Technology and Disability - Volume 14, issue 1

Authors: Soede, Thijs

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2002-14101

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 1-2, 2002

Authors: Topo, Päivi | Jylhä, Marja | Laine, Juha

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Dementia is a progressive syndrome and the risk for a dementing disease increases by age. According to several studies, people with dementia and their caregivers have a risk of social isolation. The telephone is the most commonly used communication technology, but people with dementia often have problems using an ordinary telephone. The purpose of this study is to get descriptive information on 1) the role of telephones in the everyday life communication of people with dementia and of their family caregivers and 2) whether an easy-to-use telephone is useful for them. Six people with dementia and their spouses tested a …simple-to-use telephone for two months; they were interviewed four times and they filled in a questionnaire with six open-ended questions focusing on the use of the test telephone. The telephone was a central link to the outside world for both the people with dementia and their caregivers. It had several functions such as getting social support and stimulation, increasing safety and acting as a reminder. The test telephone eased finding numbers and dialling them, and in some cases it helped the person to remember who called and what was discussed. Most of the problems that the people with dementia had with phone use in general did not disappear with the use of the new phone. In most cases it did not help the person to remember whom he called and when. When the functions of technologies used in dementia care have been studied, nine functions have been mentioned: reminders, stimulation and relaxation, compensation, behaviour management, safety, surveillance, control assistance for relatives and service co-ordination. According to our study, telephone use falls under most of these functions. Show more

Keywords: dementia, communication technologies, informal care, independent living

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2002-14102

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 3-13, 2002

Authors: McIsaac, Paul | Craig, Ashley | Tran, Yvonne | Boord, Peter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Recent research by the authors has resulted in the development of an environmental control system (ECS) that enables severely disabled persons to activate devices using their brain signals. This ECS has been called the Mind Switch and its effectiveness is based on alpha wave amplitude increases in response to reduced visual input (brief eye closure). Following extensive studies of the electroencephalograph (EEG) patterns of non-disabled and disabled people, as well as numerous trials of its efficacy, a third generation prototype has now been developed that is capable of being employed in the home environment. This paper describes in some detail …this prototype. The information from this research will be used to optimize ECS technology designed for severely disabled persons to activate, quickly and remotely, electrical devices using their brain signals. Show more

Keywords: alpha waves, severe disability, hands-free control, ECS

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2002-14103

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 15-20, 2002

Authors: Seale, Jane | McCreadie, Claudine | Turner-Smith, Alan | Tinker, Anthea

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: There is an increasing recognition that older people are capable of being critical and active consumers of assistive technologies. This has led to the proposition that older people should be involved in their design and evaluation. In this paper we will describe a focus group methodology used to help older people identify and describe the nature of the mobility-related problems that they encounter, and then put forward ideas for their resolution, which might usefully be addressed by innovative assistive technology research. This methodology was used with four groups of older people and the results revealed that the problems that were …most frequently identified as difficult were bending and reaching, climbing stairs, and finding information. While focus group participants were able to suggest both existing and new solutions to these identified problems the researchers consider that further exploration of the methodology used in this study is needed in order to validate the choice of tools, the composition of the focus groups and the process by which researchers decide which of the potential solutions should be developed further. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2002-14104

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 21-29, 2002

Authors: Kwee, Hok | Quaedackers, Jacques | van de Bool, Esther | Theeuwen, Lizette | Speth, Lucianne

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The POCUS Project has explored the possibilities to use the MANUS Manipulator as an assistive tool for 7 children and young adults with cerebral palsy, aged from 7 to 29 years. In an “interactive development” approach of fast iterations of development (interfaces, control methods), training and testing, new control environments have been created with the ADAPTICOM configuring method. They have been designed for minimal demands on coordinated user control, starting with 2 or 3 switches to control all gripper movements in space. Controls and control procedures have been elaborated individually, resulting in interfaces like large lapboard mounted push buttons, a …keypad, a joystick, head-controlled switches, or an individually moulded hand-held grip with 3 integrated push buttons. Cognitive training has been an integral part of the study, supported by development of teaching tools and tasks. Experimental results have been quite satisfactory, and two test persons have applied for a personal manipulator. User spin-offs include improved wheelchair control, computer access, assistive communication, cognitive skills and attention span. Show more

Keywords: rehabilitation robotics, MANUS manipulator, cerebral palsy, cp, manipulator training, Pocus project

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2002-14105

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 31-42, 2002