OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe, qualitatively the use of service dogs by persons with physical disabilities and the meaning of this experience. METHOD Five service dog owners were observed and interviewed on multiple occasions through an ethnographic approach. RESULTS Identified themes were increased community participation, "closer than family" increased social contact...

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine if a self help intervention, delivered via written interactive materials (the "Walk in to Work Out" pack), could increase active commuting behaviour (walking and cycling). DESIGN Randomised controlled trial. The intervention group received the "Walk in to Work Out" pack, which contained written interactive materials based on the transtheoretical model of behaviour...

OBJECTIVES To examine variation in provision of assistive technology (AT) devices and the extent to which such variation may be explained by patient characteristics or Veterans Health Administration (VHA) administrative region. DESIGN Retrospective population-based study. SETTING VHA. PARTICIPANTS Veterans poststroke in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (N=12,046). INTERVENTIONS Not applicable...

This study investigated the use of a word processor for enhancing the academic outcomes of three students with writing disabilities in a junior high school. A single-subject ABAB design was used to compare academic output produced during class time with and without a computer equipped with a word processor. The number of spelling errors, the number of reading errors, and the number of words use...

Assistive technology was once a specialised field of practice, involving products designed for populations with specific impairments or functional goals. In Australia, occupational therapists have, at times, functioned as gatekeepers to public funding, prescribing products from a predefined list. An expanding range of accessible mainstream products available via international and online markets...

This article presents a review of assistive technology as it applies to elderly hearing-impaired people living independently and in group environments. Listening systems for personal communication and large area amplification, telephone, and television use are described. Visual systems that can be used to meet the communication needs of elderly persons and alerting systems are included. Issues ...

Public and patient involvement in social and health care has proceeded in many civil societies. Depending on the legislations on national and community levels, citizens and patients have a greater say in shaping social and health care. In Germany, the patient involvement by self-help organizations at the macro level (national level and level of federal states) has significantly developed over t...