Journal of rehabilitation and assistive technologies engineering 

About: Journal of rehabilitation and assistive technologies engineering is an academic journal published by SAGE Publishing. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Computer science. It has an ISSN identifier of 2055-6683. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 57 publications have been published receiving 69 citations. The journal is also known as: RATE & Rehabilitation and assistive technologies engineering.

Facilitators and barriers to using telepresence robots in aged care settings: A scoping review

Abstract: Social isolation has been a significant issue in aged care settings, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is associated with adverse outcomes, including loneliness, depression, and cognitive decline. While robotic assistance may help mitigate social isolation, it would be helpful to know how to adopt technology in aged care. This scoping review aims to explore facilitators and barriers to the implementation of telepresence robots in aged care settings. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews reporting guidelines, we searched relevant peer-reviewed studies through eight databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE, Cochrane, PsychINFO (EBSCO), Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, IEEE Xplore, and ACM Digital Library. Google was used to search gray literature, including descriptive, evaluative, quantitative, and qualitative designs. Eligibility includes: studies with people aged 65 years and older who interacted with a telepresence robot in a care setting, and articles written in English. We conducted a thematic analysis to summarize the evidence based on the constructs in the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research. Of 1183 articles retrieved, 13 were included in the final review. The analysis yielded three themes: relative advantages, perceived risks and problems, and contextual considerations. The key facilitators to telepresence robot adoption are as follows: a feeling of physical presence, ease of use, mobility, and training. The barriers to implementation are as follows: cost, privacy issues, internet connectivity, and workflow. Future research should investigate the role of leadership support in implementation and practical strategies to overcome barriers to technology adoption in aged care settings.

Exploring textile-based electrode materials for electromyography smart garments

Abstract: Introduction In recent years, electromyography (EMG) has been increasingly studied for wearable applications. Conventional gel electrodes for electrophysiological recordings have limited use in everyday applications such as prosthetic control or muscular therapy at home. This study investigates the efficacy and feasibility of dry-contact electrode materials employed in smart textiles for EMG recordings. Methods Dry-contact electrode materials were selected and implemented on textile substrates. Using these electrodes, EMG was recorded from the forearm of able-bodied subjects. 25% and 50% isometric maximum voluntary contractions were captured. A comparative investigation was performed against gel electrodes, assessing the effect of material properties on signal fidelity and strength compared. Results When isolating for electrode surface area and pressure, 31 of the 40 materials demonstrated strong positive correlations in their mean PSD with gel electrodes (r > 95, p < 0.001). The inclusion of ionic liquids in the material composition, and using raised or flat electrodes, did not demonstrate a significant effect in signal quality. Conclusions For EMG dry-contact electrodes, comparing the performance against gel electrodes for the application with the selected material is important. Other factors recommended to be studied are electrodes’ durability and long-term stability.

Virtual reality and well-being in older adults: Results from a pilot implementation of virtual reality in long-term care

Abstract: Introduction This paper describes the findings of a pilot implementation project that explored the potential of virtual reality (VR) technology in recreational programming to support the well-being of older adults in long-term care (LTC) homes. Methods 32 Adults in four LTC homes participated in a pilot implementation project where they viewed VR experiences of popular locations in Canada created especially for this project. Data in this paper are based on multiple viewing experiences (n = 102) over a two-week period. Results VR appeared to be an effective distraction from pain for the participants. Participants of this study found the VR experiences to be enjoyable and were relaxed and happy while viewing them. Most participants were attentive or focused while viewing the VR experiences, and the experiences were found to be a source of reminiscence for some of the participants. Participants related well to others around them during a majority of the experiences and the VR experiences were a point of conversation between the staff and the participants. Conclusion The findings from this pilot implementation reveal that VR shows potential to enhance the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of older adults living in LTC, including those living with cognitive impairment.

Technological risks and ethical implications of using robots in long-term care

Abstract: Introduction The pandemic provides a unique opportunity to examine new directions in innovative technological approaches in long-term care (LTC) homes. While robotics could enhance staff capacity to provide care, there are potential technology risks and ethical concerns involved in technology use among older people residing in communal aged care homes. This qualitative descriptive study explores the technological risks and ethical issues associated with the adoption of robots in the specific context of LTC homes. Methods The research team including patient and family partners employed purposive and snowballing methods to recruit 30 LTC participants: frontline interdisciplinary staff, operational leaders, residents and family members, and ethics experts in dementia care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was performed to identify themes that capture empirical experiences and perspectives of a diverse group of LTC stakeholders about robotic use. Results Technological risks include safety, increased workload, privacy, cost and social justice, and human connection. The findings offer practical insights based on the LTC perspective to contribute to the robot ethics literature. We propose a list of pragmatic recommendations, focusing on six principles (ETHICS): Engagement of stakeholders, Technology benefit and risk assessment, Harm mitigation, Individual autonomy, Cultural safety and justice, Support of privacy. Conclusions There is both a growing interest as well as fear in using robotics in LTC. Practice leaders need to reflect on ethical considerations and engage relevant stakeholders in making technology decisions for everyday care.

Using real-world accelerometry-derived diurnal patterns of physical activity to evaluate disability in multiple sclerosis

Abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a leading cause of disability affecting people typically between the ages of 20 and 50 years, with negative impacts on their quality of life. Although medications may reduce the risk of relapses for those with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS), there are limited treatments to slow disability accrued from the progressive subtypes of MS. Measuring disability accrual relies on self-report or the use of clinical measures. Clinical measures for MS suffer from limitations in their ability to detect changes in function that relate to disease progression or intervention responsiveness. For example, the Expanded Disability Status Scale is a widely accepted raterbased categoricalmeasure that provides an overview of disability in people with MS; however, it has limited reliability and sensitivity for detecting small meaningful changes in motor function. 3,4 Walk tests such as the Timed 25-foot Walk and Timed-Up and Go are objective and reliable but only provide quantitative information about a moment in time, limiting the capture of daily (or even hourly) performance fluctuations that may provide an early indication of progression. Self-reported outcomes offer valuable personal perspectives but rely on memory recall, which could be confounded with cognitive changes or depression and anxiety. The heterogeneity of impairments in MS makes it challenging to find an objective outcome measure that reflects a person’s overall disability including daily fluctuations, that can be implemented in a standard way and demonstrates ecological validity. New biophysical markers that can be tailored to a person’s disability, applied in a person’s natural environment, and are simple to apply are greatly needed. Recent studies have turned to the use of motion sensors, such as accelerometers, aiming to develop a new gold standard for quantifying walking mobility. The wearable accelerometer is a non-invasive, objective, and inexpensive technology that records human movement in realtime in a real-world context. Accelerometry data are simple to acquire, making it possible to objectively study physical activity in awide range of individuals at an unprecedented temporal level (i.e., at minute level) in a person’s free-living environment. However, the methods used to analyze accelerometry data often fall well short of the richness of the accelerometry data. Current analysis methods largely rely on aggregated data summaries of either activity intensity or duration of active times defined for activity counts above a certain threshold; the data are often summarized in daily totals which leads to a loss of detail about diurnal distribution of physical activity over 24-h. Use of aggregated data removes the ability to tailor the accelerometry data to a person’s diurnal profile or to use it as a guide for interventions, ultimately expanding its clinical usefulness. To better understand how disease progression affects physical activity, it is possible to evaluate data variations through a 24-h period at refined resolutions rather than summing activity counts over a whole day. Use of functional data analysis tools, allows for study of the entire activity profile, capturing unique information from each accelerometry dataset. Over the past decade,