Novel robotic assistive technologies: choosing appropriate training for healthcare professionals

One of the key challenges for the training of healthcare professionals (HCPs) is to maintain a good understanding and knowledge of new assistive technologies (ATs) that are currently on the market [1]. Indeed, at present, available training on ATs is limited and does not meet the practice-related needs of HCPs. It is in this context that the ADAPT European project aims to develop a new AT training programme for healthcare professionals, which will also introduce them to the project’s new AT developments - a smart powered wheelchair and a virtual reality wheelchair-driving simulator. The program consists of six multimodal units; five delivered via e-learning and one through a blended method of e-learning and face-to-face sessions. The development of the content is guided by findings from an earlier literature review and an online survey of AT training needs for HCP’s, both undertaken by the ADAPT cross-national research team, comprised of UK and French experts. The level of technical difficulty increases with successive units in order to train all HCPs to use innovative ATs more widely in their practice. A Learning Management System enables the dissemination of the e-learning AT program. Preliminary results from participant unit-specific evaluations available at this stage are overall positive and encouraging

Medicosocial outcome after admission in post-intensive care unit at PRM St-Hélier, Rennes

IntroductionPost-Intensive Care Units (PICU) are PRM structures aiming to start the appropriated rehabilitative care as early as possible even though persistent complex medical issues.ObjectiveTo assess medicosocial outcomes of patients away from their admission in PICU.MethodsA retrospective descriptive study that included 81 consecutive patients (mean age 51 years) admitted from 2008 to 2012 in the PICU of Pôle St-Helier Rennes based on called semi-structured interviews between March 2014 and March 2015. Exhaustive data (only 4 lost, 5%) by the patient himself and/or a member of family on autonomy, place of life, structures since the release and reintegration, of patients for 85% of them brain damaged.ResultsThere is 29% (21/77) of death (post-exit life: 1,6 years±1.18). Eighty percent live at home (46/56) of which only 5 without family environment, 10% (5/56) in medicosocial structures (foster or nursing homes…), 10% in hospital (hospital at home, persistent vegetative units…). Fourteen percent (8/56) are completely autonomous and work, all with adaptations. Twenty-three percent (13/56) had a significant dependence for activities of daily life and instrumental ones. Forty percent (22/56) have no hobby. Use of different downstream structures, long-term readaptative monitoring, legal and families’ feelings were also analyzed.Discussion and ConclusionMedical and social outcome of patients in the aftermath of a stay in PICU is disparate, depending on the pathology involved, but also the pre-social situation that seems to be the main predictor of returning home. Most patients have regained a relatively large autonomy for the daily life activities but are embarrassed to complex instrumental activities impeding social inclusion. These results are consistent with those of the literature on head trauma patients but no other study has focused for the moment on the specific population of patients admitted to the PICU. We see the value of such early rehabilitative care units with a real impact on the subsequent independence and opportunities back home

Effects of vibration on the bearing asymmetry walking in chronic stroke patients

International audienceIntroduction The asymmetry of support when walking, common after a stroke, is a known risk factor for falls. The objective of this study is to assess effects of muscle vibrations on various sites on correcting this asymmetry. Methods Twenty-one patients (61 ± 13 years) with hemiplegia (10 right, 11 left) chronic vascular (mean time post stroke 48 ± 44months) received vibratory stimulation transcutaneous 70 Hz at the posterior cervical lesion contralateral muscles (NMV), the gluteus medius lesion side (GMV) and the biceps contralateral lesion (sham). An analysis of the percentage of one-foot support measured by GAITRite was performed before, during, and 2 and 10 minutes after each stimulation. Results Before stimulation, supporting asymmetry is noted with a percentage of the push side hemiplegic averaged 31.5% (±6.0%, min = 20%, max = 37%). Under GMV we find that this increases to 35.0% (±5.9%, min = 28.8%, max = 41.2%) against 31.1% (±7.5%, min = 20%, max = 42%) in NMV and 32.0% (±6.9%, min = 28.6%, max = 39.4%) in the sham. 2 minutes, the effect persists for GMV stimulation with 35.5% (±9.0%, min = 35%, max = 42.4%) 4% improvement then disappears in 10 minutes. The results are more significant in left hemiplegia with 7% improvement for GMV (P < 0.005). There is a more moderate effect on the NMV with a post effect at 2 min (32.6%) and 10 min (32.2%). Discussion–conclusion Vibratory stimulations therefore seem to improve support asymmetric walking hemiplegic patients. Different kinetic effect is observed between the cervical stimulation and gluteus medius. These results seem to reflect a different pathophysiology between the gluteus medius and cervical postural muscles. These could act through a central mechanism of spatial cognition while the hip muscles have a more immediate effect proprioceptive device. These analyses were complemented by a 3D gait analysis in an attempt to better understand the mechanisms of adaptation. This is the first study concerned with the effectiveness of vibratory stimulation on dynamic balanc

The contribution of new technologies and robotics in assistive technology for disability: What training is required for healthcare professionals? (L'apport des Nouvelles Technologies et de la Robotique dans les Aides Techniques de Compensation du Handicap: Quelle formation pour les professionnels de santé?)

Anticipating the arrival on the market of assistive technology (AT) integrating new technologies is a current issue in the training of medical and paramedical professionals. Currently, the training offer on AT does not fully meet the growing needs of health professionals. It is in this context that the European research project ADAPT, which is developing an intelligent electric powered wheelchair (EPW) and a driving simulator of EPW driving in virtual reality, is setting up a training programme for health professionals on new assistive technologies. This consists of 6 units, combining online and face-to-face training methods, and incorporates the needs of professionals gathered via a literature review and an online survey. These units have an increasing level of technicality, in order to gradually introduce professionals to the use of innovative TA. A Learning Management System enables online training to be disseminated. The results of the training evaluation are being acquired. For the moment, they have only a limited representativeness but are nevertheless encouraging (Anticiper l’arrivée sur le marché d’aides techniques (AT) intégrant les nouvelles technologies est un enjeu actuel de la formation des professionnels médicaux et paramédicaux [1]. Actuellement, l’offre de formation sur les AT ne répond pas entièrement aux besoins croissants des professionnels de santé. C’est donc dans ce contexte que le projet de recherche européen ADAPT, qui développe un fauteuil roulant électrique intelligent (FREI) et un simulateur de conduite de FRE en réalité virtuelle, monte un programme de formation à destination des professionnels de santé sur les nouvelles technologies d’assistance. Celui-ci se compose de 6 unités, associant modalités de formation en ligne et en présentiel, et respectant les besoins des professionnels recueillis via une revue de littérature et une enquête de terrain. Ces unités présentent un niveau de technicité croissant, afin d’initier progressivement les professionnels à l’utilisation d’AT innovantes. Un Learning Management System permet de diffuser la formation en ligne. Les résultats de l’évaluation de la formation sont en cours d’acquisition. Pour le moment, ils n’ont qu’une représentativité limitée mais sont toutefois encourageants

Novel robotic assistive technologies: choosing appropriate training for healthcare professionals

One of the key challenges for the training of healthcare professionals (HCPs) is to maintain a good understanding and knowledge of new assistive technologies (ATs) that are currently on the market [1]. Indeed, at present, available training on ATs is limited and does not meet the practice-related needs of HCPs. It is in this context that the ADAPT European project aims to develop a new AT training programme for healthcare professionals, which will also introduce them to the project’s new AT developments - a smart powered wheelchair and a virtual reality wheelchair-driving simulator. The program consists of six multimodal units; five delivered via e-learning and one through a blended method of e-learning and face-to-face sessions. The development of the content is guided by findings from an earlier literature review and an online survey of AT training needs for HCP’s, both undertaken by the ADAPT cross-national research team, comprised of UK and French experts. The level of technical difficulty increases with successive units in order to train all HCPs to use innovative ATs more widely in their practice. A Learning Management System enables the dissemination of the e-learning AT program. Preliminary results from participant unit-specific evaluations available at this stage are overall positive and encouraging

The contribution of new technologies and robotics in assistive technology for disability: What training is required for healthcare professionals? (L'apport des Nouvelles Technologies et de la Robotique dans les Aides Techniques de Compensation du Handicap: Quelle formation pour les professionnels de santé?)

Anticipating the arrival on the market of assistive technology (AT) integrating new technologies is a current issue in the training of medical and paramedical professionals. Currently, the training offer on AT does not fully meet the growing needs of health professionals. It is in this context that the European research project ADAPT, which is developing an intelligent electric powered wheelchair (EPW) and a driving simulator of EPW driving in virtual reality, is setting up a training programme for health professionals on new assistive technologies. This consists of 6 units, combining online and face-to-face training methods, and incorporates the needs of professionals gathered via a literature review and an online survey. These units have an increasing level of technicality, in order to gradually introduce professionals to the use of innovative TA. A Learning Management System enables online training to be disseminated. The results of the training evaluation are being acquired. For the moment, they have only a limited representativeness but are nevertheless encouraging (Anticiper l’arrivée sur le marché d’aides techniques (AT) intégrant les nouvelles technologies est un enjeu actuel de la formation des professionnels médicaux et paramédicaux [1]. Actuellement, l’offre de formation sur les AT ne répond pas entièrement aux besoins croissants des professionnels de santé. C’est donc dans ce contexte que le projet de recherche européen ADAPT, qui développe un fauteuil roulant électrique intelligent (FREI) et un simulateur de conduite de FRE en réalité virtuelle, monte un programme de formation à destination des professionnels de santé sur les nouvelles technologies d’assistance. Celui-ci se compose de 6 unités, associant modalités de formation en ligne et en présentiel, et respectant les besoins des professionnels recueillis via une revue de littérature et une enquête de terrain. Ces unités présentent un niveau de technicité croissant, afin d’initier progressivement les professionnels à l’utilisation d’AT innovantes. Un Learning Management System permet de diffuser la formation en ligne. Les résultats de l’évaluation de la formation sont en cours d’acquisition. Pour le moment, ils n’ont qu’une représentativité limitée mais sont toutefois encourageants