Daily activity patterns of people provided with a dynamic arm support

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2015:217:819-24.

Abstract

Dynamic arm supports are provided to support activities of daily living in people with limited upper extremity function. A cross-sectional study was performed in the Netherlands involving people who were provided with a dynamic arm support in 2012-2013. An adapted version of the Life-Habits questionnaire was used to assess daily activity patterns. Twenty-three subjects filled in the questionnaire. Tasks people perform themselves in daily life include tasks as eating, drinking, and communication tasks. Participants vary in the need for assistance in order to perform certain tasks. This individual character of daily activity performance is important to bear in mind during the provision of dynamic arm supports. More complex tasks in the field of personal care and household are often performed by caregivers. These are regarded a challenge for the field of assistive technology and/or robotics.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arm*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Self-Help Devices* / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult