Use of an agile bridge in the development of assistive technology

Engaging with end users in the development of assistive technologies remains one of the major challenges for researchers and developers in the field of accessibility and HCI. Developing usable software systems for people with complex disabilities is problematic, software developers are wary of using user-centred design, one of the main methods by which usability can be improved, due to concerns about how best to work with adults with complex disabilities, in particular Severe Speech and Physical Impairments (SSPI) and how to involve them in research. This paper reports on how the adoption of an adapted agile approach involving the incorporation of a user advocate on the research team helped in meeting this challenge in one software project and offers suggestions for how this could be used by other development teams

Bridging policies and practice: challenges and opportunities for the governance of disability and ageing

Introduction: In the context of an increasingly ageing society with a growing number of persons diagnosed with chronic disabling conditions including dementia and persons with disabilities, ageing and disability represent two policy fields which need to be jointly rethought. So far, policymakers and other political actors have not adequately reacted to these changing demographics.Description of policy and practice: The two policy fields are based upon different presuppositions. Also, disability and ageing interest groups set different agendas. As several political actor groups with diverse interests and goals operate in the political space, efforts to bridge policies and practices in ageing and disability are confronted with several challenges.Conclusion and discussion: In order to create a policy framework for disability and ageing, shared political priorities need to be developed. It is necessary to re-think current disability and ageing policies and the objectives formulated by diverse interest groups in both fields, and future policies should not only focus on 'active/healthy/normal ageing' vs. 'non-healthy/non-normal ageing'. Overlap of contents between disability and ageing policies exists with both fields informing one another. This mutual influence will shape policymaking and policy practices with regard to an ageing population with a growing number of persons with disabilities.In the context of an increasingly ageing society with a growing number of persons diagnosed with chronic disabling conditions including dementia and persons with disabilities, ageing and disability represent two policy fields which need to be jointly rethought. So far, policymakers and other political actors have not adequately reacted to these changing demographics

Lebanese women and sexuality:A qualitative inquiry

OBJECTIVES: This study explores the meanings middle-aged Lebanese women attribute to sexuality and sexual life and how these constructs are shaped socially, culturally, and politically.STUDY DESIGN: Using a qualitative design, data generation comprised semistructured individual interviews (n = 18) and one focus group (n = 5) with Lebanese women aged 40-55 years. Framework analysis was used for data analysis.RESULTS: Inductive analysis identified four themes: Sexuality as imposed by sociocultural and gender norms; sexuality as a symbol of youthful femininity; sexual life as a fundamental human need; and sexual life as a marital unifier and family stabiliser. Findings show that women's sexual self is largely defined based on men's needs. Women sacrifice themselves to maintain family cohesiveness, which they regard as the core of society. However, some women challenged social norms and therefore bringing new meanings to their sexuality.CONCLUSION: This study offers new contextual information about the understanding of sexuality of middle-aged women within a Lebanese context, where the topic is not openly discussed. New insights are important to provide women with professional support that is culturally sensitive and appropriate.</p

Exploring the use of information and communication technology by people with mood disorder:a systematic review and metasynthesis

BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of evidence relating to how information and communication technology (ICT) can be used to support people with physical health conditions. Less is known regarding mental health, and in particular, mood disorder. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a metasynthesis of all qualitative studies exploring the use of ICTs by people with mood disorder. METHODS: Searches were run in eight electronic databases using a systematic search strategy. Qualitative and mixed-method studies published in English between 2007 and 2014 were included. Thematic synthesis was used to interpret and synthesis the results of the included studies. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies were included in the synthesis. The methodological design of the studies was qualitative or mixed-methods. A global assessment of study quality identified 22 studies as strong and 12 weak with most having a typology of findings either at topical or thematic survey levels of data transformation. A typology of ICT use by people with mood disorder was created as a result of synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic review and metasynthesis clearly identified a gap in the research literature as no studies were identified, which specifically researched how people with mood disorder use mobile ICT. Further qualitative research is recommended to understand the meaning this type of technology holds for people. Such research might provide valuable information on how people use mobile technology in their lives in general and also, more specifically, how they are being used to help with their mood disorders

The SCI Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES): development and psychometric properties

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rising prevalence of secondary conditions among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) has focused recent attention to potential health promotion programs designed to reduce such adverse health conditions. A healthy lifestyle for people with SCI, including and specifically, the adoption of a vigorous exercise routine, has been shown to produce an array of health benefits, prompting many providers to recommend the implementation of such activity to those with SCI. Successfully adopting such an exercise regimen however, requires confidence in one's ability to engage in exercise or exercise self-efficacy. Exercise self-efficacy has not been assessed adequately for people with SCI due to a lack of validated and reliable scales, despite self efficacy's status as one of the most widely researched concepts and despite its broad application in health promotion studies. Exercise self efficacy supporting interventions for people with SCI are only meaningful if appropriate measurement tools exist. The objective of our study was to develop a psychometrically sound exercise self-efficacy self-report measure for people with SCI.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Based on literature reviews, expert comments and cognitive testing, 10 items were included and made up the 4-point Likert SCI Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES) in its current form. The ESES was administered as part of the first wave of a nationwide survey (n = 368) on exercise behavior and was also tested separately for validity in four groups of individuals with SCI. Reliability and validity testing was performed using SPSS 12.0.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cronbach's alpha was .9269 for the ESES. High internal consistency was confirmed in split-half (EQ Length Spearman Brown = .8836). Construct validity was determined using principal component factor analysis by correlating the aggregated ESES items with the Generalised Self Efficacy Scale (GSE). We found that all items loaded on one factor only and that there was a statistically significant correlation between Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES) and Generalised Self Efficacy Scale (GSE) (Spearman RHO = .316; p < .05; n = 53, 2-sided).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Preliminary findings indicate that the ESES is a reliable instrument with high internal consistency and scale integrity. Content validity both in terms of face and construct validity is satisfactory.</p

Increasing physical activity levels in care homes for older people:a quantitative scoping review of intervention studies to guide future research

Physical activity (PA) levels in older care home residents are low. This has detrimental effects on health. Little is known about the nature of interventions to increase physical activity in this population. A scoping review to: (1) identify and describe interventions to increase PA in older care home residents, and (2) describe the extent to which interventions address care home context, systemised by social–ecological models. We systematically searched databases for peer-reviewed intervention studies to increase PA in older people resident in care homes. Data were extracted using the template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) and mapped against a social–ecological framework to locate the intervention focus. The 19 included studies consisted of interventions tested in randomised or quasi-experimental trial designs. Interventions consisted of single or multiple components and predominantly addressed individual resident level factors (such as muscle strength) rather than broader social and environmental aspects of context. Interventions were not all fully described. For most interventions a distinct theoretical foundation was not identified. Interventions were mostly delivered by health professionals and research staff external to care homes. Future interventions should address contextual care home factors and should be clearly described according to intervention description guidance.Implications for rehabilitationPhysical activity holds promise as an effective means of improving health and function in older care home residents, but physical activity levels in this population are low.Several reasons beyond the individual resident but related to care home contextual factors may explain low PA in care homesTo date, contextual factors influencing PA in care homes have been poorly addressed in interventions.Wider care home context (social, cultural, and environmental factors) must be considered in future interventions. Physical activity holds promise as an effective means of improving health and function in older care home residents, but physical activity levels in this population are low. Several reasons beyond the individual resident but related to care home contextual factors may explain low PA in care homes To date, contextual factors influencing PA in care homes have been poorly addressed in interventions. Wider care home context (social, cultural, and environmental factors) must be considered in future interventions.</p