Dynamic arm supports are provided to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) in people with limited upper-limb function. However, the perceived functional benefit of these devices in daily life is unknown. Insight into the functional benefit may give direction to the development of new devices and may affect the factors that patients and their health care providers consider during the selection process of a device. A cross-sectional study involving 23 Dutch experienced dynamic arm support users was performed in the Netherlands. The study included a questionnaire, an interview, and an observation of ADL task performance in the domestic setting. Twenty participants completed this study. Five users had a large perceived functional benefit, nine a moderate benefit, and five no benefit (one was unable to indicate the benefit). People with limited functional abilities benefited most. Participants varied in the amount of device use, activities the device is used for, and reasons for using (or not using) the device. On an individual level, selection using a selection tool and a good evaluation of the prescription could improve user-device matches.

Hospitalization is a stressful experience for children. Socially assistive robots (SARs), designed to interact with humans, might be a means to mitigate a child’s stress and support its well-being. A systematic state-of-the-art review was performed to inventorize the use of SARs in hospital to support children’s well-being and what the effects are. We searched five databases (Cinahl, Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, IEEE), combining terms for ‘distress’, ‘relaxation’ and ‘well-being’ with terms for social robot and child, and did an additional hand search. Ten publications (on eight studies) out of 563 unique titles were considered relevant. Six different robots were used (one humanoid, five pet-like) for distraction during medical procedure, emotional support for dealing with a disease or support of well-being during hospital stay. Positive effects on the children were noted, such as experiencing distraction and engagement, and less stress or pain, more relaxation, smiling and openness or better communication. On a psychiatric ward some youngsters felt unsafe with the robot. The outcomes suggest that SARs may have a potentially positive influence on a child’s well-being. Further research is needed to determine the effect of using SARs and how to integrate the use in the working routines of health personnel.

BACKGROUND: Independent living may become a threat for frail elderly persons when their situation deteriorates. Formal and informal caregivers often worry about the safety of the elderly person living alone. Activity monitoring may be assistive in home care delivery. OBJECTIVE: A pilot study was conducted to examine potential effects of the activity monitoring system 'QuietCare' on clients, formal and informal caregivers. METHODS: QuietCare registers activities of daily living. Questionnaires were used to assess amongst others the degree of experienced independence, quality of life and health status among clients (n = 19) at T0, three (T1) and six months of follow-up (T2). Informal caregivers (n = 16) completed questionnaires on objective and subjective burden. Formal caregivers (n = 16) completed questionnaires on labour satisfaction and experiences with QuietCare. RESULTS: No significant changes were found on the client questionnaires. A significant decrease in subjective burden of informal caregivers was found between T0 and T2 (p = 0.03). Formal caregivers stated that QuietCare enabled them to provide more tailored care. CONCLUSION: Activity monitoring may be effective in supporting informal caregivers in care delivery to frail elderly people living alone by reducing subjective burden. Activity monitoring is a promising assistive technology to support frail elderly people to live longer independently.

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