ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to reveal comprehensible instructions from an assistive robot for older adults, across cognitive levels and characteristics. Participants included 19 older adults with or without cognitive impairment. We administered cognitive tests assessing all major domains (e.g., memory and attention). Participants were required to listen to robot instructions carefully, and perform three activities of daily living (e.g., taking medicine) with three different types of instructions. In instruction pattern 1 (IP1), the robot informed seniors of the task in one sentence, while in instruction patterns 2 and 3 (IP2 and IP3), the steps of each activity were split into two and three sentences, respectively. Participants with lower cognitive level showed lower task performance with IP1, whereas almost all participants completed tasks with IP2 and IP3. Cognitive domains such as working memory significantly affected task performances. Participants with lower attention made mistakes in taking their medicine. The results imply that step-by-step instructions should be used for older people with lower levels of cognitive function, especially working memory, and repeated instructions may be required for lower attention. Types of instruction should be selected depending on cognitive characteristics.

This research focused on the development of a cyber-physical robotic platform to assist speech-language pathologists who are related to articulation disorders in education environments. The first goal was the design and development of the system. The second goal was the qualitative initial validation of the platform with robotics and mobile device functionalities drawing on the participation of real patients and speech-language pathologists (SLP). The research method is based on qualitative data. The first phase was the application of engineering requirements and agile techniques to build the robotic system. The second phase was to execute test sessions of the robotic platform with speech-language pathologists supervision and analyzing the experience of real male and female patients collecting data by in-depth interviews and video recordings at Heredia Special Education Center in Costa Rica. The practical approach of the cyber-physical platform has preliminarily support. Testing with SLPs and 3 other older individuals suggests that it may become a useful tool to assist professionals in the treatment of some types of articulation disorders. The time savings and data collection possibilities should be included in future investigations of efficacy.

ABSTRACT Persons living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease, are often asked to make important decisions regarding power wheelchair (PWC) selection soon after receiving a diagnosis. There is currently a paucity of consumer-friendly information to aid clients living with ALS in better understanding the long-term functional implications of decisions made during the PWC selection process. The purpose of this action research project was to identify the specific considerations and choices required during the PWC selection process to use as the basis for creating a concise, educational video tool that emphasizes functional independence and self-advocacy for clients living with ALS. Semi-structured interviews of a panel of expert stakeholders were conducted to isolate important considerations for PWC selection in clients living with ALS. Qualitative data were collected through coded interviews and used to prioritize themes that were incorporated into an educational video. Once the draft video was created, the expert panel was provided time to review and critique the video prior to the creation of a professional quality video. Major themes identified and analyzed included environmental considerations, PWC component options, self-advocacy, and transportation. The video resource aims to be a resource for beginning a conversation about PWC options to make the PWC evaluation and selection process less daunting for clients and their caregivers.

Socially assistive robots (SAR) have the potential to impact therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by supporting clinicians in increasing learning opportunities presented to individuals. Recent research on robot-mediated intervention (RMI) delivery has predominantly addressed social deficits in ASD with positive outcomes. Current literature has minimal focus on teaching children with ASD a skill not known apriori by the individual. Furthermore, it is unclear how to integrate robots in clinical settings because current RMIs do not adhere to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) protocols. In this work, we investigated whether a RMI could be utilized to teach children with ASD a completely new language and communication skill they could not exhibit at baseline. We utilized a standard ABA assessment tool to first identify appropriate skills to teach children with ASD. We then developed, implemented, and evaluated a RMI intervention that followed standard clinical operating procedures in ABA and targets participants’ unique skill deficits. We examined the effects of the RMI training on teaching wh-question answering. All sessions were conducted with the SAR as the primary therapist using evidenced-based ABA human teaching protocols. All participants acquired the wh-questions answering skill within seven sessions which is in line with their typical acquisitions rates.

ABSTRACT Assistive technology (AT) can be used to support the academic and social development of students with disabilities in the classroom. This research asked teachers of students with disabilities to share the elements that they report as being necessary for the successful implementation of assistive technology they have available in their classrooms. The teachers reported on their successful experiences. There has been a great deal of research in the appropriate selection of devices to suit the needs of the individual student and their environment. While the successful implementation and incorporation of the AT into the classroom have been researched, it has emerged from this research that teachers are not utilizing commonly identified implementation checklists/processes. A number of key successful elements were identified, such as training, time to plan and respond, using AT effectively, the effort/experience of the teacher, and external support available. Each of these elements is discussed along with suggestions for a simplified implementation process. It should be noted that specific disabilities and assistive technologies were not a focus of the study. Future directions for research in the area of AT implementation are indicated.

ABSTRACT Wheeled mobility devices enable persons with limited mobility to maintain an independent lifestyle. Lever-drive propulsion options have been shown to increase wheeled mobility device efficiency while reducing physical strain on users. Despite these benefits, they have not been widely adopted for everyday use. Two novel lever-drive devices (RoScooter and RoTrike) provide an alternative to pushrim propulsion by using an integrated front-and-center push-pull lever mechanism. The objectives of this study were to assess the usability and performance of the lever-drive devices using both rehabilitation professional and user feedback. The study enrolled 17 rehabilitation professionals and 13 users who performed various mobility tasks to rate the performance of the RoScooter and RoTrike for ease of use, stability, safety, appearance, and comfort. Users were graded on their performance using a scoring system based on the Wheelchair Skills Test. Rehabilitation professionals suggested improvements in regard to adjustability, maneuverability, target population, and appearance, preferring the operations of the RoScooter to the RoTrike. Users reported that the devices were entertaining and easy to use, but improvements in adjustability, reversal methods, and operation options to appeal to a wider range of consumers are needed before lever-drive devices are suitable to replace or supplement current wheeled mobility devices.

ABSTRACT To explore pain complaints and health-related conditions, verifying if permanent or temporary usage of forearm crutches could be associated with them. We designed a cross-sectional study from a sample who answered a five-month public call. We organized data into five domains: (1) diseases, signs and symptoms; (2) personal factors related to age, sex, marital status, and paid occupation; (3) body structure and functional components defined by body mass index, arterial pressure, mental state, and pain; (4) activities and participation assessed by satisfaction with Assistive Technology; (5) and environmental factors focused on medicines and forearm crutch usage. The sample was geo-referenced by address, and the frequency of the codified health conditions was distributed according to ICD-10’s chapters. We recruited three times more permanent than temporary users dealing with chronic and external causes of diseases. Pain mapping suggested different pattern of complaints between permanent and temporary users. Women who were temporary users seemed more likely to be injured because of external causes. Moreover, both users reported intense (31%) and moderate (53%) levels of pain. In contrast, mild pains were only reported by permanent users (16%), suggesting a distinction between acute and chronic pain according to the kind of forearm crutch usage.

ABSTRACT This paper describes the interface and testing of an indoor navigation app – ASSIST – that guides blind & visually impaired (BVI) individuals through an indoor environment with high accuracy while augmenting their understanding of the surrounding environment. ASSIST features personalized interfaces by considering the unique experiences that BVI individuals have in indoor wayfinding and offers multiple levels of multimodal feedback. After an overview of the technical approach and implementation of the first prototype of the ASSIST system, the results of two pilot studies performed with BVI individuals are presented – a performance study to collect data on mobility (walking speed, collisions, and navigation errors) while using the app, and a usability study to collect user evaluation data on the perceived helpfulness, safety, ease-of-use, and overall experience while using the app. Our studies show that ASSIST is useful in providing users with navigational guidance, improving their efficiency and (more significantly) their safety and accuracy in wayfinding indoors. Findings and user feedback from the studies confirm some of the previous results, while also providing some new insights into the creation of such an app, including the use of customized user interfaces and expanding the types of information provided.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to analyze the effects of successful aging on technology acceptance and use behaviors, via developing a model. This study was conducted with 687 participants in five Retirement Rest Homes in Turkey. A model was developed to meet the study’s research objectives using the scales of successful aging and the second unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. A path analysis was performed with Partial Least Squares (PLS) structural equation model. Struggle Against Difficulties (SAD) significantly predicted performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, price value, habit, and behavior intention, even though SAD did not predict USE. HLH significantly predicted performance expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions; HLH did not predict effort expectancy, hedonic motivation, price 15 value, habit, behavior intention, and USE. It was revealed that successful aging affected the technology acceptance model in general except the use of technology. It is recommended for future studies that successful aging should be evaluated with varied model studies.

ABSTRACT Background: According to clinical guidelines, rolling walker users should walk with their feet between the posterior wheels of the walker; however approximately 50% of users do not. Objective: To describe the development and effects of a custom device designed to attach to a walker and provide visual feedback to encourage improved user position. Methods: Fourteen older adults participated in this study to validate the effects of this device when a 10% decrease in the users’ habitual distance away from the walker was encouraged via feedback. Users’ relative distances were recorded using a non-contact distance sensor within the device, while kinematics were measured using commercial wearable wireless inertial sensors. Results: Individuals were able to ambulate on average 20% closer or more to their walker when prescribed the visual feedback. This was primarily achieved through a reduction in shoulder flexion. Trunk and cervical postures were less generalizable as only small and variable changes were observed. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the device has promise, as individuals attended to the device and walked in a position closer to that recommended by clinical guidelines. The device did not appear to improve posture. Future work is needed to determine long-term effects.