Recent Technology-Aided Programs to Support Adaptive Responses, Functional Activities, and Leisure and Communication in People With Significant Disabilities

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of recent technology-aided programs (i. e., technology-aided support tools) designed to help people with significant disabilities (a) engage in adaptive responses, functional activities, and leisure and communication, and thus (b) interact with their physical and social environment and improve their performance/achievement. In order to illustrate the support tools, the paper provides an overview of recent studies aimed at developing and assessing those tools. The paper also examines the tools' accessibility and usability, and comments on possible ways of modifying and advancing them to improve their impact. The tools taken into consideration concern, among others, (a) microswitches linked to computer systems, and aimed at promoting (i.e., through positive stimulation) minimal responses or functional body movements in individuals with intellectual disabilities and motor impairments; (b) computer systems, tablets, or smartphones aimed at supporting functional activity engagement of individuals with intellectual disabilities or Alzheimer's disease; and (c) microswitches with computer-aided systems, elaborate communication devices, and specifically arranged smartphones or tablets, directed at promoting leisure, communication, or both.

The neuropsychological effects of motor development mediated by technologies in disabled subjects

“…The observed strengthening is related both to mobility and to spatial cognition. Lancioni, G., et al (2019)…”

“…This way promotes general results, such as increasing life quality, social and cognitive capabilities (Lencioni et al, 2019;Toto & Limone, 2021). Lancioni et al 2019 work focused on patients forced in a wheelchair by motor disabilities. The group installed the MacroDroid app on their smartphones, which works as a stimulation tool and sensor for a technological device installed on their wheelchairs.…”

“…Rogers, J.M., et al (2019) x Buitrago, J. A., et al (2020) x Kokkoni, E., et al (2020) x Cappagli, G., et al (2019) x Lancioni, G. E., et al (2019) x x Pulay, M. Á. (2015)…”

Exploring the Role of Web-Based Interventions in the Self-management of Dementia: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

“…Supporters were recruited in 4 studies, 2 as part of a dyad [32,33], and 2 as supporters [31,34]. Of the 121 supporters recruited, 119 (98.3%) were informal and 2 (1.7%) were formal (see Tables S1 and S2 of Multimedia Appendix 1 [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] and Multimedia Appendix 2 [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41], respectively, for further details of the study and participant characteristics).…”

“…These findings suggest that apps are becoming more popular in the delivery of interventions, either alone or as part of a more complex, multicomponent method. A total of 2 studies examined the same intervention but with different participants [35,36], and 3 others focused on a similar alternative intervention in different participant groups [37][38][39].…”