Assistive Technology in Everyday Living: A User Survey of People With Parkinson's Disease
By Muras, Joanna A.; Stokes, Emma K.; Cahill, Vinny; Technology and Disability, Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 271-282Publication Date: 2008
Study explored the ideas and opinions of people with Parkinson’s disease regarding assistive technology (AT) that may be used for daily living. Study results were derived from 59 responses to a self-reported user survey sent to randomly chosen members of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland. Only 5 respondents reported the use of ATs to aid in self care and household tasks. AT was used by 39 percent of respondents for mobility, with a cane being the most popular form of assistance, while very few survey participants used other ATs such as wheelchairs and transfer devices. One third of participants reported the use of memory aids, the most common of which were paper notebooks followed by mobile phones. Only 11 percent of those answering the survey question about personal alarms reported using them. The majority of participants reported problems with mobility, fatigue, and getting tired fast. Problems with mobility included changing location and body position. For 81 percent of participants, it was important to be able to contact someone in case of a fall. The study concludes that survey results indicate a possible underutilization of AT by people with Parkinson’s disease. Potential factors causing the low utilization of AT mentioned include lack of knowledge of existing technologies, inappropriate design of ATs, and difficulties in their use. Study limitations and recommendations for increasing availability and usage of AT for people with Parkinson’s disease are discussed.
Published by: IOS Press (Website:http://www.iospress.nl)
Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) (Web Site: http://www.aaate.net )
Link to text: http://iospress.metapress.com/content/m32353210888n867
