Mapping Robots to Therapy and Educational Objectives for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The aim of this study was to increase knowledge on therapy and educational objectives professionals work on with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to identify corresponding state of the art robots. Focus group sessions (n = 9) with ASD professionals (n = 53) from nine organisations were carried out to create an objectives overview, followed by a systematic literature study to identify state of the art robots matching these objectives. Professionals identified many ASD objectives (n = 74) in 9 different domains. State of the art robots addressed 24 of these objectives in 8 domains. Robots can potentially be applied to a large scope of objectives for children with ASD. This objectives overview functions as a base to guide development of robot interventions for these children

Dementievriendelijke gemeenschappen: Onderzoek naar succesfactoren van dementievriendelijke initiatieven en -gemeenschappen

Dementievriendelijkheid, wat verstaan we daaronder? Een mooi woord voor de inclusie van mensen met dementie en mantelzorgers in de maatschappij. Op dit moment zijn er in Nederland al 280.000 mensen die leven met dementie. In 2040 is dit aantal naar verwachting verdubbeld naar meer dan een half miljoen. Grote kans dat we er allemaal in meer of mindere mate in onze eigen omgeving mee te maken krijgen. Tijdens het werk, in de familie- of vriendenkring, maar ook in de eigen buurt of de eigen straat

ZORA robot based interventions to achieve therapeutic and educational goals in children with severe physical disabilities

This study aimed (1) to examine the contribution of robot ZORA in achieving therapeutic and educational goals in rehabilitation and special education for children with severe physical disabilities, and (2) to discover the roles professionals attribute to robot ZORA when it is used in robot-based play interventions in rehabilitation and special education for children with severe physical disabilities. A multi-centre mixed methods study was conducted among children with severe physical disabilities in two centres for rehabilitation and one school for special education. The participating children played with robot ZORA six times during a period of 6 weeks, in individual or group sessions. Quantitative data were gathered about the contribution of ZORA in reaching individual goals for all of the participating children, using the Individually Prioritized Problem Assessment (IPPA). Playfulness was measured with a visual analogue scale (0–10) and children could indicate whether they liked the sessions using a scale consisting of smileys. Video-stimulated recall interviews were used to collect qualitative data about the different roles of ZORA. In total, 33 children and 12 professionals participated in the study. The results of the IPPA showed a significant contribution of ZORA to the achievement of (children’s) individual goals. The data gathered using the IPPA during the ZORA-based interventions showed that the largest contributions of robot ZORA lie in the domains of movement skills and communication skills. Playfulness of the sessions was 7.5 on average and 93% of the sessions were evaluated as ‘enjoyable’ by the children. Overall, ZORA could positively contribute to the achievement of individual goals for children with severe physical disabilities. According to the participating professionals the most promising roles in which robot ZORA can be used are motivator, rewarder or instructor

Perceived added value of a decision support App for formal caregivers in community‐based dementia care

Aims and objectives To gain insight into the perceived added value of a decision support App for district nurses and case managers intended to support a problem assessment and the provision of advices on possible solutions to facilitate ageing in place of people with dementia, and to investigate how they would implement the App in daily practice. Background District nurses and case managers play an important role in facilitating ageing in place of people with dementia (PwD). Detecting practical problems preventing PwD from living at home and advising on possible solutions is complex and challenging tasks for nurses and case managers. To support them with these tasks, a decision support App was developed. Methods A qualitative study using semi‐structured interviews was conducted. A photo‐elicitation method and an interview guide were used to structure the interviews. The data were analysed according to the principles of content analysis. Results In five interviews with seven district nurses and case managers, the added value was described in terms of five themes: (a) providing a broader/better overview of possible solutions; (b) providing a guideline/checklist for problem assessment and advice on solutions; (c) supporting an in‐depth problem assessment; (d) being a support tool for unexperienced case managers/district nurses; and (e) providing up‐to‐date information. The participants regarded the App as complementary to their current work procedure, which they would use in a flexible manner at different stages in the care continuum. Conclusions The participants valued both parts, the problem assessment and the overview of possible solutions. An important requisite for the usage would be that the content is continuously updated. Before implementation of the App can be recommended, an evaluation of its effectiveness regarding decision‐making should be conducted. Relevance to clinical practice This study underpins the need of nurses and case managers for decision support with regard to problem assessment and providing advices on possible solutions to facilitate ageing in place of PwD. There results also show the importance of listening to users experience and their perceived added value of decision support tools as this helps to explain the lack of statistically significant effects on quantitative outcome measure in contrast to a high willingness to use the App in a previous study

Zorgen voor rust bij onrust

Kan bij verpleeghuisbewoners met dementie onrust worden tegengegaan door de Qwiek.up in te zetten? Een onderzoek naar de effecten van deze beeld- en geluidsinterventie

Evaluation of a decision support app for nurses and case managers to facilitate aging in place of people with dementia: a randomized controlled laboratory experiment

Detecting practical problems of persons with dementia (PwD) experience at home, and advising them on solutions to facilitate aging in place are complex and challenging tasks for nurses and case managers. In this two group randomized, controlled laboratory experiment, the efficacy of a decision support application aiming to increase nurses' and case managers' confidence in clinical judgment and decision-making was tested. The participants (N = 67) assessed a case of a PwD within the problem domains: self-reliance, safety and informal care, and provided suggestions for possible solutions. Participants used either their regular procedure with (intervention group) or without the App (control group) to conduct these tasks. No statistically significant difference was found on the primary outcome measure, the overall level of confidence. However, nurses and case managers highly recommended use of the App in practice. To explain these results, more research on the potential added value of the App is needed

Perceived added value of a decision support App for formal caregivers in community-based dementia care

Aims and objectives To gain insight into the perceived added value of a decision support App for district nurses and case managers intended to support a problem assessment and the provision of advices on possible solutions to facilitate ageing in place of people with dementia, and to investigate how they would implement the App in daily practice. Background District nurses and case managers play an important role in facilitating ageing in place of people with dementia (PwD). Detecting practical problems preventing PwD from living at home and advising on possible solutions is complex and challenging tasks for nurses and case managers. To support them with these tasks, a decision support App was developed. Methods A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted. A photo-elicitation method and an interview guide were used to structure the interviews. The data were analysed according to the principles of content analysis. Results In five interviews with seven district nurses and case managers, the added value was described in terms of five themes: (a) providing a broader/better overview of possible solutions; (b) providing a guideline/checklist for problem assessment and advice on solutions; (c) supporting an in-depth problem assessment; (d) being a support tool for unexperienced case managers/district nurses; and (e) providing up-to-date information. The participants regarded the App as complementary to their current work procedure, which they would use in a flexible manner at different stages in the care continuum. Conclusions The participants valued both parts, the problem assessment and the overview of possible solutions. An important requisite for the usage would be that the content is continuously updated. Before implementation of the App can be recommended, an evaluation of its effectiveness regarding decision-making should be conducted. Relevance to clinical practice This study underpins the need of nurses and case managers for decision support with regard to problem assessment and providing advices on possible solutions to facilitate ageing in place of PwD. There results also show the importance of listening to users experience and their perceived added value of decision support tools as this helps to explain the lack of statistically significant effects on quantitative outcome measure in contrast to a high willingness to use the App in a previous study.</p

Evaluation of a decision support app for nurses and case managers to facilitate aging in place of people with dementia. A randomized controlled laboratory experiment

Detecting practical problems of persons with dementia (PwD) experience at home, and advising them on solutions to facilitate aging in place are complex and challenging tasks for nurses and case managers. In this two group randomized, controlled laboratory experiment, the efficacy of a decision support application aiming to increase nurses' and case managers' confidence in clinical judgment and decision-making was tested. The participants (N = 67) assessed a case of a PwD within the problem domains: self-reliance, safety and informal care, and provided suggestions for possible solutions. Participants used either their regular procedure with (intervention group) or without the App (control group) to conduct these tasks. No statistically significant difference was found on the primary outcome measure, the overall level of confidence. However, nurses and case managers highly recommended use of the App in practice. To explain these results, more research on the potential added value of the App is needed

Robots supporting play for children with physical disabilities: Exploring the potential of IROMEC

BACKGROUND: Play is essential for children's development. Children with severe physical disabilities often experience problems engaging in play. In rehabilitation and special education for children with physical disabilities play-like activities and play for play's sake are important. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed at examining the possibilities of using the IROMEC robot in rehabilitation and special education for children with severe physical disabilities. METHODS: A mixed methods approach, using individual interviews, two rounds of focus group interviews, a questionnaire and a final session to reach consensus, was used to examine the match between the goals in therapy and special education and the IROMEC robot. RESULTS: The existing play scenarios of IROMEC have the potential to support play for children with severe physical disabilities, especially in the domains of movement functions, learning and applying knowledge, communication/interpersonal interactions and relationships, and play. CONCLUSIONS: The current study helped to build a body of evidence to the possibilities of the IROMEC robot. The results of this study can be used to further develop meaningful robotic play interventions for children with severe physical disabilities