Long-term use of the JACO robotic arm: a case series

Abstract

JACO increased performance in manipulation and facilitated the accomplishment of certain life habits. Users' increased participation in their life habits may slightly decrease the amount of caregiver assistance required. Future studies are needed to clarify its economic potential, its impact on caregivers' burden, including paid caregivers, and the variability in the tasks performed using JACO. Implications for Rehabilitation The use of JACO may have positive impacts on its users in terms of upper extremity performance, accomplishment of life habits, satisfaction with the device and psychosocial impacts. More research is needed to quantify more accurately the economic potential of the long-term use of JACO, to explore the factors related to the variability in the tasks performed using JACO, and to clarify the impact of JACO on caregivers' burden, including paid caregivers.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an optimized process of providing assistive technology for impaired upper extremity function: Protocol of a prospective, quasi-experimental non-randomized study (OMARM)

“…Internationally, little is known about the (cost-)effectiveness of dynamic arm supports and robotic arms. A decrease in formal and informal care was reported in a study with seven JACO ® robotic arm users in Canada [18], who also indicated that JACO ® enabled working or studying. Additionally, decreased need for assistance i.e.…”

Impacts of a Robotic Arm on People with Upper-Limb Disabilities Due to Neuromuscular Disorder

“…The psychosocial impacts of the robotic arm observed in the current study was much lower than in a previous assessment of long-term JACO users (mean PIADS score: 2.1). 34 Although other factors may contribute to this difference, the duration of use might be a crucial factor. Although the use of robotics arms is intuitive for basic movements, 32,33 it is very likely that a significant amount of training is needed to master these tools completely.…”

“…In previous studies conducted in a controlled environment, people with disabilities using a powered wheelchair were able to perform various activities such as picking up a straw and putting it in a glass or using a door handle with a robotic arm. [32][33][34] Such tasks were perceived as easy to perform with the robotic arm, even by individuals operating the device for the first time. 32,33 In similar controlled conditions, performances of life habits were examined, as well as the progress in the ability to control the JACO robotic arm, through seven 1-hr sessions with powered wheelchair users aged between 7 and 21 years.…”

“…34 Although the activities performed with JACO varied across users, most of them experienced moderate to important psychosocial impacts from using their assistive device and were very satisfied. 34 Similarly, after 1 month of use at home, new users accomplished more tasks, activities, and life habits independently than before using JACO. 31 Comparable results were obtained with iARM users.…”

Robotische Assistenz bei den Aktivitäten des täglichen Lebens am Beispiel der Nahrungsaufnahme

“…Eine qualitative Untersuchung von 7 Personen, die einen JACO-Arm mindestens ein halbes Jahr benutzten, kommt zu überwiegend positiven Ergebnissen, da sie damit Alltagstätigkeiten ausführen können, die sonst nicht möglich wären. Die Nutzung von JACO wirkte sich positiv auf das psychosoziale Befinden aus [2]. Betroffene Personen und ihre Angehörigen müssen sich gleichfalls durch einen Dschungel an Informationen durcharbeiten, bis sie auf passende Produkte stoßen -gerade in kritischen Lebenssituationen und/oder bei fehlendem Internetzugang/fehlenden Internetkenntnissen ist dies schier nicht zu bewältigen.…”