Novita Research Report January 1999 - Novita Children's Services

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The design and development of a range of cordless switches Roger Ingram Electronics Technician Jeff Price Electronics Technician David Hobbs Senior Rehabilitation Engineer Objective Several switches with big buttons exist for people with physical impairments. A major disadvantage of these switches is the cord – it can be cumbersome and sometimes dangerous for people in wheelchairs to use a device with a cord. The cord not only limits the distance over which the switch can be operated, but the cord itself poses a risk of tangling or being ‘snagged’. A cordless switch eliminates these issues. Method The Research & Development Department was involved in the management, validation and user documentation of the range of cordless switches that the Assistive Technology Department developed. The range includes the Cordless BIG Switch, the Cordless ANY Switch, and the Cordless Jelly Bean Booster Switch. Results A range of radio frequency (RF) cordless switches have been designed for non-critical applications, i.e. applications not involving the control of medical or safety related issues. Useful applications include the remote control of battery-operated toys, communication devices, environmental control units, computer access switch interfaces, and others. In 2002, the transmitter-receiver chips for these switches were changed for component availability reasons. The new chips operate on the same 433 MHz frequency but have an improved range of operation – in excess of 50m. Another benefit of the new switch transmitter-receiver system is the decreased delay (or lag) between switch press and switch activation. Implications The range of cordless switches has now become a regular item in the Assistive Technology catalogue. Loan switches have also been placed in the Novita Toy and Resource Centre so parents and therapists can trial them. 32 Figure 1 – The Cordless Jelly Bean Booster Switch Project completed in 2002 Novita Children’s Services Incorporated • Research Report January 1999 – June 2004
Movement-to-m usic therapy David Hobbs Senior Rehabilitation Engineer Tom Chau 1 Canada Research Chair in Paediatric Rehabilitation Engineering, 1 Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Objective The “Movement-to-Music” (MTM) therapy system, or Virtual Music Instrument (VMI), is an innovative software program that allows simple movements to be translated into music. The MTM system provides an interface for children with a disability to be able to play music without having to hold or manipulate an instrument. One simply positions themselves in view of a webcam and moves to interact with pre-defined coloured shapes they can see on the screen, as shown in Figure 1. The system generates musical sounds from very small movements, such as finger movements, to very large ones, such as waving your arms around. Method The MTM system was identified by the investigator as the best use of technology within the field of rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology after completing his Churchill Fellowship research in 2003. The system is simple to use and only requires the specific MTM software, a computer (preferably a laptop), a webcam, and a means of interacting with the webcam (a large TV or data projector). Results The group that developed the system at Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre in Toronto, Canada, completed usability testing of a prototype version with 6 children with cerebral palsy or spinal muscular atrophy in May 2002. The group has also begun conducting Suzuki music lessons using the VMI with 6 children with cerebral palsy or spinal muscular atrophy, and the system has been installed on the home computers of participating families to provide an opportunity for the children to practice at home. MTM can be used in a number of ways: as a virtual musical instrument, as a tool for physical, occupational or music therapy, as a leisure activity, or to encourage exploration and emotional expression. Some ways that children can play with the system include games like “Simon Says” and “Memory”, or they can learn to play songs on their own, in a group, or with family members. Research has shown that MTM can help improve children’s reach, range of motion, endurance, motivation, sense of satisfaction, confidence and ability to explore and create music independently. Implications A copy of the MTM software was donated to NovitaTech to trial with Novita clients and the system was demonstrated to Novita’s Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy staff during their July 2004 in-service. Both disciplines were excited about the possibility of incorporating music therapy into their existing programs, and were interested in conducting similar research to what was being done in Canada. 33 Figure 1 – Dr Tom Chau, MTM therapy program developer, demonstrates the system. By making movements in front of the TV he can produce music each time he interacts with the coloured squares. Project commenced in July 2004 Novita Children’s Services Incorporated • Research Report January 1999 – June 2004
Page 1 and 2: Research Report January 1999 - June
Page 3 and 4: foreword Novita Children’s Servic
Page 5 and 6: PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR PROJECT TITLE
Page 7 and 8: esearch evaluations (http://bluewir
Page 9 and 10: Clinical Research Selection Process
Page 11 and 12: Researcher Profiles Susan Bostock B
Page 13 and 14: Society for Augmentative and Altern
Page 15 and 16: Paediatric dysphagia and physical d
Page 17 and 18: Can typically developing preschool
Page 19 and 20: Handwriting of children who have he
Page 21 and 22: Now I can eat too: The impact of an
Page 23 and 24: School vocabulary in typically deve
Page 25 and 26: Unravelling handwriting: an investi
Page 27 and 28: Convergence of AAC and portable com
Page 29 and 30: Predictors of device abandonment: t
Page 31 and 32: Vocabulary Organiser - enhancement
Page 33: Vocabulary Organiser - the addition
Page 37 and 38: Integrated control of wheelchairs &
Page 39 and 40: Toan Nguyen 1 Master of Engineering
Page 41 and 42: Mobile phone access via an augmenta
Page 43 and 44: Technological options for people wi
Page 45 and 46: Using product features to select ap
Page 47 and 48: Use of the Canadian Occupational Pe
Page 49 and 50: The prevalence of low back pain in
Page 51 and 52: Comparison of feedback conditions i
Page 53 and 54: Evaluation of family centred practi
Page 55 and 56: Motor and functional outcomes of ch
Page 57 and 58: Australian representation on ISO TC
Page 59 and 60: Development and delivery of an unde
Page 61 and 62: Rob Garrett Group Leader, R&D, Engi
Page 63 and 64: Evaluation and scoping of a movemen
Page 65 and 66: Resource allocation project Sonya M
Page 67 and 68: conference presentations Novita’s
Page 69 and 70: Australian Cerebral Palsy Associati
Page 71 and 72: DESIGN AND PRODUCTION CORPORATE PRO

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