Assessment and counseling to get the best efficiency and effectiveness of the assistive technology (MATCH): Study protocol

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 17; no. 3; p. e0265466
• Main Authors: Pousada García, Thais, Groba Gonzalez, Betania, Nieto-Riveiro, Laura, Canosa Domínguez, Nereida, Maldonado-Bascón, Saturnino, López-Sastre, Roberto J, Pacheco DaCosta, Soraya, González-Gómez, Isabel, Molina-Cantero, Alberto J, Pereira Loureiro, Javier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 01.01.2022; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adaptive technology; Artificial Intelligence; Biology and Life Sciences; Clinical trials; Communications technology; Computer and Information Sciences; Consortia; Counseling; Disabilities; Disability; Disabled persons; Efficiency; Engineering and Technology; Engineering research; Female; Handicapped assistance devices; Humans; Informatics; Information technology; Male; Medicine and Health Sciences; Monitoring instruments; People with disabilities; Physiology; Pilot Projects; Priorities; Prospective Studies; Psychological aspects; Quality of life; Robotics; Self-Help Devices; Self-help devices for the disabled; Social aspects; Social Sciences; Study Protocol; Technology; Technology application; Technology assessment; Spain; Madrid Spain
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265466

To determine the psychosocial impact of assistive technology(AT) based on robotics and artificial intelligence in the life of people with disabilities. The best match between any person with disabilities and its AT only can be gotten through a complete assessment and monitoring of his/her needs, abilities, priorities, difficulties and limitations. Without this analysis, it's possible that the device won't meet the individual's expectations. Therefore, it is important that any project focused on the development of innovating AT for people with disabilities includes the perspective of outcome measures as an important phase of the research. In this sense, the integration of the assessment, implementation process and outcome measures is crucial to guarantee the transferability for the project findings and to get the perspective from the final user. Pilot study, with prospective, longitudinal and analytical cohort. The study lasts from July 2020 until April 2023. The sample is formed by people with disabilities, ages from 2-21, that will participate from the first stage of the process (initial assessment of their abilities and needs) to the final application of outcome measures instruments (with a complete implication during the test of technology). Only with the active participation of the person is possible to carry out a user-centered approach. This fact will allow us to define and generate technological solutions that really adjust to the expectations, needs and priorities of the people with disabilities, avoiding the AT from being abandoned, with the consequent health and social spending. Clinical Trials ID: NCT04723784; https://clinicaltrials.gov/.