Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a serious global health challenge, affecting a large section of the population and putting immense pressure on healthcare systems. Sensor-based diagnostic tools and monitoring systems have emerged as a potential non-invasive solution to reduce the occurrence of new cases of PUs and promise a significant reduction in treatment expenditure and time. In this endeavour, the present manuscript reviews the advancements made in the last decade in the development and commercial adoption of different sensor systems for PU-associated chronic wound management. Different types of smart sensor systems have been developed in which pressure, chemical, and optical sensors have witnessed a lot of interest and significant advancement among research communities and industries alike. These sensors utilize a host of nanomaterial-based sensing materials, flexible support, diverse transducing modes, and different device designs to achieve high sensitivity and selectivity for skin pressure, temperature, humidity, and biomarkers released from the wound. Some of these sensor’s array-based electronic skin (e-skin) has reached the stage of commercialization and is being used in commercial products, such as smart bandages, shoes, watches, and mattress among others. Nonetheless, further innovations are necessary in the direction of associating multiple types of sensor arrays, particularly pressure and chemical sensor-based e-skins in a microsystem for performing real-time assessment of all the critical wound parameters.

Background: Exoskeletons are used in rehabilitation centers for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) due to the potential benefits they offer for locomotor rehabilitation. The acceptability of exoskeletons is crucial to promote rehabilitation and to ensure a successful implementation of this technology. The objective was to explore the acceptability of overground wearable powered exoskeleton used in rehabilitation among people with SCI. Methods: Fourteen individuals with SCI (9 men, mean [SD] age 47 years [14.8], a majority with traumatic and thoracic lesion (T6–T12)) who had utilized an exoskeleton in Canada or in France during their rehabilitation participated in a semi-structured interview. A thematic analysis using the theoretical framework of acceptability was carried out. Results: Participants were motivated to use an exoskeleton during their rehabilitation. They reported several perceived benefits to its use, including better walking pattern, increased endurance, and greater muscle mass. They also experienced mild pain, notable concentration demands, and fatigue. Most participants reported that using exoskeletons in their rehabilitation process was appropriate and relevant to them. Conclusions: Exoskeletons are generally well accepted by participants in this study. Adjustments in their use, such as conducting training sessions in obstacle-free environment and technological improvements to address the device’s restrictive characteristics, heaviness, and massiveness are however still needed.

Background: Social participation is a fundamental right; however, restrictions often arise due to environmental barriers, both physical and social. The ‘Handicap Innovation Territoire’ (HIT) project aims to enhance social participation for individuals with disabilities living in Brittany, France. To gain insight into the desired areas of intervention and evaluate the HIT project, an initial experiment was conducted to assess the level of social participation and perceived environmental quality among people with disabilities. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was performed, utilizing the Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H) and Measure of the Quality of the Environment (MQE). Results: Twenty-five individuals with disabilities, with an average age of 46.0 ± 23.6 years, were recruited. The results indicated an overall high level of social participation, while work, education, and leisure showed participation restrictions. The MQE scores revealed variations in the environmental perception across disability groups concerning work environment (p = 0.035), stores and services (p = 0.014), health care services (p = 0.006), education (p = 0.043), access to radio and television (p = 0.002), road accessibility (p = 0.003), and time allowed for tasks (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The study identified factors that influence social participation among individuals with disabilities living in Brittany, and highlighted the actions implemented within the HIT project to address the challenges related to social participation.

L’impression 3D est un sujet en pleine expansion dans les pratiques professionnelles en ergothérapie. Il nous a semblé intéressant de nous pencher sur un thème encore peu étudié au sein des REHAB-LABS : le retour d’expérience de l’usager après son séjour en structure de soins sur l’utilisation et le devenir de l’aide technique personnalisée créée en impression 3D. Cet article relate notre expérience en tant qu’ergothérapeutes et référents au sein du REHAB-LAB de la Fondation Ildys, sur le site de Perharidy à Roscoff (Finistère), et plus particulièrement celle des usagers. Grâce à un questionnaire, nous avons recueilli les ressentis et les remarques des usagers après la création d’une ou de plusieurs aides techniques au cours de leur séjour de rééducation. L’analyse des réponses obtenues a été pour nous une source de pistes à travailler et nous a permis d’améliorer notre pratique auprès des usagers au sein du REHAB-LAB : ajustement des missions de l’ergothérapeute, rôle d’un espace de création innovant au sein d’un SSR spécialisé, et accompagnement de l’usager afin qu’il s’implique davantage dans son suivi.

Les loisirs représentent une part non négligeable de nos activités au quotidien. Ils contribuent au bien être donc à la santé. L’ergothérapeute peut accompagner la personne vers la reprise de ses occupations de loisirs par la préconisation, la confection, et la mise en place d’aides techniques. Afin de répondre aux besoins particuliers, il est parfois nécessaire que celles-ci soient personnalisées. La création d’un atelier d’Aides techniques personnalisées (ATP) au sein du Centre mutualiste de rééducation et de réadaptation fonctionnelles de Kerpape répond à ce besoin. Au sein de cet atelier, l’ergothérapeute référent du patient travaille ainsi avec des ingénieurs et un concepteur 3D dans une démarche collaborative. L’alliance des compétences autour de l’usager permet la création d’aides techniques personnalisées, fonctionnelles, esthétiques et sécuritaires. Deux vignettes cliniques illustrent les possibilités qu’autorisent la coopération et l’utilisation de techniques de fabrication comme l’impression 3D. La discussion portera sur les notions de sécurité et de responsabilité concernant la fabrication de ces aides techniques et sur l’hypothèse qu’une aide technique co-créée limite le taux d’abandon de l’aide technique.