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Providing rehabilitation integrated systems using existing rehabilitation technology
A D Cherry1, P A Cudd, M S Hawley
1Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, University of Sheffield, UK.
Medical Engineering & Physics
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Developing integrated rehabilitation systems (RIS) is challenging. A new software approach integrates assistive applications for tailored user control, highlighting the need for better hardware and software standards and more efficient selection methods.
Area of Science:
- Assistive Technology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Rehabilitation Engineering
Background:
- Current integrated systems for controlling multiple assistive devices are limited.
- Effective rehabilitation integrated systems (RIS) require detailed assessment of individual needs and abilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an overview of the RIS provision process.
- To describe a software system for integrating existing assistive applications on a PC to create a flexible RIS.
- To identify challenges and necessary improvements for tailored assistive technology integration.
Main Methods:
- Overview of the rehabilitation integrated systems (RIS) provision process.
- Development of a software system to integrate existing DOS and Windows assistive applications on a PC.
- Analysis of user requirements and system limitations.
Main Results:
- The developed software integrates various assistive applications, offering a more tailored RIS.
- Limitations were encountered due to the integration of different operating systems (DOS/Windows) and existing RIS constraints.
- Windows-based systems show potential for improved compatibility but highlight the need for standardization.
Conclusions:
- Interfacing standards for both software and hardware are crucial for overcoming compatibility issues in integrated assistive systems.
- For users with slow interfaces, quantitative efficiency comparisons and a wider selection of input methods are essential.
- Further development requires addressing standardization and enhancing user interface options for improved RIS effectiveness.