Eating is an essential activity of daily living (ADL) for staying healthy and at home independently. Although numerous assistive devices have been introduced, many people with disabilities are still restricted from independent eating due to the devices' physical or perceptual limitations. In this work, we present a new meal-assistance system evaluations motor impairments. We also discuss learned lessons design insights based on evaluations. The uses general-purpose mobile manipulator, Willow...

Assistive robots have the potential to support independence, enhance safety, and lower healthcare costs for older adults, as well alleviate demands of their care partners. However, ensuring that these will effectively reliably address end-user needs in long term requires user-specific design factors be considered during robot development process. To identify factors, we embedded Stretch, a mobile manipulator created by Hello Robot Inc., home an adult with motor impairments his partner four...

ObjectiveTo develop a virtual reality (VR)-based simulator that can assist clinicians in performing standardized wheelchair driving assessments.DesignA completely within-subjects repeated measures design.MethodsParticipants drove their wheelchairs along circuit modeled after the Power Mobility Road Test (PMRT) and hallway with decreasing width. The was displayed on computer screen VR screens participants interacted it using set of instrumented rollers joystick. Driving performances were...

Robots have the potential to support older adults with cognitive impairments and mobility in daily tasks that could promote their independence, enhance abilities, ensure safety, lower healthcare costs. Using a participatory design approach, we focused on identifying functional capabilities of Stretch robot various or impairments. Twelve participants (aged 60-97) were recruited interact give feedback regarding home environment. is mobile manipulator designed everyday activities using...

A reliable fall detection device is crucial to minimize long-term consequences of falls among wheelchair users. This study examines the sensitivity Apple Watch detect intentional from a wheelchair. Twenty-five able bodied (age: 21.9 ± 2.5 years) participated in protocol which they intentionally fell out laboratory setting. Each participant wore an Series 5 and performed 3 forward, right left sideways, backward directions onto crash pad totaling 12 each. The was manually checked after each...

Technology to support aging in the right place (AIRP) has much promise, but potential is not yet being met. In their paper outlining opportunities and challenges use of technology AIRP, Kokorelias et al. (2024) provided a roadmap for next steps. Our commentary focuses on two questions they raised: (1) How can be designed developed better meet specific needs, preferences abilities older adults? (2) do we evaluate natural settings? Widespread adoption will emerge from consideration users; an...

Automated fall detection devices for individuals who use wheelchairs to minimize the consequences of falls are lacking. This study aimed develop and train a algorithm differentiate from wheelchair mobility activities using machine learning techniques. Thirty, healthy, ambulatory, young adults simulated performed other wheelchair-related in laboratory. Neural Network classifiers were used developed based on data retrieved accelerometers mounted at participant's wrist, chest, head. Results...

Purpose: Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) often experience difficulties in performing kitchen-related sequencing tasks due to cognitive deficits. The primary aim of this study is examine the feasibility a context-aware automatic prompting system assisting individuals TBI multi-step cooking tasks.Method: Sixteen participated study. A randomized cross-over design was used compare method conventional user-controlled through tablet device. Participant performance under each assessed...

Objective Upper limb spasticity may impair the use of control interfaces such as joysticks for many individuals with disabilities cerebral palsy (CP). The aims this study were to compare driving performance those CP that participants, identify impact lead time on performance, and two joystick designs, a standard movement sensing novel isometric joystick. Design This used repeated-measures design group participants without in two-dimensional simulated task computer screen using interfaces....

A survey was designed and administered in this study to assess the use of assistive technology for cognition (ATC), especially portable electronic ATC, among veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim obtain information on current ATC devices applications use, users' experience different features relevant training/support their ATC. Twenty-nine TBI participated study. Results showed that smartphones a variety apps, were widely used by participants compensate cognitive limitations....

Upper-limb fatigue is a common problem that may restrict people with multiple sclerosis (MS) from using their electric powered wheelchair effectively and for long period of time.The objective this research to evaluate whether participants MS can drive better variable compliance joystick (VCJ) customizable algorithms than conventional joystick.Eleven were randomly assigned one two groups.The groups used the VCJ in either compliant or noncompliant isometric mode standard algorithm, personally...

Falls are a concern for older adults who use wheelchairs and scooters. Many wheelchair scooter users require assistance to recover from fall often lie on the ground waiting 10 min or more. An automated detection device may facilitate communication with care partners expedite recovery; however, there is limited research specifications features of an preferred by scooter. To examine desired specifications, perceived ease usefulness through semi-structured interviews. Fifteen full-time (9...

Purpose To evaluate the psychometric properties of a Fall Concerns Scale for people who use Wheelchairs and Scooters (FCS-WC/S).

The purpose of this article was to survey the perspectives clinicians regarding pediatric robotic exoskeletons and compare their views with parents children disabilities. A total 78 completed survey; they were contacted through Children's Healthcare Atlanta, American Academy for Cerebral Palsy Developmental Medicine, group pages on Facebook. Most somewhat concerned very that a child might not use device safely outside clinical setting. reported would try walk, run, climb using exoskeleton....

Approximately 40% of Americans with disabilities cannot operate wheeled mobility devices and computers adequately because diminished upper-limb motor control, sensory limitations, cognitive impairments. We developed tuning software that can customize control interfaces for individuals This study compared the differences in each parameter among different diagnostic groups.The age subjects ranged from 18 to 80 yrs. The participants were classified into following groups: athetoid cerebral...

Due to problems with attention, cognition, memory, and executive functions people Cognitive Impairments face difficulties in independently completing certain instrumental activities of daily living such as meal preparation. The purpose this research study was understand specific cognitive impairments their around kitchen, specifically focusing on preparation tasks. Ethnographic interviews were conducted Traumatic Brain Injury unmet needs identified. Smart Cueing Kitchen, a orthosis advanced...

Background: In psychiatric practice, antipsychotic drugs are widely used group of drugs. Numbers available in this with diverse type mechanisms and efficacy/safety profile. The objective for the study was to identify prescription pattern centre determination current trends. Methods: retrospective conducted at NKP Salve Institute Medical Sciences Research Centre, Nagpur, Hospital, Maharashtra, India case record files department psychiatry year 2014-2015 were analysed a total 300 cases....