Inter- and intra-rater reliability of cognitive assessment conducted by assistive robot for older adults living in the community: a preliminary study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to reveal inter- and intra-rater reliability of the detailed evaluation of cognitive function by assistive robot for older adults.

Methods: We investigated the inter-rater and test-retest reliability. Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination was conducted twice for each participant using an assistive robot and the examiner respectively (Experiment 1).

Classification of windswept posture in daily life using tri-axial accelerometers.

An asymmetric windswept posture is often seen in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP). However, it is still unclear how long children with CP remain in the windswept posture in daily life. Thus, we developed a triple-accelerometer system for detecting windswept posture.

Quantification of User Driving Behavior in Motorized Mobility Scooters using CNN-based Head Pose Estimation Algorithm.

There is a growing concern regarding the driving safety of Motorized Mobility Scooters (MMSs) for the elderly and mobility-impaired individuals. Although various research has made progress in sensor-based driving assistance systems to identify environmental hazards, few studies focus on investigating the impact of user behavior on MMS driving. In this paper, a driving status logging (DSL) system is developed to measure the user's behavior while driving.

Provision status of assistive products for cognition to older adults with cognitive impairment among rehabilitation therapists.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the provision and need for assistive products for older adults with cognitive impairment among rehabilitation therapists, identify any unmet needs, and analyze current issues in providing such products.

Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey with rehabilitation therapists involved in selecting and providing assistive products for cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments. Questionnaires comprising ten items about the experience and need for cognitive assistive products were sent to 300 facilities for older adults in Japan between January and February 2021.

Research Participant Selection Bias in the Workshop Using Socially Assistive Robots for Older Adults and Its Effect on Population Representativeness.

Every research participant has their own personality characteristics. For example, older adults assisted by socially assistive robots (SAR) may have their own unique characteristics and may not be representative of the general population of older adults. In this research, we compared the average personality characteristics of participants in a workshop on robotics recruited directly through posting with those of older Japanese adults to examine participant selection bias and group representativeness for future study of SARs.

A concept for emotion recognition systems for children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities based on artificial intelligence using physiological and motion signals.

Purpose: This study proposes a concept for emotion recognition systems for children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) based on artificial intelligence (AI) using physiological and motion signals.

Methods: First, the heartbeat interval (R-R interval, RRI) of a child with PIMD was measured, and the correlation between the RRI and emotion was briefly tested in a preliminary experiment. Then, a concept based on AI for emotion recognition systems for children with PIMD was created using physiological and motion signals, and an emotion recognition system based on the proposed concept was developed using a random forest classifier taking as inputs the RRI, eye gaze, and other data acquired using low physical burden sensors.

Eliciting a User's Preferences by the Self-Disclosure of Socially Assistive Robots in Local Households of Older Adults to Facilitate Verbal Human-Robot Interaction.

To realize a society in which older adults can live independently in their homes and familiar environments for as long as possible, their lives can be supported by providing appropriate technology. In this case, a new intervention for older people using socially assistive robots (SARs) is proposed; however, previous research has demonstrated that individual differences exist in the use and response to SAR interventions, and it has also been reported that SARs are not used by users in some cases. Therefore, in this study, we developed a self-disclosure function to promote continuous interaction with robots, using a Japanese corpus and self-disclosure items.

The application of an information support robot to reduce agitation in an older adult with Alzheimer's disease living alone in a community dwelling: a case study.

Objective/background: Agitation is a common behaviour of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Although healing robots have previously been used for alleviating agitation for people with dementia in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, its effects remain unclear whether an information-support robot capable of disseminating information with user needs may have similar effects when it is applied in community dwellings. This study was to investigate the effects of information-support robots for reducing agitation in older people with AD residing alone in community-dwellings.

Effect of the Information Support Robot on the Daily Activity of Older People Living Alone in Actual Living Environment.

Information support robots (ISRs) have the potential to assist older people living alone to have an independent life. However, the effects of ISRs on the daily activity, especially the sleep patterns, of older people have not been clarified; moreover, it is unclear whether the effects of ISRs depend on the levels of cognitive function. To investigate these effects, we introduced an ISR into the actual living environment and then quantified induced changes according to the levels of cognitive function.

Perspectives of Multidisciplinary Professional Teams during Assessment Processes for ATD Selection in the Japanese Public Provision System.

Selection of assistive technology devices (ATDs), which are imperative for persons with disabilities to improve their quality of life, requires collaboration of users and multidisciplinary professionals. However, it is still unknown how to design and implement an adequate collaborative work flow and a professional team. Under Japanese governmental ATD provision system, based on the application by clients, ATDs are mainly selected through collaborative processes with the clients and health professionals in public organizations, rehabilitation counseling centers (RCCs).

Comprehensible instructions from assistive robots for older adults with or without cognitive impairment.

The purpose of this study was to reveal comprehensible instructions from an assistive robot for older adults, across cognitive levels and characteristics. Participants included 19 older adults with or without cognitive impairment. We administered cognitive tests assessing all major domains (e.

Opening the GATE: systems thinking from the global assistive technology alliance.

This paper describes international actions to collaborate in the assistive technology (AT) arena and provides an update of programmes supporting AT globally. The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies the severe global uneven distribution of resources, expertise and extensive unmet need for AT, as well the optimistic substantial capability for innovations and developments in appropriate and sustainable AT design, development and delivery. Systems thinking and market shaping are identified as means to address these challenges and leverage the ingenuity and expertise of AT stakeholders.

Mechanical Regulation Underlies Effects of Exercise on Serotonin-Induced Signaling in the Prefrontal Cortex Neurons.

Mechanical forces are known to be involved in various biological processes. However, it remains unclear whether brain functions are mechanically regulated under physiological conditions. Here, we demonstrate that treadmill running and passive head motion (PHM), both of which produce mechanical impact on the head, have similar effects on the hallucinogenic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor subtype 2A (5-HT) signaling in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of rodents.

Effectiveness of using assistive technology for time orientation and memory, in older adults with or without dementia.

Aims: The purposes of this study were to reveal the effectiveness of an electric calendar, showing the date and schedule automatically for older people, and to prove the characteristics of appropriate users.

Material And Methods: The participants were 27 older adults with or without dementia (9 men and 18 women, mean age: 81.5 ± 6.

Reliability and acceptability of using a social robot to carry out cognitive tests for community-dwelling older adults.

Aim: To improve access to cognitive testing for older adults, the reliability and acceptability of a speech-based cognitive test administered by a social robot were investigated.

Methods: The Japanese version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status was administered by a social robot to participants recruited from retirement homes and adult daycare facilities. The robot's dialogue and gestures were preprogrammed, while the researcher controlled the timing of proceeding to the next question and scored participants' responses.

Characterization of the pierce two-node model under exercise load by parameter optimization toward construction of a modified thermal model for persons with spinal cord injury.

In this study, we attempted to develop a thermal model for estimating a body temperature in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) during exercise. To clarify requisites for the SCI thermal model, we compared actual body temperature of SCI subjects with that calculated with a standard thermal model, that is, the Pierce two-node model. Model optimization by the parameter search method was able to fit the model-estimated skin and core temperature with those in able-bodied subjects during repeated exercise and rest.

Construction of a soft wearable body cooling system for persons with spinal cord injury.

This paper describes the construction of a body cooling system to avoid heatstroke for survivors of cervical spinal cord injury. For accomplishment of this purpose, we chose the neck as a cooling point of the body, and we constructed a prototype neck cooling head with a refrigerated circulator. The neck cooling head was made by thin heat-welding thermoplastic films with high thermal conductivity.

Standardization of Assistive Products with Robotic Technology - From a Perspective of ISO/TC173.

ISO/TC173 is a technical committee, in charge of international standardization of assistive products (APs). Robotic technology (RT) is currently an important topic in this field. APs with RT will be included in future revisions of the scope of TC173.

Design of a Behavior of Robot That Attracts the Interest of the Mildly Demented Elderly.

In this study, using the unexpected intervention overturning the interaction amount of the field and the mental model, an interaction of a robot system that enables sustained nonverbal communication with the mildly demented elderly was proposed and its effectiveness was shown in the group home of the mildly demented elderly.

Validation of the ULCEAT methodology by applying it in retrospect to the Roboticbed.

Background: In answer to the increasing demand for care by the Japanese oldest portion of the population, an extensive programme of life support robots is under development, advocated by the Japanese government. Roboticbed (RB) is developed to facilitate patients in their daily life in making independent transfers from and to the bed. The bed is intended both for elderly and persons with a disability.

[Progress in gerontechnology for assisting a super-aged society].

Aim: This paper aims to describe and discuss strategies for the advancement of "gerontechnology," a concept that is useful for solving problems in a super-aged society.

Methods: The term "gerontechnology" is a combination of "gerontology" and "technology" that refers to the fusion of the science of aging and engineering. In this paper, a survey of market size, information technology for persons with cognitive disabilities, personal mobility technology and universal design was conducted.

Thermophysiological responses induced by a body heat removal system with Peltier devices in a hot environment.

Individuals with spinal cord injuries often experience thermoregulation disorders as well as sensory and motor disabilities. In order to prevent such individuals from becoming hyperthermic, we developed a body heat removal system (BHRS) with thermoelectric devices. Our BHRS comprises four Peltier devices mounted on a wheelchair backrest and continuously transfers body heat through the contacting interface to the external environment.

Monitoring of body position and motion in children with severe cerebral palsy for 24 hours.

Purpose: To investigate differences in position and body movements between children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) and children with typical development (TD) during the daytime and while asleep at night.

Method: Fifteen children with severe quadriplegic CP living at home (GMFCS level V, 7 males, 8 females; mean age 8 years 3 months; range 3-20 years) and 15 children with TD (6 males, 9 females; mean age 8 years 7 months; range 1-16 years) participated. Body position and movements were recorded for 24 h by a body position monitor and a physical activity monitor, respectively.