OpenTera: A microservice architecture solution for rapid prototyping of robotic solutions to COVID-19 challenges in care facilities.

As telecommunications technology progresses, telehealth frameworks are becoming more widely adopted in the context of long-term care (LTC) for older adults, both in care facilities and in homes. Today, robots could assist healthcare workers when they provide care to elderly patients, who constitute a particularly vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous work on user-centered design of assistive technologies in LTC facilities for seniors has identified positive impacts.

Computerized Care-Pathways (CCPs) System to Support Person-Centered, Integrated, and Proactive Care in Home-Care Settings.

This paper describes the software design/development process leading to an improved computerized clinical/management solution-RSIPA (2016 version)-integrating care pathways (CPs) specifically designed to meet the needs of frail and disabled older adults in home care. The development methodology used Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) for the initial system design and participatory design (PD) to involve stakeholders and end users, along with AGILE SCRUM methodology to provide rapid iterations in adapting to new requests. Given scarce project resources, we opted to combine methodologies to efficiently deliver a fully functional system for three of the five CP clinical phases.

Quantification of Free-Living Community Mobility in Healthy Older Adults Using Wearable Sensors.

Understanding determinants of community mobility disability is critical for developing interventions aimed at preventing or delaying disability in older adults. In an effort to understand these determinants, capturing and measuring community mobility has become a key factor. The objectives of this paper are to present and illustrate the signal processing workflow and outcomes that can be extracted from an activity and community mobility measurement approach based on GPS and accelerometer sensor data and 2) to explore the construct validity of the proposed measurement approach using data collected from healthy older adults in free-living conditions.

Exerciser for rehabilitation of the Arm (ERA): Development and unique features of a 3D end-effector robot.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Consequently, many stroke survivors exhibit difficulties undergoing voluntary movement in their affected upper limb, compromising their functional performance and level of independence. To minimize the negative impact of stroke disabilities, exercises are recognized as a key element in post-stroke rehabilitation.

Telehomecare telecommunication framework - from remote patient monitoring to video visits and robot telepresence.

Over the last few years, the number of remote patient monitoring (RPM) products and of videoconferencing systems has exploded. There is also a significant number of research initiatives addressing the use of service robots for assistance in daily living activities. From a technological standpoint, providing telehomecare services is certainly feasible.

Conditions of Use, Reliability, and Quality of Audio/Video-Mediated Communications During In-Home Rehabilitation Teletreatment for Postknee Arthroplasty.

Background: Audio/video-mediated communication between patients and clinicians using videoconferencing over telecommunication networks is a key component of providing teletreatments in rehabilitation.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to (1) document the conditions of use, performance, and reliability of videoconferencing-based communication in the context of in-home teletreatment (TELE) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and (2) assess from the perspective of the providers, the quality attributes of the technology used and its impact on clinical objectives.

Materials And Methods: Descriptive embedded study in a randomized controlled trial using a sample of 97 post-TKA patients, who received a total of 1,431 TELE sessions.

Can a rescuer or simulated patient accurately assess motion during cervical spine stabilization practice sessions?

Context: Health care providers must be prepared to manage all potential spine injuries as if they are unstable. Therefore, most sport teams devote resources to training for sideline cervical spine (C-spine) emergencies.

Objective: To determine (1) how accurately rescuers and simulated patients can assess motion during C-spine stabilization practice and (2) whether providing performance feedback to rescuers influences their choice of stabilization technique.

Wireless inertial measurement unit with GPS (WIMU-GPS)--wearable monitoring platform for ecological assessment of lifespace and mobility in aging and disease.

This paper proposes an innovative ambulatory mobility and activity monitoring approach based on a wearable datalogging platform that combines inertial sensing with GPS tracking to assess the lifespace and mobility profile of individuals in their home and community environments. The components, I/O architecture, sensors and functions of the WIMU-GPS are presented. Outcome variables that can be measured with it are described and illustrated.

Usability testing of a mobile robotic system for in-home telerehabilitation.

Mobile robots designed to enhance telepresence in the support of telehealth services are being considered for numerous applications. TELEROBOT is a teleoperated mobile robotic platform equipped with videoconferencingcapabilities and designed to be used in a home environment to. In this study, learnability of the system's teleoperation interface and controls was evaluated with ten rehabilitation professionals during four training sessions in a laboratory environment and in an unknown home environment while performing the execution of a standardized evaluation protocol typically used in home care.

Simulated in-home teletreatment for anomia.

This pilot study explored the feasibility of in-home teletreatment for patients with post-stroke anomia. Three participants over 65 years of age suffering from post-stroke anomia were treated in this pre/post-intervention case study. They received 12 speech therapy teletreatments (two sessions/week for 6 weeks) aimed at improving confrontation naming skills.

Effectiveness of cervical spine stabilization techniques.

Objective: To compare head motions that occur when trained professionals perform the head squeeze (HS) and trap squeeze (TS) C-spine stabilization techniques.

Design: Cross-over design.

Participants: Twelve experienced lead rescuers.

The eSMAF: a software for the assessment and follow-up of functional autonomy in geriatrics.

Background: Functional status or disability forms the core of most assessment instruments used to identify mix and level of resources and services needed by older adults who possess common characteristics. The Functional Autonomy Measurement System (SMAF) is a 29-item scale measuring functional ability in five different areas. It has been recommended for use for home care, for allocation of chronic beds, for developing care plans in institutional settings and for epidemiological and evaluative studies.