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Robot-assisted home hazard assessment for fall prevention: a feasibility study
Rajani S Sadasivam1, Tana M Luger, Heather L Coley
1Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Health Informatics and Implementation Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA.
Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare
|December 20, 2013
Summary
Remotely operated robots identified more home hazards for fall prevention than in-person assessments, though agreement was low. Participants found robots acceptable, suggesting potential for future use in home safety evaluations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Robotics
- Public Health
Background:
- Home hazard assessments are crucial for fall prevention in elderly populations.
- Traditional in-person assessments can be resource-intensive and may miss certain environmental risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using remotely maneuverable robots for home hazard assessments.
- To compare the effectiveness of robot-assisted assessments with traditional in-person evaluations for identifying fall risks.
- To gauge elderly participants' perspectives on privacy and acceptance of robot-assisted home assessments.
Main Methods:
- Nine elderly participants (≥65 years) underwent home hazard screening using the HEROS tool.
- A remotely operated robot conducted video assessments of the same homes.
- A survey assessed participants' views on the robot's use and privacy implications.
Main Results:
- Robot video assessments identified significantly more hazards (mean=7.0) compared to in-person assessments (mean=4.2).
- High agreement between assessment methods was observed for only two checklist items: bedroom lighting and clear path from bed to bathroom.
- Participants expressed enthusiasm for the robot and reported no privacy concerns.
Conclusions:
- Remotely operated robots show potential for identifying home fall hazards, detecting more risks than in-person methods.
- Limited agreement between robot and in-person assessments highlights the need for further research on optimal robot utilization in fall prevention strategies.
- Elderly participants are receptive to robot-assisted home assessments, indicating a positive user experience.
