial scores showed a positive impact with higher adaptability among persons who transitioned from a manual compared to those who already had a powered wheelchair. There was a positive psychosocial impact and therefore an increase in quality of life of its users.

Author(s):  
Claire Huijnen

This chapter presents the research, results and lessons learned from a project to evaluate currently available assisted living technologies for elderly people with mild to severe memory impairments who want to age in place. During the project a number of households were equipped with assistive technology to enable the end users to better cope with the barriers and problems associated with their forgetfulness. End users were involved in different phases, starting with a problem and needs analysis and ending with an evaluation of the technology installed in their homes. It seemed that technology did have a positive impact on their lives as well as on the lives of the informal caregivers who often live with those who suffer from amnesia. This project gives insight into how we are coming closer to optimizing the positive effects which assistive technology holds for the elderly with memory impairments. Key insights are presented.


1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Barry ◽  
John Dockery ◽  
David Littman ◽  
Melanie Barry

Intelligent assistive technology (IAT) refers to the integration of existing assistive technology with artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and advanced environment interfaces. AI can be used to integrate a great deal of sensor information, to amplify primary intent as well as to conduct background tasks. Through the application of AI we believe that we can level the playing field for persons with disabilities and maximize existing and future capabilities of assistive devices. By beginning a dialogue now between the developers of AI and assistive technology, IAT can become a reality.


2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Borg ◽  
Anna Lindström ◽  
Stig Larsson

Background: The ‘Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ (CRPD) requires governments to meet the assistive technology needs of citizens. However, the access to assistive technology in developing countries is severely limited, which is aggravated by a lack of related services.Objectives: To summarize current knowledge on assistive technology for low- and lower-middle-income countries published in 1995 or later, and to provide recommendations that facilitate implementation of the CRPD.Study design: Literature review.Methods: Literature was searched in web-based databases and reference lists. Studies carried out in low- and lower-middle-income countries, or addressing assistive technology for such countries, were included.Results: The 52 included articles are dominated by product oriented research on leg prostheses and manual wheelchairs. Less has been published on hearing aids and virtually nothing on the broad range of other types of assistive technology.Conclusions: To support effective implementation of the CRPD in these countries, there is a need for actions and research related particularly to policies, service delivery, outcomes and international cooperation, but also to product development and production.Clinical relevanceThe article has a potential to contribute to CRPD compliant developments in the provision of assistive technology in developing countries by providing practitioners with an overview of published knowledge and researchers with identified research needs.


2013 ◽  
pp. 246-260
Author(s):  
Betania Groba ◽  
Thais Pousada ◽  
Laura Nieto

A person with disabilities can present difficulties in occupational performance. It is necessary to develop a set of resources, technological or otherwise, to offset these difficulties, and contribute to the integration of people with functional diversity in society. These resources are called support products or technology support, but do not eliminate the deficits, they can eliminate the limitation of the performance of persons with disabilities. Moreover, the Information Technology and Communications (ICT) were formed as an alternative to personal empowerment of people with disabilities. To access and use of these new technologies are used to support specific products. In the market there is a diversity and variety of assistive technology, so it is necessary the classification and analysis of various products before the person can use it. The purpose of this chapter is to provide information about assistive technology, and specifically those directly related to ICT.


1993 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marshall Raskind

Technology to assist persons with disabilities has received considerable attention over the last decade. However, little attention has been directed toward technology to help persons with learning disabilities compensate for their difficulties. This article will provide an overview of assistive technologies currently available to assist persons with learning disabilities and suggest a basis from which the field of learning disabilities can take a leadership position in exploring and advancing the use of assistive technology for persons with learning disabilities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Josephine C. Ngonyani ◽  
Cosmas B. Mnyanyi

This paper assesses the relevance of assistive technology (AT) used by persons with disabilities enrolled in higher learning institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania. Assistive technology in its general sense is meant to support persons with disabilities (PWD) in managing their daily activities, including participation in teaching and learning. The study was descriptive in nature and used a cross-sectional research design. A total of 173 respondents participated in the study; 18 Management officials, 47 students, 35 trainers, 40 Dar-es-Salaam University Students Organisation (DARUSO) leaders, and 33 PWD. Among the 33 PWD; (10) visually impaired, (5) low vision, (7) physically impaired, (3) albinism, (7) hearing impaired, and (1) speech impaired. The study revealed that AT was provided conforming to the kind of a disability and that training was for new AT users. The training covered topics related to simple maintenance and repair of AT. The challenge was related to the shortages of AT experts and AT courses for training, caretakers and other professionals. The study recommends the establishment of AT courses for developing a cadre of AT specialists for conducting rehabilitation services. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0760/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>


Author(s):  
Binoy Mathew K V ◽  
Maryelizabeth Tidiya Walarine

As per 2011 census there are 2.68 crore differently abled persons in the country. Assistive devices and equipments can significantly help persons with disabilities to become independent in daily activities. There are many eminent technical educational institutions in India and many are conducting research works for the development of assistive technology for the differently abled. So an extensive search was conducted to explore the assistive technology related projects undertaken in India. Out of 137 studies retrieved 34 met the inclusion criteria. The result shows that many researches are being carried out for the development of assistive technology in India. Many of the products are in the prototype stage or in the feasibility stage. It emphasises the need for extensive field testing and commercial production of the assistive technologies. Such initiatives will lead to differently abled empowerment. The authors put forward some suggestions in this regard.


Author(s):  
Betania Groba ◽  
Thais Pousada ◽  
Laura Nieto

A person with disabilities can present difficulties in occupational performance. It is necessary to develop a set of resources, technological or otherwise, to offset these difficulties, and contribute to the integration of people with functional diversity in society. These resources are called support products or technology support, but do not eliminate the deficits, they can eliminate the limitation of the performance of persons with disabilities. Moreover, the Information Technology and Communications (ICT) were formed as an alternative to personal empowerment of people with disabilities. To access and use of these new technologies are used to support specific products. In the market there is a diversity and variety of assistive technology, so it is necessary the classification and analysis of various products before the person can use it. The purpose of this chapter is to provide information about assistive technology, and specifically those directly related to ICT.


Author(s):  
Anabela Martins ◽  
João Pinheiro ◽  
Beatriz Farias ◽  
Jeffrey Jutai

Active ageing is defined as the process of optimizing opportunities for physical, social and mental health to enable older people to take an active part in society without discrimination and to enjoy an independent and good quality of life. The World Health Organization assumed this as a process for increasing and maintaining an individual&rsquo;s participation in activities to enhance his/her quality of life. In this survey, the authors addressed the following question: &ldquo;Is assistive technology (AT) for mobility contributing to enhancement of lifelong capacity and performance?&rdquo;. From June 2015 until February 2016, 96 community dwelling adults, AT users for mobility (powered wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, lower limb prostheses, walkers, crutches and canes), aged 45-97, mean 67.02 +/- 14.24 years old, 56.3% female, were interviewed using the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (P-PIADS), the Activities and Participation Profile related to Mobility (APPM) and demographics, clinical and questions about AT use and training. The participants&rsquo; profiles revealed moderate limitation and restrictions in participation, measured by the APPM (2.03). Most participants showed positive impact of AT; average scores obtained from the P-PIADS subscales were: Self-esteem 0.62, Competency 1.11 and Adaptability 1.10. P-PIADS total was 0.96, with the powered wheelchair users scoring the highest (1.53) and the walker users scoring the lowest (0.73). All subscales and P-PIADS total were positively correlated with the activities and participation profile. There was no relation between age and the psychosocial impact of AT or activities and participation profile. These results encourage the authors to follow these participants up for a lifelong intervention. To accomplish that aim, currently, the protocol is implemented at the AT prescribing centers in Coimbra, Portugal in order to assess the impact of AT on participation in society, one of the domains of the Active Ageing Index, a new analytical tool to help policy makers in developing policies for active and healthy ageing.&nbsp;


Author(s):  
Ana Cristina de Jesus Alves ◽  
Marianne Pinheiro Marques

Introdução: O aumento de pessoas com deficiência nos esportes organizados acontece paralelamente ao avanço das políticas e Tecnologia Assistiva (TA), gerando benefícios sociais e qualidade de vida para os atletas. Entretanto, pouco se tem relatado na literatura sobre as tecnologias e suas peculiaridades na prática do paraesporte. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar e analisar a produção científica referente ao tema de TA no paraesporte e esporte adaptado. Método: Foi realizada a revisão de literatura nas bases de dados nacionais e internacionais, Pubmed, Cochrane, Bireme e Scielo, de 2000 a 2017, nos idiomas inglês e português, utilizando-se os descritores: traumatismos em atletas, pessoas com deficiência, equipamento de autoajuda, reabilitação. Resultados/Discussão: Foram encontrados 26 artigos científicos, sendo estes analisados quantitativa e qualitativamente, categorizados em estudos de TA relacionados: à lesão e ao desempenho, estudos de revisão de literatura e de validação de instrumentos. As tecnologias encontradas foram: muleta, órtese, protocolo para sistema de vigilância, questionário e cadeira de rodas. Os temas encontrados foram: a eficácia da tecnologia assistiva no esporte adaptado, a incidência de lesões no paraesporte e o desempenho no esporte adaptado, sem associar diretamente a tecnologia utilizada. A cadeira de rodas foi o dispositivo de TA predominante nos estudos, estando presente em 22 dos artigos. Conclusão: Os resultados apontaram uma lacuna nos relatos de uso de TA em esportes adaptados, comprovando a necessidade de estudos sobre o tema, principalmente no paraesporte como ocupação e o uso de TA, para propor melhorias nos dispositivos e seu uso em diversos esportes.AbstractIntroduction: The increase in the amount of people with disability in the adapted organized sports occurs side by side with the advance of new politics and Assistive Technologies (AT). However, there are few studies about these technologies and their particularities in parasports. Thus, this study aimed to characterize and analyze the scientific production related to the theme AT in parasport and in adapted sport. Method: was done a literature review in the national and international databases, such as: Pubmed, Cochrane, Bireme and Scielo, into 2000 and 2017, in the English and Portuguese languages, using the descriptors: athletic injuries, people with disabilities, assistive technology and rehabilitation. Results/Discussion: In total, 26 articles were analyzed in quality and quantity and we found the technologies in the following categories: injuries related to ATs, performance, literature review and instrument’s validation. The technologies mentioned were: crutch, bracing, protocol for surveillance system, questionnaire and wheelchair. They were discussed in the context of adapted sports, number of injuries and performance with no mention to the technology used. The wheelchair was the predominant AT, with mention in 22 articles. Conclusion: Therefore, this review indicates the need of more studies about the theme and, mainly in parasport as occupation and the use of a AT, to understand how to improve the existing technologies.Keywords: Persons with disabilities. Self-help devices. Sports for persons with disabilities. Occupational therapy. Social Participation.ResumenEl aumento de las personas con discapacidad en los deportes organizados ocurre paralelamente al avance de las políticas y Tecnologías Asistivas (TA), generando beneficios sociales y calidad de vida para los atletas. Sin embargo, poco se ha relatado en la literatura sobre las tecnologías y sus peculiaridades en la práctica del paradeporte. Así, este estudio tenía como objetivo caracterizar y analizar la producción científica relacionada con el tema de la TA en el deporte paraportado y adaptado. Para ello, se llevó a cabo una revisión de la literatura en bases de datos nacionales e internacionales, PubMed, Cochrane, Scielo Bireme y, de 2000 a 2017, en Inglés y portugués, usando las palabras clave: traumatismos en atletas, las personas con discapacidad, la tecnología de asistencia y rehabilitación. Se encontraron 26 artículos científicos, siendo estos analizados cuantitativa y cualitativamente, categorizados en estudios de TA relacionados: a la lesión y al desempeño, estudios de revisión de literatura y de validación de instrumentos. Las tecnologías encontradas fueron: muleta, órtesis, protocolo para sistema de vigilancia, cuestionario y silla de ruedas. Los temas encontrados fueron: la eficacia de la tecnología asistiva en el deporte adaptado, la incidencia de lesiones en el paraporte y el desempeño en el deporte adaptado, sin asociar directamente la tecnología utilizada. La silla de ruedas fue la TA predominante en los estudios, estando presente en 22 de los artículos. Los resultados apuntaron una laguna en los relatos de uso de TA en deportes adaptados, comprobando la necesidad de estúdios en el tema, principalmente en paraesprote como ocupación y el uso de AT, para proponer mejoras en los dispositivos y su uso en diversos deportesPalabras clave: Personas con discapacidad. Tecnología asistiva. Deporte para personas con discapacidad. Terapia ocupacional. Medicina de Rehabilitación. Participación social.


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