PapersFlow Research Brief
Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
Research Guide
What is Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility?
Assistive technology in communication and mobility encompasses devices and systems, such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools and mobility aids, designed to enhance usability, accessibility, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
This field includes 32,885 works focused on the impact of assistive technology, particularly AAC, on people with disabilities, covering usability, accessibility, home environments for aging in place, and mobility devices. "The Person-Environment-Occupation Model: A Transactive Approach to Occupational Performance" by Law et al. (1996) describes occupational performance as resulting from dynamic relationships between people, occupations, and environments, with 1474 citations. "Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice" by Cook and Polgar (1995) outlines core principles for these technologies, cited 981 times.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices
This sub-topic evaluates AAC systems like speech-generating devices for aphasia and autism, focusing on symbol-based vs. text-to-speech efficacy. Researchers measure communication rates and partner interactions via randomized trials.
AAC Usability and Accessibility
Studies assess interface design, motor learning curves, and universal design principles for diverse disabilities using eye-tracking and usability heuristics. Iterative testing refines low-vision and cognitive accessibility.
Assistive Technology Abandonment
Research identifies predictors like poor fit, training deficits, and psychosocial barriers through longitudinal surveys of wheelchair and communication aid users. Interventions target device matching algorithms.
Mobility Assistive Devices
This area covers powered wheelchairs, exoskeletons, and smart walkers, evaluating gait restoration, fall prevention, and energy expenditure in spinal cord injury and stroke. Clinical trials quantify community ambulation gains.
Assistive Technology in Aging in Place
Studies integrate sensors, telehealth, and robotics in home environments to support ADL independence for frail elders. Cost-effectiveness analyses compare institutionalization delays.
Why It Matters
Assistive technologies enable independent living and social participation for individuals with disabilities, as shown in "Predictors of Assistive Technology Abandonment" by Phillips and Zhao (1993), where a survey of 227 adults identified factors leading to device rejection, emphasizing the need for better matching to user needs to avoid serious repercussions. In mobility, "The ReWalk Powered Exoskeleton to Restore Ambulatory Function to Individuals with Thoracic-Level Motor-Complete Spinal Cord Injury" by Esquenazi et al. (2012) demonstrated that most subjects achieved walking proficiency close to limited community ambulation levels using the device. Social robots support elderly care through interaction, per "Assistive social robots in elderly care: a review" by Broekens et al. (2009), addressing health and well-being.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice" by Cook and Polgar (1995) – this foundational text provides core principles and practices, serving as an accessible entry point before specialized studies.
Key Papers Explained
"The Person-Environment-Occupation Model: A Transactive Approach to Occupational Performance" by Law et al. (1996) establishes the transactional framework for occupational performance, which "Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process—Fourth Edition" (2020) builds upon as an official AOTA document for practitioners. "Predictors of Assistive Technology Abandonment" by Phillips and Zhao (1993) applies this by identifying real-world rejection factors in 227 users, informing abandonment prevention in models like those in "Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice" by Cook and Polgar (1995). "Socially Assistive Robotics" by Feil-Seifer and Matarić (2005) and "Assistive social robots in elderly care: a review" by Broekens et al. (2009) extend principles to social interaction aids.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Research emphasizes reducing abandonment through better user-device matching, as in Phillips and Zhao (1993), and evaluating exoskeleton variability, per Esquenazi et al. (2012). Frameworks like Law et al. (1996) and OTPF-4 (2020) guide integration of social robots for communication in aging populations.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Which terms should be used to describe autism? Perspectives fr... | 2015 | Autism | 1.8K | ✕ |
| 2 | The Person-Environment-Occupation Model: A Transactive Approac... | 1996 | Canadian Journal of Oc... | 1.5K | ✕ |
| 3 | Avoiding Ableist Language: Suggestions for Autism Researchers | 2020 | Autism in Adulthood | 1.0K | ✓ |
| 4 | Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice | 1995 | — | 981 | ✕ |
| 5 | Predictors of Assistive Technology Abandonment | 1993 | Assistive Technology | 966 | ✕ |
| 6 | Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process—Fo... | 2020 | American Journal of Oc... | 955 | ✕ |
| 7 | Socially Assistive Robotics | 2005 | — | 930 | ✕ |
| 8 | Assistive social robots in elderly care: a review | 2009 | Gerontechnology | 914 | ✕ |
| 9 | The MoCA | 2010 | Neurology | 908 | ✕ |
| 10 | The ReWalk Powered Exoskeleton to Restore Ambulatory Function ... | 2012 | American Journal of Ph... | 898 | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors predict assistive technology abandonment?
"Predictors of Assistive Technology Abandonment" by Phillips and Zhao (1993) surveyed 227 adults with disabilities and found that decisions to accept or reject devices depend on usability and fit to needs. Abandonment can have serious repercussions for individuals and society. Matching technology to user requirements reduces rejection rates.
How does the Person-Environment-Occupation Model apply to assistive technology?
"The Person-Environment-Occupation Model: A Transactive Approach to Occupational Performance" by Law et al. (1996) explains occupational performance as a transactional outcome of person, environment, and occupation interactions. Assistive technologies support this by adapting environments and enabling occupations for people with disabilities. The model guides occupational therapy practice in this area.
What is the role of socially assistive robotics in communication?
"Socially Assistive Robotics" by Feil-Seifer and Matarić (2005) defines the field as robots assisting through social interaction, distinct from physical contact robotics. These robots aid people with disabilities via companionship and communication support. They focus on non-physical, interactive assistance.
How do assistive social robots benefit elderly care?
"Assistive social robots in elderly care: a review" by Broekens et al. (2009) states these robots support health and psychological well-being through social interaction. They address eldercare needs like monitoring and engagement. Objectives include improving independence in home environments.
What outcomes does the ReWalk exoskeleton provide for spinal cord injury?
"The ReWalk Powered Exoskeleton to Restore Ambulatory Function to Individuals with Thoracic-Level Motor-Complete Spinal Cord Injury" by Esquenazi et al. (2012) showed the device enables safe ambulatory function. Most subjects reached proficiency for limited community ambulation. Performance variability was high among thoracic-level motor-complete patients.
Open Research Questions
- ? What specific design features minimize abandonment rates for AAC devices among diverse disability groups?
- ? How can the Person-Environment-Occupation Model be empirically tested to optimize mobility device integration in home settings?
- ? Which social interaction algorithms in assistive robots best improve communication outcomes for elderly users with cognitive decline?
- ? What user training protocols maximize ambulatory proficiency with powered exoskeletons like ReWalk?
- ? How do environmental factors influence the long-term usability of assistive technologies for aging in place?
Recent Trends
The field maintains steady output at 32,885 works with no specified 5-year growth rate; high-impact papers like "Avoiding Ableist Language: Suggestions for Autism Researchers" by Bottema‐Beutel et al. (2020, 1046 citations) highlight language impacts on AAC perceptions, while frameworks such as "Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process—Fourth Edition" (2020, 955 citations) update transactive models from Law et al.
1996No recent preprints or news available.
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