Observing Remote Prescription of AT.

A lack of widely accepted guidelines/protocols for remote prescription of assistive technology is noted. This paper reports observations from attempts to use web based videoconferencing with embedded tools for the provision of assistive technology to children with complex needs.

Access Visits Using Video Communication.

An online video communication system is presented that enables Occupational Therapists (OTs) assess patient homes for assistive technology needs before acute care discharge to ensure appropriate independence and recovery conditions. Explorations under multiple conditions revealed perspectives from OTs and volunteer facilitators. Preliminary key findings and insights are reported.

IntelliTable: Inclusively-Designed Furniture with Robotic Capabilities.

IntelliTable is a new proof-of-principle assistive technology system with robotic capabilities in the form of an elegant universal cantilever table able to move around by itself, or under user control. We describe the design and current capabilities of the table and the human-centered design methodology used in its development and initial evaluation. The IntelliTable study has delivered robotic platform programmed by a smartphone that can navigate around a typical home or care environment, avoiding obstacles, and positioning itself at the user's command. It can also be configured to navigate itself to pre-ordained places positions within an environment using ceiling tracking, responsive optical guidance and object-based sonar navigation.

Feasibility study of portable technology for weight loss and HbA1c control in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The study investigated the feasibility of conducting a future Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention for weight loss and HbA1c reduction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The intervention was a small wearable mHealth device used over 12 weeks by overweight people with T2DM with the intent to lose weight and reduce their HbA1c level. A 4 week maintenance period using the device followed. The device records physical activity level and information about food consumption, and provides motivational feedback based on energy balance. Twenty-seven participants were randomised to receive no intervention; intervention alone; or intervention plus weekly motivational support. All participants received advice on diet and exercise at the start of the study. Weight and HbA1c levels were recorded at baseline and weeks 6, 12, and 16. Qualitative interviews were conducted with participants who received the intervention to explore their experiences of using the device and involvement in the study including the training received. RESULTS: Overall the device was perceived to be well-liked, acceptable, motivational and easy to use by participants. Some logistical changes were required during the feasibility study, including shortening of the study duration and relaxation of participant inclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics of weight and HbA1c data showed promising trends of weight loss and HbA1c reduction in both intervention groups, although this should be interpreted with caution. CONCLUSIONS: A number of methodological recommendations for a future RCT emerged from the current feasibility study. The mHealth device was acceptable and promising for helping individuals with T2DM to reduce their HbA1c and lose weight. Devices with similar features should be tested further in larger studies which follow these methodological recommendations.

Applying guidelines for evaluating digital technologies for people living with dementia: A case study.

Affordable solutions are needed to offer the growing population of people diagnosed with dementia support to maintain independence. Assistive technology has the potential to address this issue but devices should be tailored to the needs of this population. Previous work has focused on the design of such technologies and in new work evaluation (trial) guidelines are proposed to offer consistency amongst researchers looking to test completed products with intended users. The guidelines are implemented as trial protocol guidance and are applied to an existing protocol as a case example of how the guidelines could be used. Differences between the protocol and the guidelines are highlighted and provide evidence as to the potential usefulness of the document in informing an evaluation. The need for further development of the guidelines is also discussed and the authors state their intention to collaborate internationally in order to evolve the framework to the stage where it can be published as an accessible resource.

Barriers and Facilitators to Uptake of Assistive Technologies: Summary of a Literature Exploration.

This paper aims to highlight some of the issues that arise with the uptake of assistive technology as found in the literature across four different domains: Telehealth; Telecare; Augmentative and Alternative Communication; and Education. The authors were not looking so much at service delivery models as user centred experiences and key words that were used to describe outcomes. The results showed remarkable similarities in the concerns of patients, families, users and other stakeholders. However, different terminologies across the fields highlighted the gulf between the fields, with professional 'silo-ing' of expertise occurring. There is a necessity for increased collaboration that could allow for knowledge sharing and enhanced assessment, uptake and continued use of assistive technologies for all potential users.

Locating assistive technology research in a clinical setting: an occupational perspective.

Peer research was used to identify the experience and perceptions of assistive technology and telecare adoption in a UK healthcare context. A narrative account of participation and learning is intended to provoke further dialogue. There have been a range of policy and implementation initiatives that are within the direct experience of organisational actors over the last 15 years and this engagement allows for specific reflection on the service achievements and some of the barriers to implementation of technology changes in rehabilitation practice and service design. Insights are presented that suggest a reification of research priorities and a need to align technology, through patient and public engagement, to provider priorities. In addition, an improvement in adoption would be based on sustained capacity building within the Occupational Therapy workforce and a re-focus on specific knowledge sharing and learning about technology. Given the shared desire to promote the sustained adoption of appropriate technology for assistance and rehabilitation it is suggested the voice of practitioners is strengthened through research and knowledge exchange in the clinical setting.

Assistive Technology: Creating and Engaging Collaborative Communities.

This paper outlines the remit of the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council KT-EQUAL (Knowledge Transfer for Extending Quality of Life for older and disabled people) programme. Case examples drawing on the range of activities undertaken by KT-EQUAL highlight where assistive technology developments have been facilitated, the value of network activities and an underpinning model of engagement and collaboration. Given an increasing emphasis on the impact of research the model and innovative approaches deployed by KT-EQUAL are even more crucial in future developments which aim to ensure that research can be used to benefit society.

Knowledge Exchange: selecting research opportunities through estimation.

A systematic way to select new ideas for research and development between two organisations is reported. It was applied to ideas that were generated from acute clinical settings by Occupational Therapists with a view to collaborate with nearby university academics from many disciplines. The process, assessment factors, use of ordinal scales with thresholding and an arbitrary formula are described. Challenges in the approach are discussed. Suitability for use by others in the AT field, other care related or even very different contexts is noted with some adaption and caveats.