Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development (JRRD)
Department of Veterans Affairs

JRRD has been a leading research journal in the field of rehabilitation
medicine and technology for more than 40 years. JRRD, a peer-reviewed,
scientifically indexed journal, publishes original research papers, review
articles, as well as clinical and technical commentary from US and
international researchers on all rehabilitation research disciplines. JRRD's
mission is to responsibly evaluate and disseminate scientific research
findings impacting the rehabilitative healthcare community.  
http://www.vard.org/jour/about_us.htm

Articles in Volume 43 - 2 of potential interest to RESNA SIG-11 members:

1. Systematic review of the effect of robot-aided therapy on recovery of the
   hemiparetic arm after stroke 
High-intensity and task-specific therapy with active, repetitive movements
provided by robotic devices may effectively restore arm and hand function
after a stroke. The authors reviewed eight clinical trials to assess the
effect of robot-aided therapy on motor control and functional abilities of
stroke patients' arms. In all studies, they found that robot-aided therapy
improved shoulder and elbow motor control; however, they did not find any
consistent influence on functional abilities. Two studies compared
robot-aided therapy with conventional therapy and reported significantly
larger improvements after robot-aided therapy. 
http://www.vard.org/jour/06/43/2/pdf/prange.pdf

2. Employment issues and assistive technology use for persons with spinal
   cord injury 
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of assistive technology
(AT) on employment for two groups (civilian and veteran) of working-age
adults (18-64 yr) with spinal cord injury or dysfunction (SCI/D). AT is
designed to maximize independence and increase activity participation and
employability for persons with SCI/D. The study indicated that AT is
important to employment success for persons with SCI/D. The majority of AT
was characterized as important to work and was 3.5 times more than AT
identified as not important to work. Satisfaction with AT was very high
regardless of employment status. By identifying the cost of AT devices that
enhance employment outcomes for persons with SCI/D, our results could
influence policy makers as they discuss issues related to AT for working-age
individuals with disabilities. 
http://www.vard.org/jour/06/43/2/pdf/hedrick.pdf

3. Development of a remote accessibility assessment system through
   three-dimensional reconstruction technology 
We developed a Remote Accessibility Assessment System (RAAS) to analyze
environments for wheelchair accessibility from a remote location. Our goals
were to investigate the system's accuracy, compare different cameras, and
demonstrate the feasibility of applying the system in an actual environment.
We performed an accuracy analysis and a comparison of camera systems with the
hardware and software components; therefore, we can specify a consumer-level
digital camera and PhotoModeler (EOS Systems, Inc, Vancouver, Canada)
software for the system. Finally, we tested the system in an actual
environment to evaluate its assessment of accessibility in a wheelchair
user's environment, which resulted in accurate validation of our system. The
RAAS could improve rehabilitation outcomes by making accessibility
assessments and modifications available to a larger proportion of the
population of people with mobility limitations. 
http://www.vard.org/jour/06/43/2/pdf/kim.pdf

4. Development of a teletechnology protocol for in-home rehabilitation 
This paper describes the feasibility of teletechnology for delivering in-home
rehabilitation interventions to community-dwelling adults recently prescribed
a mobility aid. We provided telerehabilitation interventions with wireless
videoconferencing equipment that used standard telephone lines to provide
live, two-way video and audio interaction between the patient and a
technician located in the home and a therapist located at the hospital. The
interventions included prescription of functionally based exercises,
home-hazard assessment, and prescription and/or training in use of assistive
technology, environmental modifications, and adaptive strategies. Telehealth
technology has great potential to increase patients' access to rehabilitation
providers in the home setting. 
http://www.vard.org/jour/06/43/2/pdf/hoenig.pdf