JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies

Stairclimbing wheelchairs offer enhanced mobility for users navigating multilevel environments, yet limited research addresses the ergonomics of lever propulsion-based stair climbing mechanisms. Comprehensive ergonomic assessment integrating both subjective user feedback and objective biomechanical analysis is essential for optimizing assistive device design for comfort and usability.

An increasing number of rehabilitation technologies are being developed to support upper limb rehabilitation after stroke, with smart textile solutions for surface electromyography (sEMG) emerging as a promising approach. Early end-user involvement is crucial for developing user-friendly and clinically valid rehabilitation tools.

The United Nations’ third Sustainable Development Goal emphasizes ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being (WB) for all, which requires effective assistive technology (AT) for persons with disabilities. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), however, AT remains largely inaccessible, and high abandonment rates indicate that many existing solutions fail to meet users’ needs. To improve AT design and effectiveness, a deeper understanding of users’ lived experiences and the ways AT influences WB is essential.

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is widely used to assess mobility and fall risk in older adults and orthopedic patients. Its instrumented variant (iTUG), based on inertial measurement units, enables an objective quantification of motor performance and can even be implemented using smartphone technology. However, its broader clinical adoption remains limited by concerns about reliability, feasibility, and the interpretability of the extracted parameters.

Communication is an essential component of participation. Communication impairment restricts full participation for children who have unintelligible speech. A vocal cord vibration switch offers an avenue for meaningful interaction to children who cannot rely on speech or voluntary limb movement but have some control of their vocal cords. Previous evaluations of the vocal cord vibration switch have been conducted primarily with adults and adolescents. However, implementation of a vocal cord vibration switch with younger, school-aged children in their natural environmental contexts can potentially foster the development of early communication skills.

Enhancing rehabilitation methods for patients with stroke is essential, particularly during the transition from inpatient to outpatient care. Digital applications are being developed to provide telerehabilitation programs. The existing virtual blended care platform Blended Clinic (Blended Clinic AI GmbH) offers app-based training for patients after a stroke and comprises 3 main components, including training, coaching, and monitoring.

Physical inactivity among people with disabilities and older adults is a persistent public health concern, particularly those from racial minority groups living in underserved communities where structural barriers limit access to exercise opportunities. Technology-driven exercise programs offer scalable solutions, but the contextual factors that influence their uptake, fidelity, and sustainability remain underexplored.

This study investigates the capacity of 7 artificial intelligence (AI) models, 5 free and 2 paid, to generate functional software for designing low-cost, personalized assistive products.

Vestibular disorders impair balance, increase fall risk, and reduce quality of life due to dizziness and vertigo. They are frequently accompanied by heightened anxiety, which may further limit daily functioning and contribute to avoidance behaviors. Although vestibular rehabilitation has been extensively studied and shown to be effective in managing vestibular disorders, adherence to home-based exercises remains low for many dizzy patients. This is often attributed to uncertainty about correct performance, lack of feedback, or difficulty maintaining a structured routine. To help address these barriers, Vestibulon, a smartphone app co-designed with clinicians and patients, was developed to support rehabilitation practice by providing guided exercise, structured scheduling, progress monitoring, and clear instructions intended to promote confidence and engagement.

Chronic pain is a critical cause of personal suffering and societal concern. However, treatment options remain inadequate, and access to efficacious treatment is limited by geography, economics, and scale. Digital health interventions for chronic pain are easily scaled solutions to this problem, and autonomous conversational agents represent a new frontier in this treatment domain. Despite their potential impact, conversational agents powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI) have yet to be developed or examined for the treatment of chronic pain.

A robust correlation exists between physical activity (PA) and stroke risk reduction, and wearable PA sensors have emerged as promising adjuncts for rehabilitation and risk self-management. However, evidence regarding their long-term efficacy in facilitating sustained behavioral change remains equivocal.

Foods are not only masticated and swallowed but they also influence the choice of utensils and their use. Comparing the contexts in which different utensils are used with each food form could help in the assessment of individuals experiencing eating difficulties in the food culture unique to East Asian countries.