Date: Thursday, June 1, 2023
Category: General

The Student Scientific Paper Competition (SSPC) is a long-standing RESNA student program which is held each year at the Annual Conference. Full time students in either an undergraduate or a graduate academic program are encouraged to submit an original scientific paper describing their research in any area of assistive technology. All submissions are reviewed and scored by a panel of reviewers who are experts in areas relevant to its topic. Winners and runners-up are eligibile to win more than $1,000 available in cash prizes, a free RESNA student membership, conference registration, and poster hall presentation opportunities. 

With excitement building for the in-person SSPC presentations at the RESNA 2023 Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, RESNA is pleased to announce the 2023 SSPC winners and runners up. Be sure to support the SSPC winners in-person by attending the SSPC session at the annual conference taking place on Wednesday, July 26 at 8:30am Central.

Winners:

"Ultrasonic trilateration for clinical measurement of seated posture during wheelchair seating and positioning assessment"
Primary author: Madeline Blankenship, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus
Abstract: An improperly fitted wheelchair seating system increases the risk of injury for the user and limits comfort. Clinicians use anatomical landmarks and tools such as goniometers and inclinometers to take measurements of wheelchair users’ posture to prescribe appropriately fitted seating systems and evaluate change over time. A digital measurement tool has the potential to reduce clinician documentation time, develop standardization, and improve measurement accuracy. Here we tested the parameters of a 3D array of low-cost ultrasonic sensors to determine if they would be appropriate to use in the development of a digital measurement tool for the assessment of seated posture. Because errors increased with the actual distance to be measured at amounts that would be clinically relevant, we determined that the proposed selected ultrasonic sensors have limited functionality for designing a wheelchair seating and positioning measurement. 

"We are the best to tell you what to improve! Users’ perceptions about innovative resources to promote evidence-based manual wheelchair skills training in pediatric rehabilitation settings: a descriptive qualitative study"
Primary author: Beatrice Ouellet, Laval University
Abstract: The Wheelchair Skills Training Program (WSTP) positively influences pediatric manual wheelchair users’ (PMWUs) mobility but is underutilized in pediatric rehabilitation settings. Occupational therapists (OTs) perceived the voluminous manual, which lacks guidance on how to train the skills with PMWUs, and the absence of pediatric-friendly training materials as barriers limiting the use of the WSTP. Three sets of WSTP knowledge transfer resources, including storybooks, posters and training workbooks, were created to address these barriers. Objective. Explore occupational therapists’ (OTs) and PMWUs' perceived satisfaction with the 3 sets of resources and these users’ perceptions regarding their usability, relevance, and feasibility in pediatrics. Methods. A descriptive qualitative design was used. Convenient and purposive samples of OTs and PMWUs were recruited from a pediatric rehabilitation center and its affiliated schools. Two 90-minute focus groups (OTs) and 60-minute interviews (PMWUs) were conducted online to document participants’ perspectives on the 3 sets of resources. Data were deductively analyzed using the Framework method. Results. Eight OTs participated in the first focus group and 6 in the second. Eleven PMWUs participated in the interviews to share their perceptions about one or several sets of resources. OTs and PMWUs were satisfied with the 3 sets of resources describing them as playful (usability), easy to use (usability) and helpful (relevance) for training younger and novice PMWUs. OTs perceived they may save time (feasibility) in preparing their interventions when using the resources. OTs and PMWUs provided suggestions for improvement (e.g., skill gets over obstacles: break down the “pop step” into sub-steps). Conclusions. OTs and PMWUs perceived the 3 sets of resources have a great potential to enhance the use of the WSTP in pediatrics. Future efforts may involve creating resources for experienced and adolescent PMWUs.

"Exploring the World on Wheels: A Geospatial Comparison of Two Pediatric Mobility Devices"
Primary author: Mia E. Hoffman, University of Washington
Abstract: Powered mobility devices can assist young children with disabilities in their self-initiated exploration of the world, which is fundamental to their development. At present, no study has quantified a child and family’s usage of different powered mobility devices for young children with disabilities in their home and community setting. Hence, we have quantified 8 children’s (1M:7F, GMFCS II-V) use of both an Explorer Mini (EM) and an adapted ride-on car (ROC) during two 8-week loans. We hypothesized that families would use the EM more than the ROC and take it to more unique locations. A geospatial data logger was mounted to each device, from which we measured the number and duration of each driving bout, the distance driven, and the location where the device was used at. We found that families’ usage of both devices was comparable. Participants completed slightly more bouts with the EM than the ROC, with a total of 558 movement bouts with the EM compared to 235 with the ROC. The duration of a movement bout was similar with both devices (EM: 23.16 min, ROC: 23.75 min). Geospatial analyses revealed that participants drove a similar distance with both devices during each bout (EM: 164 m, ROC: 166 m). Children primarily drove both devices very close to their homes. Four of the eight families brought either their EM or ROC with them to another location (2 EM: 3 ROC), and three of the children used their device at more than one location (2 EM: 1 ROC).  We showed that a family will use any early powered mobility device that is available to them, and early access to a powered mobility device is crucial for the child’s independent exploration of their home and community environment. 

Runners Up:

"Investigating usability of the smartwatch as an everyday prospective memory aid for older adults with and without cognitive impairment"
Primary author: Edie C. Sanders, Florida State University
Abstract: Prospective memory (PM), the ability to remember and carry out an intention in the future, is crucial for maintaining health, independence, and social connections. Age-related changes can result in meaningful PM failures, and this issue can be exacerbated for individuals with a cognitive impairment (CI). Wearable devices such as smartwatches have the potential to serve as effective PM aids, but little is known about how older adults, particularly those with CIs, might interact with such devices. This study aimed to 1) understand the types of challenges older adults with a diverse range of cognitive abilities experience when using a smartwatch, and 2) gain an initial understanding of the potential for smartwatches to serve as PM aids for this population. Twenty-seven older adults (age 60+) with normal cognitive functioning and those with CI due to mild cognitive impairment, traumatic brain injury, or post-stroke CI were asked to wear a smartwatch and use its reminder notifications to remember to complete a daily survey for 10 days. Half were first asked to use their usual memory strategies without the smartwatch to remember to complete the daily survey for 10 days. Participants completed demographic, neuropsychological, technology acceptance, and usability measures. Participants gave relatively low usability ratings for the smartwatches overall and reported a variety of challenges. The smartwatches did not appear to significantly help or hurt participants’ abilities to remember to complete the daily survey. Subjective memory was significantly associated with perceived usefulness of the smartwatches, suggesting that perceived memory challenges may play an important role in the adoption of smartwatches. Results suggest that the smartwatches used in this study may not be the best fit for providing PM support for older adults with a diverse range of cognitive abilities and can inform the development of future efficacy tests and interventions involving smartwatches.

"Preliminary case series description of power standing wheelchair users"
Primary author: Jessica Borin, University of Pittsburgh
Abstract: Power standing is a seat function available on Group 4 power wheelchairs. Despite these noted benefits, there is currently no coverage of power standing wheelchairs for users as they are deemed “not primarily medical in nature” and is seen as simply a “convenience.” The purpose of this article is to provide a characterization of a case series of the power standing wheelchair users. Data for this study was retrieved from a database of over 10,000 unique mobility device users over 4+ years. Information collected included demographic information, description of prescription mobility device, and Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) responses. Seven users who received power wheelchairs with a standing feature were pulled for further analysis and description. There were two participants with congenital diagnoses (cerebral palsy) and the other five had acquired diagnoses. Two of the diagnoses (multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/primary lateral sclerosis) are progressive conditions. This study is the first descriptive case series of users of standing wheelchairs. All participants showed an increase in FMA score with every participant reporting an FMA score above 50 at 21 days post-delivery. This case series shows the missing component of qualitative data that is absent from the current knowledge base. Without qualitative data on standing wheelchair users, it is impossible to truly describe these users

"Mobile Device Assessment Tool (MoDAT) to Capture Functional Capacity of Persons with Physical and Cognitive Disabilities"
Primary author: Firdaus A Indradhirmaya, University of Pittsburgh
Abstract: Smartphone accessibility is a growing concern for individuals with disabilities. While modern smartphones offer a range of built-in accessibility features, many users are unaware of these options. Researchers have developed tools to evaluate mobile device use and suggest appropriate accessibility settings, although some are limited in the way they assess a person's capability, and not all of them are available for clinical use or publicly available. The Mobile Device Assessment Tool (MoDAT) is being developed as an assessment tool to evaluate a user's dexterity and cognitive ability while using a smartphone. MoDAT uses a top-down approach, simulating a smartphone environment and capturing detailed data to give accessibility feature recommendations. The tool is designed to assist both clinicians and users in identifying optimal accessibility features for improved smartphone usability. MoDAT consists of a mobile app for assessment and a web portal for clinicians, supported by a backend system for data storage and communication. Six tasks are currently available, ranging in complexity and difficulty to capture users' abilities effectively. MoDAT provides a valuable resource for improving smartphone accessibility and inclusion for individuals with disabilities.