Within a ubiquitous environment, home and office furniture can be maximally utilized to provide ease, especially if the items are designed based on smart technology. For this reason, the acceptance of smart furniture has soared over the years. Given the vast influence of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0 on technological advancement in furniture design, it is imperative to examine information and communication technology (ICT) solutions for the elderly in the context of smart furniture design and implementation. This article presents a review of the state-of-the-art literature in smart solutions for the elderly based on publications under ICT smart solutions for these elderly, along with smart furniture options and manufacturer activities in terms of fixing market prices for these furniture materials. Furthermore, patenting rights on some existing smart furniture designs for the elderly, given the current trends in worldwide acceptance, are examined. Moreover, this article also highlights opportunities introduced by IoT-based solutions for the elderly as current trends in research and their effects on human life. Some smart product examples from different enterprises are also presented. New, innovative and active designs must be developed, focusing upon human healthcare, and in turn providing greater comfort and convenience for elderly people. To fulfil these requirements, the also selected technical aspects of new Smart Furniture solutions in connection to the cost of these solutions are discussed. Simultaneously, Smart Furniture solutions need to be flexible, low-cost, easy to buy and install without expert knowledge, and widely available on the market.

Background: Parents of children with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities play a crucial role in providing direct care but often demonstrate heightened parental stress and reduced quality of life. This review explores perceived quality of life from the experiences of parents when caring for young and adult children.Method: A qualitative systematic review following Joanna Briggs Institute meta‐aggregation approach has been completed and reported according to PRISMA guidelines.Findings: Seventeen qualitative studies were included. Three synthesised findings were identified: ‘Challenges and rewards of being a parent carer’, ‘The real cost of caregiver burden’ and ‘Surrendering self for duty – the mothers role’.Conclusion: Parents of children with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities reported diminished quality of life for themselves and their families, experiencing increased physical and mental health issues associated with caregiving burdens. Future research is needed that determine what effective support systems and interventions are needed to alleviate parental caregiver burden.

The digital assistant “Vigo” is a computer-generated artificial intelligence-based application that serves as a digital assistant to a stroke patient and his family. With its conversational chatbot...

Background: Maintaining mobility is fundamental to active aging, allowing older adults to lead dynamic and independent lives. The perception of mobility among older adults significantly impacts their overall well-being and quality of life. Given the aging population, mobility has become an increasingly pressing issue. Aim: This study focused on the perception of urban neighborhoods, including considerations of urban tissue (crossings and sidewalk maintenance), urban scenes (benches and traffic), and safety (fears and street lighting quality). We investigated the differences in the perception of the surroundings of residences by urban and rural seniors concerning their demographic and social characteristics and environmental determinants. Methods: A quantitative study design utilizing a questionnaire survey was employed. Data were collected mainly through face-to-face interviews in the field (PAPI) and via an online questionnaire (CAWI). The final sample comprised 525 participants. Hypotheses regarding the influence of gender, age, social status, level of physical activity, degree of urbanization, and region on environmental perception were tested using ordinal regression. Results: The hypothesis regarding the dependence of the perception of the surroundings on the level of urbanization was confirmed; that regarding the dependence of the perception of the residence surroundings on seniors’ age was not confirmed. The other hypotheses were partially confirmed. For the seven investigated environmental attributes, gender was significant in two cases, social status and physical activity in three cases, and region in four cases. Conclusion: While most studies have focused on urban settings, this study highlights the situation in rural municipalities. Substantially worse pedestrian conditions in availability of pedestrian crossings, benches, and lighting were recognized in rural municipalities versus cities. Understanding the complexity of mobility and the spatial locations relevant for older persons concerning potential barriers and facilitators for mobility aids in planning and adapting neighborhood environments to promote active and healthy aging in place.

Football players, particularly in youth leagues, face a high risk of lower limb injuries due to improper movement patterns. While programs like FIFA 11+ help reduce injuries, they lack real-time, personalized feedback for biomechanical correction. This concept protocol outlines the development of a DAid^® smart socks-based biofeedback system that integrates biomechanical monitoring with mixed reality (MR) feedback to enhance injury prevention. The DAid^® smart socks, equipped with pressure sensors and inertial measurement units (IMUs), track plantar pressure distribution and the center of pressure (COP). Real-time feedback is delivered via a Meta Quest 3 MR headset, enabling athletes to adjust movement patterns instantly. This protocol establishes a framework for evaluating the system’s feasibility and effectiveness in optimizing biomechanics and reducing injury risks. By combining wearable technology with MR-based feedback, this study advances injury prevention strategies, with potential applications in rehabilitation and performance training.

Background: Football is the most widely played sport globally but carries a high risk of lower limb injuries, particularly among youth athletes. Real-time biomechanical monitoring can play a critical role in injury prevention. However, traditional lab-based systems are often complex and impractical for field use. Recent advances in wearable technology, such as inertial sensors and smart socks, provide more accessible solutions for movement analysis. The DAid smart sock system is a promising tool, but further evidence is needed to support its use in lower extremity functional assessments. Objective: This correlational study aimed to investigate the correlation between lower limb joint angles, muscle activity, and plantar pressure distribution during the “Single Leg Squat” (SLS) and its variations in youth football players, using wireless wearable sensors in a field-based setting. Methods: In total, 32 youth football players (16 male and 16 female individuals; mean age 14.6, SD 0.5 years) performed SLS movements while wearing the NOTCH inertial motion sensors, DAid smart socks (plantar pressure), and PLUX muscleBAN EMG system. Spearman correlation was used to explore relationships between hip, knee, and ankle joint kinematics; muscle activity (gluteus medius, gluteus maximus [GMx], vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris); and changes in center of pressure (COP) on the plantar surface. Results: A strong positive correlation was found between hip adduction and medial foot pressure (COP1X: ρ=0.785, P<.001). Knee flexion was strongly correlated with gluteus medius (ρ=0.809) and GMx (ρ=0.841) muscle activity. Hip internal rotation also showed moderate to strong correlations with both COP variables (COP1Y: ρ=0.585) and GMx activation (ρ=0.477). Significant gender-specific differences were identified: male individuals showed stronger correlations between joint angles and muscle activation, while female individuals demonstrated a strong correlation between knee flexion and overall plantar pressure (COP2W: ρ=0.818). Several moderate correlations (0.35<ρ<0.47) further confirmed interactions between joint movement, muscle activity, and plantar pressure. Conclusions: The findings support the feasibility and utility of wireless wearable sensors—including inertial measurement units and smart socks—for in-field biomechanical analysis in youth football players. The study confirmed key relationships between joint mechanics and plantar pressure distribution, suggesting their relevance in injury risk screening. The DAid smart sock system, in particular, demonstrated reliable performance for assessing medial-lateral loading patterns associated with hip and knee movement. These insights may help guide neuromuscular training and individualized injury prevention strategies in young athletes.