Understanding Travel Considerations and Barriers for People with Disabilities to Using Current Modes of Transportation Through Journey Mapping.

This study aimed to apply a journey mapping methodology to identify travel considerations and barriers for people with disabilities (PWDs) at each travel stage, from considering a trip through to arriving at the destination for their current modes of transportation, with the objective of understanding and avoiding "pain points" during a transition to autonomous driving systems. Twenty PWDs, including those with physical, visual, aural, cognitive, and combined physical/visual impairments, participated in a semistructured one-on-one interview. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic information, and qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the transcribed interviews and extract themes.

Development and content validity of the caregiver assisted transfer technique instrument.

Informal caregivers often provide transfer assistance to individuals with disabilities; however, repeated transfers are associated with a high risk of musculoskeletal pain and injury, and training and education around transfers is minimal. The purpose of this study was to develop and assess the content validity of a new tool, the Caregiver Assisted Transfer Technique Instrument (CATT), which could be used to provide an objective indicator of transfer performance. Item importance, clarity, and appropriateness of responses were rated on a five-point Likert scale by clinicians ( = 15), informal caregivers ( = 10), and individuals with spinal cord injury ( = 5).

Accessible autonomous transportation and services: a focus group study.

Purpose: Existing automated vehicle transportation guidelines and regulations have minimal guidance to address the specific needs of people with disabilities. Accessibility should be at the forefront to increase autonomy and independence for people with disabilities. The purpose of this research is to better understand potential facilitators and barriers to using accessible autonomous transportation.

Participatory Action Design and Engineering of Powered Personal Transfer System for Wheelchair Users: Initial Design and Assessment.

Caregivers that assist with wheelchair transfers are susceptible to back pain and occupational injuries. The study describes a prototype of the powered personal transfer system (PPTS) consisting of a novel powered hospital bed and a customized Medicare Group 2 electric powered wheelchair (EPW) working together to provide a no-lift solution for transfers. The study follows a participatory action design and engineering (PADE) process and describes the design, kinematics, and control system of the PPTS and end-users' perception to provide qualitative guidance and feedback about the PPTS.

Preliminary feasibility and acute physiological effects of a single session of upper limb vibration training for persons with spinal cord injury.

Context: Strong upper limb musculature is essential for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) to operate a manual wheelchair and live independently. Targeted upper limb vibration may be a viable exercise modality to build muscle efficiently while eliminating some of the barriers associated with exercise for persons with SCI.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess preliminary feasibility of completing a single exercise session of upper limb vibration and compare the acute physiological effects to a single session of standard dumbbell resistance exercise.

Systematic review: Automated vehicles and services for people with disabilities.

People with disabilities face many travel barriers. Autonomous vehicles and services may be one solution. The purpose of this project was to conduct a systematic review of the grey and scientific literature on autonomous vehicles for people with disabilities.

Health Outcomes Used to Determine Facets of Health-related Quality of Life for Post-9/11 Veterans Using Assistive Technology for A Combat-related Mobility Impairment: A Literature Review.

Introduction: Novel rehabilitation methods, including distribution and adoption of assistive technology for lower extremity impairments, are becoming crucial to ensure positive quality of life in all individuals. The quality of life of post-9/11 combat veterans is not well understood, in comparison to research on other populations. The following essay describes a review on health outcomes used to determine health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) among combat-injured service members who require mobility-related assistive technology.

Preliminary evaluation of an automated robotic transfer assist device in the home setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of six weeks of routine use of a novel robotic transfer device, the AgileLife Patient Transfer System, on mobility-related health outcomes, task demand, and satisfaction relative to previous transfer methods.

Materials And Methods: Six end users and five caregivers used the system in their homes for six weeks. Participants completed several surveys examining perceived demands related to preparing and performing a transfer and mobility-related health outcomes pre and post intervention.

Assessment of Muscle Activation of Caregivers Performing Dependent Transfers With a Novel Robotic-Assisted Transfer Device Compared With the Hoyer Advance.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activity in caregivers while using a novel robotic-assisted transfer device (Strong Arm) to a clinical standard of care (Hoyer Advance).

Design: A quasi-experimental design was used in which 20 caregivers (33 ± 15 yrs old) performed transfers with three surfaces (toilet, bench, and shower chair) with the Strong Arm and Hoyer Advance. Transfer completion time (seconds), peak percentage surface electromyography (EMG), and integrated EMG of the bilateral erector spinae, latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major and anterior deltoid were measured.

Rehabilitation professional and user evaluation of an integrated push-pull lever drive system for wheelchair mobility.

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.

An ergonomic comparison of three different patient transport chairs in a simulated hospital environment.

The purpose of this study was to compare caregiver muscle activation and joint angles between two ergonomic transport chairs designed to mitigate discomfort and safety risks associated with patient transport, the Stryker® Prime TC and the Staxi® Medical Chair, and a depot wheelchair. Twenty-three caregivers completed level walking and ramped tasks with each device and an 84 kg manikin. Surface electromyography for the upper extremities and back muscles and motion data were collected.

Accessibility facilitators and barriers affecting independent wheelchair transfers in the community.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify facilitators and barriers to wheelchair transfers in the community and to identify specific places and surfaces in the community where increasing transfer accessibility could enable greater participation.

Methods: This study enrolled 112 wheeled mobility device users who completed a survey describing barriers to independent transfers. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, and percentages) were used to report the survey results.

Assessment of Usability and Task Load Demand Using a Robot-Assisted Transfer Device Compared With a Hoyer Advance for Dependent Wheelchair Transfers.

Objective: Manual lifting can be burdensome for people who care for power wheelchair users. Although technologies used for dependent transfers are helpful, they have shortcomings of their own. This study compares the usability and task load demand of a novel robot-assisted transfer device to a clinical standard when performing dependent transfers.

Effects of grab bars and backrests on independent wheelchair transfer performance and technique.

Objective: For individuals who rely on wheeled mobility devices for primary mobility, the ability to transfer independently greatly enhances participation in activities within and outside of the home. Nonlevel transfers are challenging and inevitable as not all surfaces in all settings can be made level with an individual's seat to floor height. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two transfer aids, grab bars, and backrests, on the performance and quality of nonlevel transfers.