| 1. |
- Malinowsky, Camilla, et al.
(författare)
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Ability to manage everyday technology : A comparison of persons with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and older adults without cognitive impairment
- 2010
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Ingår i: Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive technology. - Stockholm : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 5:6, s. 462-469
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose. The ability to manage technology is important for performance and participation in everyday activities. This study compares the management of technology in everyday activities among people with mild-stage dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with older adults without known cognitive impairment (OA). Method. Persons with mild-stage dementia (n=38), MCI (n=33) and OA (n=45) were observed and interviewed when managing their everyday technology at home by using the Management of Everyday Technology Assessment (META). A computer application of a Rasch measurement model was used to generate measures of participants' ability to manage technology. These measures were compared groupwise with ANCOVA. Results. The management of everyday technology was significantly more challenging for the samples with mild-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) or MCI compared to the OA sample (AD – OA, p<0.001; d=1.87, MCI – OA, p<0.001; d=0.66). The sample with MCI demonstrated a significantly higher ability to manage technology than the sample with mild-stage AD (AD – MCI, p<0.001; d=1.23). However, there were overlaps between the groups and decreased ability appeared in all groups. Conclusions. Persons with cognitive impairment are likely to have decreased ability to manage everyday technology. Since their decreased ability can have disabling consequences, ability to manage technology is important to consider when assessing ability to perform everyday activities.
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| 2. |
- Malinowsky, Camilla, et al.
(författare)
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Stability of person ability measures in people with acquired brain injury in the use of everyday technology: the test–retest reliability of the Management of Everyday Technology Assessment (META)
- 2016
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - Stockholm : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 11:5, s. 395-399
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: To evaluate the test–retest reliability of the Management of Everyday Technology Assessment (META) in a sample of people with acquired brain injury (ABI). Method: The META was administered twice within a two-week period to 25 people with ABI. A Rasch measurement model was used to convert the META ordinal raw scores into equal-interval linear measures of each participant’s ability to manage everyday technology (ET). Test–retest reliability of the stability of the person ability measures in the META was examined by a standardized difference Z-test and an intra-class correlations analysis (ICC 1). Results: The results showed that the paired person ability measures generated from the META were stable over the test–retest period for 22 of the 25 subjects. The ICC 1 correlation was 0.63, which indicates good overall reliability. Conclusion: The META demonstrated acceptable test–retest reliability in a sample of people with ABI. The results illustrate the importance of using sufficiently challenging ETs (relative to a person’s abilities) to generate stable META measurements over time.Implications for Rehabilitation •The findings add evidence regarding the test–retest reliability of the person ability measures generated from the observation assessment META in a sample of people with ABI.•The META might support professionals in the evaluation of interventions that are designed to improve clients’ performance of activities including the ability to manage ET.
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| 3. |
- Adolfsson, Päivi, et al.
(författare)
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Perception of the influence of environmental factors in the use of electronic planning devices in adults with cognitive disabilities
- 2016
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 11:6, s. 493-500
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Adults with cognitive disabilities often have difficulties in dealing with the complexity of everyday life. With cognitive assistive technology (e.g. electronic planning devices [EPDs] and individual support), they can bring order to their often chaotic life. Assumptions are that environmental factors influence with non-use of EPDs.Objective: To explore how adults with cognitive disabilities perceive the influence of environmental factors in the use of EPDs.Methods: A reference group with experience of use of EPDs assisted the researchers. Twelve adults with cognitive disabilities and experience of using EPDs participated. An interview guide was implemented covering environmental factors according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Qualitative content analysis was applied in the analyses.Results: Five categories and two themes emerged, which were integrated into a model of facilitating factors influencing the use of EPDs. Measures to prevent or eliminate negative influences of the device use are important to be taken.Conclusions: Professionals need more knowledge about EPDs, while users need individual adaption of the EPDs. EPDs need to be user-friendly, manageable and work in any seasons.
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| 4. |
- Almgren Bäck, Gunilla, et al.
(författare)
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Dyslexic students' experiences in using assistive technology to support written language skills : a five-year follow-up
- 2023
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PurposeThis study presents several accounts of user experiences with assistive technology (AT). Although previous studies on dyslexic students reported promising results from using audiobooks, text-to-speech (TTS), and speech-to-text (STT), qualitative research is relatively sparse and short-term, and little is known about adolescents' long-term experiences of using AT in schools. Therefore, this five-year follow-up study aimed to describe dyslexic students' experiences of AT.Materials and methodsNine students with dyslexia were interviewed using a semi-structured framework and a descriptive pattern-based thematic analysis. The students had previously participated in an AT intervention in Sweden.ResultsThree main themes are reported: Contextual factors: facilitators or barriers; Emotional responses in the learning environment; Developing meaningful strategies. The results align with previous research findings that audiobooks are beneficial throughout the school years, while STT is of mixed utility. TTS was mainly used in learning to decode texts. Continued AT use is discussed thematically, concretising experiences connected to schools' multilevel support.ConclusionsThis study can contribute to the development of AT academic practices enriched by users' views. The findings reveal factors enabling or hindering students' continued AT usage. Contextual factors in schools concern organisational elements rather than AT accessibility. Students' emotional responses (using AT in the classroom) are influenced by dyslexia self-acceptance and AT attitudes. Students' understanding of how and why to use AT may limit the development of meaningful strategies. Implications and suggested further research are provided to improve dyslexic students' AT experiences and success in school.
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| 5. |
- Almgren Bäck, Gunilla, et al.
(författare)
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Speech-to-text intervention to support text production among students with writing difficulties: a single-case study in nordic countries
- 2024
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; , s. 1-20
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Studies report that speech-to-text applications (STT) may support students with writing difficulties in text production. However, existing research is sparse, shows mixed results, and lacks information on STT interventions and their applicability in schools. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether a systematic and intensive assistive technology intervention focusing on STT can improve text production. A modified multiple-baseline across-subject design was used involving eight middle school students, four Norwegian and four Swedish. Their STT-produced narrative texts were collected during and after the intervention and the productivity, accuracy, and text quality were analysed. Keyboarding was the baseline control condition. The results demonstrated that seven of the eight students increased text productivity and that the proportion of word-level accuracy was maintained or improved. The use of punctuation progressed in participants with poor baseline skills. Most students’ STT-produced texts had at least a similar ratio of meaningfulness and text quality as keyboarding. However, the magnitude of the changes and development patterns varied, with three students showing the most notable impacts. In conclusion, this study’s intervention seemed beneficial in initially instructing STT, and the progress monitoring guided individually adapted future interventions such as balancing productivity and formal language aspects. Removing the spelling barrier with STT provided an opportunity for students to improve their higher-order skills, such as vocabulary diversity and overall text quality. Furthermore, visible progress, such as the ability to produce longer texts, might motivate continued STT usage. However, such development may not always be immediate.
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| 6. |
- Antfolk, Christian, et al.
(författare)
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Transfer of tactile input from an artificial hand to the forearm: experiments in amputees and able-bodied volunteers
- 2013
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3115 .- 1748-3107. ; 8:3, s. 249-254
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract in UndeterminedPurpose:This study explores the possibilities of transferring peripheral tactile stimulations from an artificial hand to the forearm skin.Method:A tactile display applied to the forearm skin was used to transfer tactile input to the forearm from various locations on a hand displayed on a computer screen. Discernment of location, levels of pressure and a combination of the two in simulated functional grips was tested to quantify the participants' ability to accurately perceive the tactile stimulations presented. Ten participants (5 forearm amputees and 5 able-bodied volunteers) unfamiliar with the equipment participated in the three-stage experiments comprising a learning session with vision, a reinforced learning session without vision and a validation session without vision.Results:The location discernment accuracy was high in both groups (75.2% and 89.6% respectively). The capacity to differentiate between three different levels of pressure was also high (91.7% and 98.1% respectively in the two groups). Recognition of simulated grip was slightly more difficult with the groups scoring 58.7% and 68.0% respectively for accuracy in the validation session.Conclusions:This study demonstrates that it is possible, following a brief training period, to transfer tactile input from an artificial hand to the forearm skin. The level of accuracy was lower for the more complex task, simulated grip recognition, possibly because this represents a more complex task requiring higher order brain functions. These results could form the basis for developing sensory feedback in hand prostheses. [Box: see text].
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| 7. |
- Armannsdottir, A., et al.
(författare)
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Frontal plane pelvis and hip kinematics of transfemoral amputee gait. Effect of a prosthetic foot with active ankle dorsiflexion and individualized training - a case study
- 2018
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 13:4, s. 388-393
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Following a transfemoral amputation (TFA), numerous changes in movement patterns during gait can occur. Frontal plane hip and pelvis compensatory strategies are recognized among individuals with a TFA, some thought to aid in safe foot clearance during the swing phase of gait. The aim of this case study was to evaluate the effect of an active ankle dorsiflexion provided by a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic foot, as well as the effect of individualized training on these parameters. In this case study, a 42-year-old male underwent 3D gait analysis. Data were captured for two conditions; with a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic foot with active/inactive ankle dorsiflexion, during two sessions; before and after 6 weeks of individualized training. The main outcomes analyzed were frontal plane pelvis and hip kinematics. Prior to training, pelvic lift decreased slightly, coupled with an increase in hip abduction, during gait with the active ankle dorsiflexion of a prosthetic foot, compared to inactive dorsiflexion. After the training period, the pelvic lift was further decreased and an increase in hip adduction was concurrently seen. The results of this case study indicate a positive effect of the active dorsiflexion of the prosthetic foot but highlight the need for specific training after prescription of a microprocessor prosthetic foot.
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| 8. |
- Bergström, Aileen, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of manual wheelchairs by individuals with spinal cord injuries
- 2006
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 1:3, s. 175-182
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate how adults with spinal cord injury assess their satisfaction regarding various aspects and use of their manual wheelchair. Method. The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0) together with seven additional questions was sent to 205 adults with SCI. Results. One hundred and twenty-four responses were available. The QUEST 2.0 showed a high level of satisfaction with manual wheelchair properties. However, the respondents were less satisfied with the services offered. Ease of use and comfort were identified as most important. Eighty-nine percent of the respondents rated their level of satisfaction as 'quite satisfied' or 'very satisfied' in ease of using a manual wheelchair compared with 68% of the respondents that were 'quite satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with the level of comfort. A greater satisfaction of ease in propulsion indoors compared with sitting comfort in various activities was found. Conclusions. A discrepancy was shown between users not being as satisfied with comfort in sitting in various activities as opposed to satisfaction with propulsion. This indicates the need for increased knowledge and developments concerning individual solutions, incorporating comfort as well as ease of use of a manual wheelchair.
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| 9. |
- Boman, Inga-Lill, et al.
(författare)
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First steps in designing a videophone for people with dementia : Identification of users' potentials and the requirements of communication technology
- 2012
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; sept:5, s. 356-363
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: To identify, based on the literature, people with dementia´s potentials to manage an easy-to-use videophone, and to develop a videophone requirement specification for people with dementia.Method:The study is based on the Inclusive Design method, utilising the first two of four phases. Content analyses of literature reviews were used to identify users´potentials for managing a videophone and to gather recommendations regarding communication technology design for the target group. Existing videophones in Sweden were examined regarding potentia fit to users with dementia.Findings: This led to detailed identification of cognitive, physical and psychosocial challenges that people with dementia will probably have when using an ordinary telephone or videophone. A requirement specification for videophone design to fit users with dementia was formulated, with the seven principles of Universal Design as a framework.Conclusions: The requirement specification presented here is aimed at designing a videophone but might also facilitate design of other products for people with dementia, particularly in the field of communication technology. Based on this, further work will focus on developing a design concept and a prototype to be empirically tested by people with dementia and their significant others, i.e. the final two design process phases.
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| 10. |
- Boman, Inga-Lill, et al.
(författare)
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Support in everyday activities by a home-based electronic memory aid for persons with memory impairments
- 2010
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. - : Informa. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 5:5, s. 339-350
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: The purposes of this study was to examine the possibilities of a home-based electronic memory aid with sensors for persons with memory impairments, as support to carry out everyday activities in their own home environments. METHOD: The method involved a single-subject study with a multiple baseline AB design. Five participants identified three activities each that they usually forget to carry out. An electronic memory aid with individually spoken reminders was installed in the participant's home. There were automatic computer registrations of completed activities during the study phase of 12 weeks. Assessments of functioning and quality of life (QoL) were conducted before and after the intervention and at follow-up after 2 months. RESULTS: Four participants improved in completing most of the self-chosen activities when the electronic memory aid was used. Performance and satisfaction with performance and QoL improved, but there was no memory function improvement. There were technical problems with the aid, which had a negative effect for users. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic memory aids have a large potential for supporting persons with cognitive impairments. It is important to conduct follow-up afterwards, because the use of an aid and the need of support change over time and put high demands on technical reliability of the electronic memory aid.
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