Lancioni Giulio E, Singh Nirbhay N, O'Reilly Mark F, Sigafoos Jeff, D'Amico Fiora, Pinto Katia, De Vanna Floriana, Caffò Alessandro O
a Department of Neuroscience and Sense Organs , University of Bari , Bari , Italy.
b Medical College of Georgia , Augusta University , Augusta , GA , USA.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2018 Jan;13(1):101-106. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2017.1297856. Epub 2017 Mar 12.
This study assessed the effects of an intervention program, which combined the use of a walker with assistive technology, on the ambulation and indices of positive involvement of persons with advanced Alzheimer's disease. A social validation assessment of the program was also carried out.
The study included 10 participants with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease and inability to walk independently. During baseline, the participants sat in their chair or were provided with a walker. During the intervention, the participants were provided with the walker and assistive technology, which delivered (a) preferred stimulation contingent on step responses and (b) encouragements to ambulate if needed.
The participants' mean step frequencies were between 17 and 45 per session during the baseline and between 83 and 127 per session during the intervention. Sessions lasted 3 min. Most participants also had an increase in indices of positive involvement during the intervention sessions, thus showing an interest in those sessions. The social validation assessment showed that staff personnel rated the program favorably.
A program combining the use of a walker with assistive technology may be a practical resource for improving ambulation and positive involvement of persons with advanced Alzheimer's disease. Implications for rehabilitation A program based on relatively simple technology combined to a walker device may support ambulation in participants with advanced Alzheimer's disease who are no longer able to walk independently. The same program may also help increase the indices of positive involvement (i.e., improve the general attention/activity and mood) of most participants. The staff's positive ratings of the program suggest that there may be a favorable attitude toward the acceptance and application of the program in daily contexts.
本研究评估了一项将步行器与辅助技术相结合的干预计划对晚期阿尔茨海默病患者步行能力和积极参与指标的影响。还对该计划进行了社会效度评估。
该研究纳入了10名中度至重度阿尔茨海默病且无法独立行走的参与者。在基线期，参与者坐在椅子上或使用步行器。在干预期，为参与者提供步行器和辅助技术，该技术会（a）根据步行动作给予偏好刺激，以及（b）在需要时鼓励行走。
在基线期，参与者每次会话的平均步频为17至45步，在干预期为83至127步。每个会话持续3分钟。大多数参与者在干预会话期间积极参与指标也有所增加，表明对这些会话感兴趣。社会效度评估显示工作人员对该计划评价良好。
将步行器与辅助技术相结合的计划可能是改善晚期阿尔茨海默病患者步行能力和积极参与度的实用资源。对康复的启示基于相对简单技术并与步行器设备相结合的计划可能有助于无法独立行走的晚期阿尔茨海默病患者行走。同一计划也可能有助于提高大多数参与者的积极参与指标（即改善总体注意力/活动和情绪）。工作人员对该计划的积极评价表明，在日常环境中对该计划的接受和应用可能存在积极态度。
