Purpose : It is generally accepted that electronic aids to daily living (EADLs) play an important role in the lives of many people with severe disabilities by providing the means to access and control devices for daily living activities. Despite this, little proof exists to support the contention that consumers are satisfied with relevant aspects of these assistive devices. The purpose of this study was to explore consumer satisfaction with EADLs and investigate the value that people with degenerative neuromuscular conditions place on these technologies. Method : Interviews were conducted with 40 EADL users and non-users to compare their views about these devices and their daily life experiences. Users were interviewed twice, six months apart, to establish the stability of their views and experiences with EADLs. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM TM instrument), the personal profile and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST) were administered to determine functional levels of participants, gather personal data pertinent to the study of device utility and explore user satisfaction with EADLs. Results : Results suggest that overall consumers were quite satisfied with their EADLs and that this was relatively stable over time. However, some consumers expressed concerns regarding the cost of these technologies and their associated services. Both users and non-users rated EADLs similarly in relation to relative degree of importance ascribed to them. Conclusions : Combining the QUEST with outcome measurement tools that explore other important dimensions such as the effect on quality of life and psychosocial impact will help service providers to justify the costs associated with the prescription of sophisticated, costly assistive devices such as EADLs.

Electronic aids to daily living (EADLs) allow persons who have a degenerative neuromuscular condition such as Duchenne's muscular dystrophy to operate a wide variety of household and workplace appliances without assistance (independent of family members or other caregivers). There is very little published research to describe how well EADLs are perceived by users to enhance their sense of personal autonomy, functional independence, and psychological well being. Psychosocial impact is a significant determinant of how users perceive the benefit of assistive devices to their quality of life. This study compared the perceived psychosocial impact of EADLs on a group of device users with the anticipated impact of EADLs reported by a group who were eligible for, but had not yet received, these devices. The perceptions of the user group were measured at two points in time, approximately 6 to 9 months apart, to examine the stability of psychosocial impact. The Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale was the instrument used to assess perceived impact. EADLs were found to produce similar degrees of positive impact on users and positive perceptions of anticipated impact on those without devices. The psychosocial impact on users was stable over time. The results indicate that the perceived benefits of EADLs to the autonomy, functional independence, and psychological well being of both users and nonusers are positive and strikingly similar. The study is an important first step in attempting to quantify psychosocial outcomes for EADLs in a way that might facilitate economic analysis of these devices in the future.

Structured interviews were used to evaluate the impact of electronic aids to daily living (EADL) on functional abilities and psychosocial well-being. The participants included 32 adults (26 men, 6 women; mean age of 39 years) with cervical spinal cord injuries. The experiences of 16 EADL users were compared with a control group of 16 nonusers, using the Functional Autonomy Measuring Scale, the Lincoln Outcome Measures for Environmental Controls, and the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale. Results show EADL users had significantly better performance (p < .05) than nonusers for instrumental activities of daily living and for 75% of 12 daily tasks. Many non-users had hands-free control of phones only, whereas EADL users had control over many other household devices, which optimized their independence. The psychosocial impact of this technology was very positive for competence, adaptability, and self-esteem. In conclusion, functional abilities were greater for a variety of daily tasks, and psychosocial impact was positive when EADLs were used.

Purpose: This article provides an overview and assessment of systematic reviews of adaptive seating outcomes in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and proposes strategies to advance and improve the clinical utility of future research evidence. Methods: A comprehensive search for systematic reviews was performed to locate and evaluate the functional effects of adaptive seating in children with CP. Relevant electronic databases were searched to identify reviews published between January 1990 and December 2010. Results: The search yielded five reviews of adaptive seating interventions that found generally positive, but inconclusive evidence of effectiveness for postural control and management, seated posture, upper extremity function, and overall clinical outcomes. Review authors consistently reported that they were unable to combine data from original research studies to make sound clinical recommendations due to the low quality of studies, the lack of appropriate outcome indicators, and the heterogeneity and lack of clarity in population characteristics and adaptive seating interventions. Conclusions: Strategies to improve the quality and clinical relevance of new research evidence for adaptive seating interventions include the adoption of an expanded view of child functioning, a child motor function classification and development approach, and contemporary frameworks for the measurement and evaluation of assistive technology outcomes. Implications for Rehabilitation Assistive technology practitioners recommend adaptive seating devices to improve child functioning. Past systematic reviews of adaptive seating outcomes in children with cerebral palsy provide limited empirical support. Current thinking about child health and assistive technology outcomes provides direction to inform research and clinical practice. Implications for Rehabilitation