5,940 results match your criteria Assistive Devices to Improve Independence
Alzheimers Dement (N Y) 2018 9;4:636-644. Epub 2018 Nov 9.
Department of Psychiatry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
Introduction: The user experience and clinical effectiveness with wearable global positioning system (GPS) devices for persons with dementia (PwDs) and caregivers (CGs) remain unclear although many are available.
Methods: Using a crossover design, 20 dyads tested two similar commercial GPS watches (products A and B) at home for 4 weeks each. Usability, product functions, design features and product satisfaction at home and the clinic were investigated. Read More
Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2018 Nov 29;73:e497. Epub 2018 Nov 29.
Laboratorio de Delineamento de Estudos e Escrita Cientifica, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC (FMABC), Santo Andre, SP, BR.
New technologies designed to improve the communication of autistic children can also help to promote interaction processes and cognitive and social development. The aim of this study was to analyze the instruments used to improve the communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases using the descriptors "autism", "Asperger", "education", "children" and "assistive technology" and selected articles that met the following inclusion criteria: (i) original research; (ii) written in English; (iii) based on participants with a primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder; and (iv) tested an instrument designed to promote communication in children with autism spectrum disorder. Read More
Occup Ther Int 2018 1;2018:4984170. Epub 2018 Nov 1.
Professor of the Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences. Faculty of Medicine FMUSP, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
This article presents a systematic review, for which research was carried out in the following electronic databases: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and ERIC, in which several articles were found ( = 560). The results were analyzed based on the information obtained in the titles and abstracts, and the remaining studies were read in full for the analysis. The aim of this article was to identify the different questionnaires used for selecting items of assistive technology, describe and evaluate the translation and transcultural adaptation procedures, characterize the thematic domains of each resource, evaluate the cultural adaptation process adopted, and describe the psychometric properties. Read More
Rev Prat 2016 May;66(5):563-570
Maladies du système nerveux périphérique et du muscle, Centre SLA, hôpital Pasteur, Nice, France.
Management Of amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis Management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis starts with diagnosis announcement which is straightaway followed by initiating neuroprotective treatment (riluzole). A quarterly-based management is proposed, coordinated by an ALS center in close collaboration with the general practitioner, home care organization, and a dedicated health network. Key point for efficiency of global care is to develop a coordination with a multidisciplinary approach, including the involvement of neurologist and physicians from different medical specialties, nurse practitioners, physical and occupational therapists, speech language therapists, dietitians and psychologists. Read More
Appl Ergon 2019 Feb 16;75:1-7. Epub 2018 Sep 16.
Spine Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
This study evaluated loading on the low back while wearing two commercially available postural assist exoskeletons. Ten male subjects lifted a box from multiple lift origins (combinations of vertical height and asymmetry) to a common destination using a squatting lifting technique with and without the use of either exoskeleton. Dependent measures included subject kinematics, moment arms between the torso or weight being lifted and the lumbar spine, and spinal loads as predicted by an electromyography-driven spine model. Read More
Assist Technol 2018 Nov 30:1-7. Epub 2018 Nov 30.
c Deptartment of Physical Therapy, Sapporo , Hokkaido University of Science , Sapporo , Japan.
The shearing force acting upon the contacting surface of the buttocks while seated in a wheelchair has been linked to the development of pressure ulcers. However, the actual causative factors have not been examined in detail. In an attempt to clarify the nature of this problem, we developed a specific measurement system. Read More
Eur J Appl Physiol 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.
Center for Cybernics Research, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
Background: The hybrid assistive limb (HAL) is the world's first cyborg-type robot suit that provides motion assistance to physically challenged patients. HAL is expected to expand the possibilities of exercise therapy for severe cardiac patients who have difficulty in moving on their own legs. As a first step, we examined whether or not the motion assistance provided by HAL during exercise could effectively reduce the cardiopulmonary burden in healthy subjects. Read More
J Nutr Health Aging 2018 ;22(10):1253-1258
Joanna P. MacEwan, Precision Health Economics, 11100 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90025, Phone: 310-984-7718, Email:
Objectives: Little is known about the severity and long-term health and economic consequences of sarcopenia. We developed a sarcopenia index to measure severity in older Americans and estimated the long-term societal benefits generated by effective interventions to mitigate severity.
Design: Using a micro-simulation model, we quantified the potential societal value generated in the US in 2010-2040 by reductions in sarcopenia severity in older adults. Read More
JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol 2018 Nov 29;5(2):e10510. Epub 2018 Nov 29.
Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, Netherlands.
Background: Technical innovations have the potential to compensate for loss of upper-limb motor functions after stroke. However, majority of the designs do not completely meet the needs and preferences of the end users. User-centered design methods have shown that the attention to user perspectives during development of assistive technology leads to devices that better suit the needs of the users. Read More
J Neurosurg Spine 2018 Nov 1:1-11. Epub 2018 Nov 1.
OBJECTIVESpinal cord injury (SCI) has been investigated in various animal studies. One promising therapeutic approach involves the transfer of peripheral nerves originating above the level of injury into those originating below the level of injury. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of nerve transfers for reinnervation of lower limbs in patients suffering SCI to restore some hip and knee functions, enabling them to independently stand or even step forward with assistive devices and thus improve their quality of life. Read More
Prof Case Manag 2019 Jan/Feb;24(1):1-3
Beginning in 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is expanding the definition of "primarily health-related." Under the new definition, Medicare Advantage Plans allow beneficiaries supplemental benefits if they compensate for physical impairments, diminish the impact of injuries or health conditions, and/or reduce avoidable emergency department utilization. At the discretion of the plan, this could expand the scope of permitted services to include things such as nonskilled in-home workers, portable wheelchair ramps, and other assistive devices. Read More
Appl Ergon 2019 Jan 17;74:55-66. Epub 2018 Aug 17.
Department of Industrial and System Engineering, Virginia Tech, 250 Durham Hall (0118), Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Virginia Tech - Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Blacksburg, VA, USA. Electronic address:
We compared different passive exoskeletal designs in terms of physical demands (maximum acceptable frequency = MAF, perceived discomfort, and muscular loading) and quality in a simulated overhead drilling task, and the moderating influence of tool mass (∼2 and ∼5 kg). Three distinct designs were used: full-body and upper-body exoskeletons with attached mechanical arms; and an upper-body exoskeleton providing primarily shoulder support. Participants (n = 16, gender-balanced) simulated drilling for 15 min to determine their MAF, then maintained this pace for three additional minutes while the remaining outcome measures were obtained. Read More
Appl Ergon 2019 Jan 3;74:1-9. Epub 2018 Aug 3.
Industrial Psychology and Human Factors Group, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Bedford, MK43 0AL, UK.
Human visual inspection skills remain superior for ensuring product quality and conformance to standards in the manufacturing industry. However, at present these skills cannot be formally shared with other workers or used to develop and implement new solutions or assistive technologies because they involve a high level of tacit knowledge which only exists in skilled operators' internal cognitions. Industry needs reliable methods for the capture and analysis of this tacit knowledge so that it can be shared and not lost but also so that it can be best utilised in the transfer of manual work to automated systems and introduction of new technologies and processes. Read More
Disabil Rehabil 2018 Nov 28:1-9. Epub 2018 Nov 28.
a Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy , University of Gothenburg , Göteborg , Sweden.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore support persons' views on remote communication for persons with communicative and cognitive disabilities, and on factors enabling self-determination and participation.
Materials And Methods: Five focus groups with 21 support persons were conducted. They were recorded and transcribed and data were analyzed qualitatively using focus group analysis methodology. Read More
Sensors (Basel) 2018 Nov 26;18(12). Epub 2018 Nov 26.
Assistive Robotics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, HOSEI University, Tokyo 184-8584, Japan.
Increasing interest in analyzing human gait using various wearable sensors, which is known as Human Activity Recognition (HAR), can be found in recent research. Sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes are widely used in HAR. Recently, high interest has been shown in the use of wearable sensors in numerous applications such as rehabilitation, computer games, animation, filmmaking, and biomechanics. Read More
Handb Clin Neurol 2018 ;159:367-384
Rehabilitation Center Affoltern am Albis, University Children's Hospital Zurich - Eleonore Foundation, Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland.
This chapter covers balance, gait, and falls in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) from a clinical perspective. First, the consequences of an SCI on functioning are explained, including etiology, clinical presentation, classification, and epidemiologic data. Then, the specific aspects of balance disorders, gait disorders, and falls are discussed with respect to motor complete (cSCI) and incomplete (iSCI) SCI. Read More
Innov Aging 2018 Jan 27;2(1):igy008. Epub 2018 Apr 27.
Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
There is a critical need to develop supports for older adults who have a wide range of abilities, including those aging with long-term impairments. Without appropriate support, many individuals will be functioning below optimal levels and will face participation barriers. Technology holds great promise to provide individualized support for a wide range of abilities and for a variety of domains. Read More
Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2018 19;4:104. Epub 2018 Nov 19.
St. Luke's University Health Network, 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA.
Introduction: We present a case of a previously asymptomatic and highly functional individual whose critical degenerative stenosis was exacerbated by recent trauma (motor vehicle accident), resulting in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
Case Presentation: A 57-year-old African-American man with no significant past medical history presented to the Orthopaedic Surgery outpatient clinic with mild neck discomfort, stiffness, and bilateral hand numbness 4 days after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. He ambulated without assistive devices and displayed a tandem gait pattern with normal cadence. Read More
Elife 2018 11 27;7. Epub 2018 Nov 27.
Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States.
To restore vision for the blind, several prosthetic approaches have been explored that convey raw images to the brain. So far, these schemes all suffer from a lack of bandwidth. An alternate approach would restore vision at the cognitive level, bypassing the need to convey sensory data. Read More
Complement Ther Med 2018 Dec 22;41:169-174. Epub 2018 Sep 22.
Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States; Neurology Services, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States.
Background: Gait and balance impairment is common in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Lipoic acid (LA), an over-the-counter antioxidant, is effective in MS animal models and may improve walking speed, but effects on mobility are unreported.
Objective: Examine the effects of 1200 mg daily oral dose of LA versus placebo (PLA) on gait and balance in a 2-year, randomized, double-blind pilot study. Read More
BMC Health Serv Res 2018 Nov 26;18(1):891. Epub 2018 Nov 26.
Research Centre for Autonomy and Participation for People with a Chronic Illness, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Nieuw Eyckholt 300, 6419, DJ, Heerlen, the Netherlands.
Background: Primary care nurses play a crucial role in setting personal goals and action plans together with chronically ill patients. This may be a challenge for practice nurses, who are often trained to adopt protocol-based work routines. The aim of this study was to systematically develop a conversation approach, and a corresponding training course, for practice nurses aimed at making shared decisions about goals and actions with their chronically ill patients. Read More
Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 Nov 23;15(12). Epub 2018 Nov 23.
The Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aspire to "leave no-one behind". Universal access to assistive products is a critical link between the realization of the SDGs and those most likely to be left behind. However, assistive technology provision in many countries, particularly low- and middle-income countries, has traditionally been conducted through small-scale local providers, manufacturing products of varying degrees of quality at a limited price range. Read More
IEEE Trans Biomed Circuits Syst 2018 Nov 20. Epub 2018 Nov 20.
This paper presents the design, development, and validation of the Eyelid Drive System (EDS), an assistive technology comprising a specialized pair of glasses and millimeter-sized passive resonators, attached to the wearer's eyelids, that transduce eyelid movement (blinking and winking) through inductive sensing. The theory of operation and design optimization with simulations are presented. A proof-of-concept prototype EDS was constructed using a pair of non-prescription glasses and commercial-off-the-shelf components. Read More
J Spinal Cord Med 2018 Nov 26:1-9. Epub 2018 Nov 26.
a Spinal Cord Injury & Disorders Center , VA Palo Alto Health Care System , Palo Alto , California , USA.
Objective: To determine the effect of a functional electrical stimulation (FES) rowing program on bone mineral density (BMD) when implemented within two years after SCI.
Design: Prospective.
Setting: Health Care Facility. Read More
Minim Invasive Ther Allied Technol 2018 Nov 24:1-7. Epub 2018 Nov 24.
a Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology , Nanfang Hospital , Guangzhou City , China.
Background And Objective: Assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) with mucosal traction remains a challenge. This study explored an approach to assist in esophageal, gastric, colonic, and rectal ESD through a cannula-guided snare with endoclips (CSC-ESD), and aimed to preliminarily evaluate its feasibility in an in vivo porcine model.
Material And Methods: Forty-seven digestive tract mucosae in six pigs were resected using CSC-ESD. Read More
Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2019 02 31;30(1):217-259. Epub 2018 Oct 31.
Assistive Technology Program, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, McGuire VA Medical Center, 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23249, USA. Electronic address:
Assistive technology (AT) is a service or device that provides individuals with polytrauma injuries the chance to engage in their daily activities. AT specialists use the Human Activity Assistive Technology frame of reference to guide their evaluation, treatment, selection, and training process as it also takes into account the context in which AT devices would be used. AT devices include augmentative and alternative communication, electronic cognitive devices, wheeled mobility, electronic aides to daily living, adaptive computer access, and adaptive sports. Read More
J Med Eng Technol 2018 Nov 22:1-6. Epub 2018 Nov 22.
d Board member at ALS MNH Association , Izmir , Turkey.
In this study, a new electrooculography (EOG) based system that provides efficient communication for people suffered from motor neuron diseases is presented. The system consists of two distinct devices. The first device operates as a main unit that is activated by the subject's eye movements. Read More
J Prim Care Community Health 2018 Jan-Dec;9:2150132718813491
8 UiT-the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the perceived influence that community-working occupational therapists in Norway have on the service goals of their respective organizations. In addition, we aimed to assess sociodemographic and work-related factors associated with the perceived level of influence.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to occupational therapists in community-based services in Norway (n = 1767), to which 561 (32%) responded. Read More
J Neuroeng Rehabil 2018 Nov 21;15(1):111. Epub 2018 Nov 21.
Center for the Intrepid, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, JBSA Ft, Sam Houston, TX, USA.
Background: Ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) are commonly prescribed to provide functional assistance for patients with lower limb injuries or weakness. Their passive mechanical elements can provide some energy return to improve walking ability, but cannot restore plantar flexor push-off. Powered AFOs provide an assistive torque about the ankle to address the limitations of passive devices, but current designs have yet to be implemented on a large scale clinically. Read More
Am J Nurs 2018 Dec;118(12):51-55
Amanda Anderson works in nursing administration for the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. She is also on the editorial board and a contributing editor of AJN. Contact author: The author has disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
This column is designed to help new nurses in their first year at the bedside-a time of insecurity, growth, and constant challenges-and to offer advice as they learn what it means to be a nurse. This article offers strategies new nurses can use and specific steps they can take to help them succeed in delegating tasks to LPNs/LVNs and unlicensed assistive personnel. Read More
J Am Acad Audiol 2018 Jan 24. Epub 2018 Jan 24.
Department of Electrical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Background: Telephone conversation is one of the main scenarios where people with hearing loss require assistive listening devices (ALDs). Such people experience the greatest degree of difficulty during phone conversations in noisy environments.
Purpose: This study compared the benefits of a linear scheme with a compression amplification scheme fitted with a prescription for sloping-type hearing loss implemented in a Bluetooth ALD in quiet and noisy environments. Read More
Eur Spine J 2018 Nov 20. Epub 2018 Nov 20.
Division of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576-104, India.
Purpose: The conventional posterior approach is mostly advocated for excision of sacral tumours below S2. We describe an operative technique of single-stage en bloc resection of sacral tumours, extending up to S1, through an extended posterior approach.
Method: Nine patients, who had undergone resection of sacral tumours, by the described technique formed the basis of this study. Read More
Front Neurosci 2018 24;12:763. Epub 2018 Oct 24.
Advanced Analytics and Health Research, Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH, United States.
Laboratory demonstrations of brain-computer interface (BCI) systems show promise for reducing disability associated with paralysis by directly linking neural activity to the control of assistive devices. Surveys of potential users have revealed several key BCI performance criteria for clinical translation of such a system. Of these criteria, high accuracy, short response latencies, and multi-functionality are three key characteristics directly impacted by the neural decoding component of the BCI system, the algorithm that translates neural activity into control signals. Read More
J Neuroeng Rehabil 2018 Nov 20;15(1):109. Epub 2018 Nov 20.
School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Background: The trunk muscles are critical for postural control. Recent neurophysiological studies have revealed sparing of trunk muscle function in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) classified with thoracic or cervical motor-complete injuries. These findings raise the possibility for recruiting and retraining this spared trunk function through rehabilitation. Read More
Soft Robot 2018 Nov 20. Epub 2018 Nov 20.
1 Department of Systems Engineering and Automation, Carlos III University , Madrid, Spain .
Human exploration of the Solar System is one of the most challenging objectives included in the space programs of the most important space agencies in the world. Since the Apollo program, and especially with the construction and operation of the International Space Station, extravehicular activities (EVA) have become an important part of space exploration. This article presents a soft hand exoskeleton designed to address one of the problems that astronauts face during spacewalks: hand fatigue caused by the pressurized EVA gloves. Read More
Sci Rep 2018 Nov 19;8(1):17052. Epub 2018 Nov 19.
Department of Family Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Vitamin D status is inversely associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Whether this is true in the elderly without vitamin D deficiency is rarely investigated. Our data source is a cross-sectional survey of 1,966 community-dwelling elderly Taiwanese in 2012. Read More
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2018 Nov 19:1-9. Epub 2018 Nov 19.
a Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare , Department of Veterans Affairs, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital , Hines , IL , USA.
Purpose: Guided by an ecological perspective, the purpose of this study was to identify multilevel factors that influenced the implementation of environmental control units (ECUs) in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders (SCI/D) Centres.
Materials And Methods: Mixed methods including an online survey and qualitative interviews of VHA healthcare employees.
Results: VHA healthcare employees participated in the online survey (n = 153, 21% participation rate) and semi-structured interview (n = 28; 54% participation rate). Read More
Front Public Health 2018 2;6:296. Epub 2018 Nov 2.
School of Theology, Philosophy and Music, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
This paper explores the ways in which assistive technologies (ATs) can both promote and undermine the autonomy of Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (PIDD). Following an initial discussion of ATs for PIDD, I examine the specific issues of autonomy for PIDD. I outline the ways in which ATs can boost autonomy, of PIDD, focusing on knowledge, authenticity, and liberty. Read More
J Formos Med Assoc 2018 Nov 16. Epub 2018 Nov 16.
Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address:
Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2018 Nov 14. Epub 2018 Nov 14.
Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Objective: To investigate the immediate response to avatar-based biofeedback on three clinically important gait parameters; step length, knee extension and ankle power, in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Design: Repeated measures design.
Setting: Rehabilitation clinic. Read More
Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:5806-5809
Contemporary hearing aids are markedlylimited in their most important role: improving speech perception in dynamic "cocktail party" environments with multiple, competing talkers. Here we describe an open-source, mobile assistive hearing platform entitled "Cochlearity" which uses eye gaze to guide an acoustic beamformer, so a listener will hear best wherever they look. Cochlearity runs on Android and its eight-channel microphone array can be worn comfortably on the head, e. Read More
Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:5503-5506
In this paper, we present a Speech Enhancement (SE) technique to improve intelligibility of speech perceived by Hearing Aid users using smartphone as an assistive device. We use the formant frequency information to improve the overall quality and intelligibility of the speech. The proposed SE method is based on new super Gaussian joint maximum a Posteriori (SGJMAP) estimator. Read More
Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:5135-5141
A major hurdle for the widespread use of wearable assistive devices is determining, moment-by-moment, the control mode appropriate for a given terrain when faced with a complex, multi-terrain environment. Current control strategies focus mainly on measurements of user behavior and less on environment information. Here we demonstrate the application of location estimates from a vision-based localization system to obtain environment awareness by delineating various terrains into regions. Read More
Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:5010-5013
This paper presents a physiological monitoring system for assistive robots using a thermal camera. It is based on the detection of subtle changes in temperature observed on different parts of the face. First, we segment and estimate these face regions on thermal images. Read More
Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:4665-4668
Human limb movement intent recognition fundamentally provides the control mechanism for assistive devices such as exoskeleton and limb prosthesis. While different biopotential signals have been utilized for limb movement intent decoding, they seldom could account for spatial information associated with changes in muscle shape that could also be used to characterize the limb motor intent. Therefore, this study developed a novel nano gold stretchable-flexible sensor that captures spatial information associated with the muscle shape change signal (MSCS) during different muscle activation patterns. Read More
Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:3497-3500
Pathological gait assessment and assistive control based on functional electrical stimulation (FES) in post-stroke individuals, brings out a common need to robustly quantify kinematics facing multiple constraints. This study proposes a novel approach using inertial sensors to compute dorsiflexion angles and spatio-temporal parameters, in order to be later used as inputs for online close-loop control of FES. 26 post-stroke subjects were asked to walk on a pressure mat equipped with inertial measurement units (IMU) and passive reflective markers. Read More
Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:3330-3333
A large number of people with disabilities rely on assistive technologies to communicate with their families, to use social media, and have a social life. Despite a significant increase of novel assitive technologies, robust, non-invasive, and inexpensive solutions should be proposed and optimized in relation to the physical abilities of the users. A reliable and robust identification of intentional visual commands is an important issue in the development of eye-movements based user interfaces. Read More
Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:2511-2514
Feature learning plays a crucial role in data analysis when the measured data is in a high dimensional space. This paper applied the feature learning technique in data set collected from human movement experiments in an upper limb rehabilitation robotic device. The results showed that the proposed feature learning technique can identify key features to characterize the upper limb movements of humans, even though human variations exist. Read More
Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:2466-2469
We aim to assess the effectiveness of using the RAPAEL Smart Board as an assistive tool for therapists in clinical rehabilitation therapy settings and to investigate if it can be used to improve the motor recovery rate of stroke survivors. The RAPAEL Smart Board is a therapy tool where therapists actively engage patients, giving necessary verbal and physical interventions as in traditional treatment sessions. We conducted a randomized controlled study with 17 stroke survivors. Read More