By translating brain signals into commands, Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) offer an innovative alternative to traditional input methods like keyboards and mice, establishing a direct communication link between the brain and external devices. One significant application of this technology is BCI spellers, which allow users to type text using mental signals to control an interface. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with severe speech and mobility impairments. This study introduces BCI-vSpeller, a novel Vietnamese spelling system. The BCI-vSpeller system makes two main contributions: (i) A complete BCI system for Vietnamese: This system uses Motor Imagery-Electroencephalography (MI-EEG) signals to control text input and integrate a language model to improve efficiency. (ii) A custom Vietnamese virtual keyboard: The keyboard is specifically designed for the Vietnamese language. It includes a full range of characters, tone marks, and special symbols, with over 160 selectable keys. The BCI-vSpeller system uses MI-EEG signals as input, which are passed through a Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) algorithm to classify the MI tasks for its effectiveness in processing subject-dependent data. To enhance typing speed, a lightweight language model is integrated to provide real-time word suggestions. In our initial experiments, the system achieved average typing speeds of 4.95 characters per minute for one participant and 3.45 characters per minute for another. This research is a step forward in the development of BCI applications, showing potential in improving communication accessibility for Vietnamese users.
Background Speech rehabilitation applications can support communication and rehabilitation activities outside clinical settings. However, providing advanced functions alone may not ensure a positive user experience. Users may also consider the effort required to operate an application, its usefulness and value, whether it offers an improved approach to rehabilitation, and how reliably it performs. Objective This study examined factors associated with the user experience of speech rehabilitation applications among adults with hearing impairment in Shanghai, China. It also assessed the indirect associations through perceived innovation and the moderating role of perceived technological performance. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted using purposive sampling. Participants were adults with hearing impairment who had used a qualifying speech rehabilitation application within the previous 6 months. A total of 384 valid responses were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The research model drew primarily on the Technology Acceptance Model and Means–end Theory. User experience research defined the main outcome, while Social Learning Theory provided a supporting perspective. Results Perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and perceived value were positively associated with both perceived innovation and user experience. Perceived innovation was also positively associated with user experience. It statistically mediated part of the associations between the three initial evaluations and user experience. Perceived technological performance positively moderated the association between perceived innovation and user experience. Conclusions Users reported more positive experiences when they perceived speech rehabilitation applications as easy to use, useful, valuable, innovative, and technically reliable. These findings may help developers design applications that better support the rehabilitation needs of people with hearing impairment.
Background The 2022 WHO–UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology documented that 2.5 billion people need at least one assistive product, yet nearly one billion of them lack access; coverage ranges from approximately 3% in the lowest-income settings to 90% in high-income settings. While clinical and social explanations for this gap are well rehearsed, the assistive technology (AT) literature has engaged less systematically with microeconomic theory, even though the access gap is, in part, the product of a market that does not behave like a textbook competitive market. Purpose This perspective article applies a microeconomic framework to the AT ecosystem in order to (i) describe the demand and supply structure of AT markets, (ii) identify the specific market failures that produce the access gap, (iii) analyse the welfare consequences of those failures, and (iv) map a corresponding menu of policy instruments onto the failures they are best suited to address. Approach A narrative review, drawing on published health-economics literature, WHO and UNICEF reports, and AT service-delivery studies, was synthesised through four microeconomic lenses: consumer choice under heterogeneity and information asymmetry; production economics and market structure; externalities and merit-good arguments; and the welfare economics of public provision. Examples are drawn from mobility, hearing, vision and digital cognitive AT. Conclusions The AT access gap is consistent with a market characterised by simultaneous demand-side, supply-side and information-related failures rather than a simple shortage of devices. Subsidy- or device-only models address one symptom while leaving others untreated. The article argues for hybrid provision models that combine targeted financial instruments (vouchers, insurance, tiered pricing) with non-financial instruments (matching services, open standards, regulated information disclosure, workforce development) and treats mainstream digital products as a legitimate component of public AT systems. The framework offers a structured way for AT researchers, clinicians and policymakers to diagnose access problems and to align policy responses with the underlying economic mechanism.
Methods This study examined caregivers' preferences for digital content to support the care of individuals with dementia, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease (AD). An online survey was conducted with 147 caregivers affiliated with the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, assessing the perceived usefulness of content across four key domains: information access, professional support, task management, and virtual community. Discussion Results indicated strong caregiver interest in information about AD and its symptoms, as well as support for communicating with the person being cared for. Caregivers also showed interest in practical tools such as digital medical calendars for task management. In the community domain, participants valued access to support networks for exchanging experiences and strategies with peers. Taken together, these findings point to concrete, high-priority content areas — informational, relational, organizational, and social — that a digital platform for informal caregivers should address. Conclusions These findings will inform the design of user-relevant materials in a co-creation process aimed at developing a digital platform to deliver accessible, practical, and useful content addressing the everyday realities of informal caregiving.
Background Hearing loss (HL) represents a significant global health challenge, disproportionately affecting children in low- and middle-income countries such as Ethiopia. Despite increasing epidemiological data, there is limited understanding of the lived experiences of children with HL and their families, particularly regarding the perceived role of personal amplifiers in educational settings. Objective To explore the experiences, perceived benefits, and challenges associated with Personal Amplifier (PA) use among primary school children with HL, their families, and teachers in Jimma City, Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods A descriptive phenomenological study design was employed, utilizing in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 purposively selected participants comprising children using PA, their family members and school teachers. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis supported by Atlas.ti (version 7.5.18). Rigorous trustworthiness procedures were applied, including inter-coder consensus discussions, reflexive journaling, and member checking. Results Three main themes were identified: (1) Benefits of PA use; (2) Challenges of PA use; and (3) Future recommendation. The main reported benefits of PA use were enhanced hearing, improved academic engagement and better academic performance. The most impact challenges included stigma and social isolation, device discomfort, technical difficulties, and concerns over sustainability. Participants also proposed recommendations for the future, including community awareness campaigns, service expansion to rural areas and improvement in PA device size and comfort. Conclusion The study provides preliminary evidence for a perceived beneficial role of personal amplifiers in supporting children with HL in Ethiopian primary schools. The documented improvements in educational engagement, academic performance, and psycho-social well-being as reported by students, families, and teachers reflect the perceptions and lived experiences, and should be understood as hypothesis-generating rather than as evidence of objectively measured outcomes. Persistent contextual barriers such as stigma, economic constraints, and technical challenges highlight the need for integrated, contextually responsive interventions that address both technological and social determinants of success.
Background A range of barriers are preventing people with intellectual disabilities from accessing and using technology, resulting in significant digital inequalities. We need to understand how best to eliminate these inequalities. Objective The aim of the current study is to examine whether and how adults with intellectual disabilities in Poland access and use technology. Methods A total of 104 caregivers of adults with intellectual disabilities completed a questionnaire that addressed four key areas; use of technology, effectiveness of technology, factors facilitating or hindering effective technology use and evaluation of the importance of these factors. Results Participants identified significant benefits in communication, knowledge acquisition, and well-being, though challenges persist in accessing healthcare and social services. The degree of intellectual disability significantly influenced technology use and its perceived effectiveness, with caregivers of individuals with moderate intellectual disabilities reporting higher usage and effectiveness compared to those supporting individuals with severe intellectual disabilities. Key facilitating factors included the readiness of both caregivers and individuals with ID to engage with technology and access to suitable devices. Barriers included difficulties in teaching the person(s) with intellectual disabilities to use technologies and motivation to use it. Conclusions The results of this study help to address significant gaps in knowledge regarding the influence of geographical region and level of intellectual disabilities on the digital inclusion of adults with intellectual disabilities.
Background Assistive technologies (ATs) are essential for supporting the participation of students with disabilities in higher education laboratories. However, evidence on AT in these environments remains fragmented and insufficiently systematized. Objective To map assistive technologies and structural adaptations described in higher education laboratory settings between 2015 and 2025, and to identify associated barriers, facilitators, methodological limitations, and research gaps. Methods A scoping review was conducted following the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis (2024) and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, ERIC, and BVS. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data from studies published in English or Portuguese that involved students with disabilities in laboratory environments. The protocol was preregistered. Results Of 315 records identified, 20 studies met inclusion criteria, reporting 129 assistive technologies: hardware (56.6%), software (33.3%), structural adaptations (7.8%), and educational resources (2.3%). Common barriers included inaccessible equipment, insufficient faculty training, and limited institutional policies. Facilitators included student participation, accessible materials, and curriculum adaptations. Conclusions Digital AT solutions predominate, particularly for students with visual disabilities. Nonetheless, full inclusion in laboratory settings requires integrated strategies combining technology, inclusive pedagogical practices, and institutional support. Future research should involve students with disabilities in co-design processes and evaluate AT effectiveness in real laboratory contexts.
Purpose This systematic review evaluates the effects of prosthetic rehabilitation interventions including post-amputation stump management techniques, microprocessor assisted foot or knee prosthesis and functional mobilization procedures on stamp healing, prosthetic adaptation time, functional mobility, balance and mortality in patients with a major lower limb amputation due to diabetes mellitus or peripheral arterial disease. Methods PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, Scopus, PEDro, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched from their inception until February 2025 using combinations of keywords and MeSH terms related to diabetes mellitus, lower limb amputation, and rehabilitation interventions, including stump management techniques, physical therapy and prosthetic equipment. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals in English or French were included. The data extracted included information regarding study provenance and design, as well as patient-specific variables, the nature of the rehabilitation interventions, and the resulting clinical outcomes. Results From 4426 identified records, 11 studies were selected, including a total of 2227 patients. The included studies comprised five randomized controlled trials and six observational studies. Nine studies had moderate risk of bias. The most used prosthetic rehabilitation interventions were rigid, semi-rigid dressings, silicone liner and prostheses with microprocessor-controlled knees. Stump healing, prosthesis fitting time, functional mobility and mortality were the most examined effects. Conclusion Rigid, semi-rigid dressings and silicone liners improve stump healing and reduce time to prosthetic fitting compared with soft dressings; microprocessor-controlled knee or foot also improve functional mobility compared with conventional prostheses. A biopsychosocial approach is strongly recommended to support the rehabilitation process of this population.
Background By 2050, 22% of the global population will be aged 60 years or older. Aging is associated with physiological changes that can impair mobility and quality of life. Therefore, evaluating and improving mobility in older adults is crucial to maintaining well-being. Several methods currently exist for mobility assessment, increasingly supported by digital technologies. This systematic review aimed to investigate the technologies, both hardware and software, integrated for mobility assessment in healthy older adults. Method A literature search was performed for studies published between 2005 and 2023 in PubMed, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, ACM Digital Library, and Springer. Articles focusing on pathological populations, fall assessment, or neuroscience/neuromuscular studies were excluded. Of 4199 studies retrieved, 36 met the inclusion criteria. Results Nine mobility assessment tests were identified, ranging from self-reported to performance-based tests. Sixteen studies integrated sensors to automate and quantify assessments, including inertial measurement units (IMUs), optical, ambient, pressure, and infrared sensors. Five studies used smartphones for mobility monitoring, while artificial intelligence was applied in seven studies: three applied machine learning for classification, one used probabilistic machine learning for walking speed estimation, and three used deep learning for skeletal detection or full automation. Two studies employed immersive technologies, and others explored alternative approaches such as animated video–based self-reports or telephone evaluations. Conclusions In conclusion, the emergence of sensors, smartphones, artificial intelligence and immersive technologies has provided promising avenues for more accurate and objective mobility assessment, ultimately leading to enhanced clinical interventions. Based on the findings of this systematic review, we particularly recommend that future work focus on developing fully automated mobility assessment systems that integrate deep learning algorithms with IMUs. This combination offers strong potential to improve the accuracy, reliability, and comprehensiveness of mobility evaluations by harnessing the rich data from IMUs and the advanced analytical power of deep learning.
This paper presents an online application of handwritten Gujarati text in Devanagari script (the script, which is traditionally used to write Gujarati in certain scenarios) to speech with the help of an Internet of Things (IoT) integrated digital pen and artificial neural networks. However, most readily available TTS systems primarily support English, while users often feel more comfortable communicating in their native language. Addressing this gap, the proposed system focuses on Gujarati, particularly when written in the Devanagari script, which introduces additional challenges due to its complex structure, including modifiers and compound characters. Handwritten character recognition remains a difficult task, especially for scripts like Devanagari that involve intricate patterns and variations in writing styles. The system tackles this challenge by employing a neural network capable of robust character recognition across diverse handwriting styles. An IoT-integrated digital pen is used to capture handwritten input in real time from any surface. The captured data is transmitted to a cloud-based processing unit, where the neural network identifies individual characters and converts them into text format. Following recognition, the text undergoes linguistic processing, including syllabification based on Gujarati phonological rules. Each syllable is stored and mapped to pre-recorded audio units. These units are then concatenated to generate coherent speech output. The system carefully manages silence and transitions between syllables to ensure natural pronunciation, minimizing abrupt pauses and maintaining speech quality. Overall, this approach offers a flexible, real-time, and user-friendly solution for converting handwritten Gujarati text into speech. By integrating IoT technology with advanced neural networks, the system significantly enhances accessibility and communication for visually impaired individuals, helping bridge language and usability barriers in assistive technologies.
Background Spinal cord injury results in chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) which adds on detrimental effects on loss of function, social participation and quality of life. Various non-invasive treatments such as rTMS, TENS, tDCS and neurofeedback are available but effects of neurofeedback seem to be superior as it involves active modulation of cortical activity but its effects on pain are studied less when it is implemented using brain computer interface. Thus, this review aims to evaluate effects of neurofeedback training through EEG using Brain Computer Interface on CNP in SCI patients. Methods Scopus, PubMed and web of science were searched for finding the studies on the basis of inclusion criteria. Participants included were chronic CNP patients of age 18 to 75 years with at least 6 months’ history of SCI and CNP intensity >4. Result Total 6 studies met the inclusion criteria: 4 clinical trials, 1 usability study, and 1 pilot study. Overall risk of bias was moderate. Significant reductions in pain intensity were reported, with >30% clinical improvement in about 80% of patients, mainly linked to increased alpha band activity. Conclusion EEG-based neurofeedback using BCIs can reduce pain, particularly through alpha band upregulation, though further high-quality research is needed to confirm these findings.
Aphasia is a language disorder that results from a brain injury (e.g., stroke or traumatic brain injury, to name a few). It impedes the affected individual’s ability to communicate effectively with others using verbal language. The primary intervention for aphasia is speech-language therapy (SLT), which often entails didactic contact between the client and the therapist, frequently with little consideration for the real-world settings where the communication occurs. Providing SLT in natural settings is impractical in traditional clinical environments. In this paper, we explore the technological advances in Extended Reality (XR, such as virtual (VR), augmented (AR), and mixed (MR) realities), and propose suitable XR technology for training persons with aphasia to use their language in an ecologically valid and meaningful manner in natural communication contexts, in line with the Life Participation Approaches to Aphasia (LPAA) rehabilitation.
Individualized learning in higher education involves systems that modify instructional sequences to the knowledge and learning behavior of individual students. The conventional fixed curricula do not take into account dynamism of learning over time thus resulting in ineffective development and poor performance. This research presents a framework of the adaptive path generation of learning based on Deep Knowledge Tracing (DKT) and Deep Reinforcement Learning (DQN) to simulate student mastery and provide the best module order. DKT model is an LSTM network that predicts the probability of mastery, based on the learning interactions in sequential form. A DQN agent makes use of these representations and designs the optimization of the learning path as a Markov Decision Process (MDP) in order to select specific modules to maximize the long-term learning gain. Multi-institutional student datasets were used to evaluate the framework based on mastery prediction, convergence, learning gain, engagement, efficiency and generalization measures. Results show the DKT model achieved 87.6% accuracy, AUC-ROC 0.7343, RMSE 0.1569, and stable convergence across 42 epochs. The DQN agent increased cumulative reward from 53.94 to 57.68, reaching 70.01 and converging by episode 742. Adaptive learning paths improved learning gain by 23.59%, reduced learning steps by 36.44%, increased average mastery from 0.68 to 0.84, and enhanced weak concept recovery to 86.5%. Engagement improved, with time spent rising from 45% to 68%, revisit rate from 12% to 32%, and dropout reduced from 18% to 5%. Cross-institution evaluation confirmed strong generalization with consistent learning gain improvements. These findings demonstrate that the framework delivers personalized, scalable learning for tutoring systems and modern education platforms, supporting diverse student populations in higher education settings. The dataset includes approximately 300 students, multiple simulated institutions, and diverse learning modules which were created from more than 9000 interaction sessions.
The DEEP (Disability and professional Empowerment Engaging 3D Printing) training program aimed to explore the integration of 3D printing technologies into disability care, with a focus on fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and enhancing prosocial skills among health care professionals and 3D makers. This study gathered the experiences of a total of 40 health care professionals and 3D makers who participated in the pilot program in Italy and Spain. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the training facilitated active collaboration and deeper engagement with individuals with disabilities, promoting autonomy and participation in the co-design of the assistive devices they need. However, some participants also highlighted challenges such as financial constraints and limited accessibility to 3D printing technologies. Nuances in the experiences of Italian and Spanish participants were also identified. Overall, the findings suggest that the DEEP training had a positive impact on empowering individuals with disabilities in their care process by supporting social inclusion, autonomy, and the co-creation of solutions that truly meet users’ needs. These results highlight the potential of combining 3D printing technologies with prosocial and collaborative approaches to improve disability care practices.
This paper explores research associated with WhatsApp, to see if there are lessons to be learned about the use of WhatsApp in educational settings. The research emerged from the researcher’s experiences as a parent of a child with various labels, including Down syndrome, and his experiences with WhatsApp. The background is a long period of investment in information technology which has not brought the anticipated returns. Alongside this lack of progress is a clear digital divide for disabled learners and an ongoing lack of expertise amongst teachers. Data for this study was collected through a systematic search of the literature, and analysed thematically through open-coding and constant comparison. Only 8 studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, despite these being broad in nature, and many of these studies were outside school and involved an adult population. Evidently WhatsApp has the potential to be an accessible and useful pedagogic tool, but there is very little guidance or research to inform the practice of class teachers and to influence the decisions of policy makers. As a parent and experienced academic, the researcher felt surprise at trying to understand something that was conspicuous by its absence. The lack of consideration of this issue raises fundamental questions about how we draw boundaries around the possible and the practical, providing an insight into how institutional discrimination can arise and be sustained.
This study explores how virtual reality (VR) can be used not only to enrich tourism experiences but also to support social equality and inclusivity by improving access and social integration for disadvantaged individuals. While prior research largely emphasizes VR’s experiential benefits for tourists, this research shifts attention to its broader social value for people with limited travel opportunities due to disability, age, or economic constraints. Using a qualitative approach, participants were first informed about the purpose of the study and then took part in a VR-based travel experience. Afterwards, semi-structured interviews were conducted through a 12-question guide, and the data were analyzed and interpreted in line with the research objectives. The findings indicate that many disadvantaged individuals had been able to travel in the past, but current economic conditions, commercial barriers, or personal health issues now restrict their access to tourism services. The study contributes to accessible tourism research by offering a technological perspective and demonstrating that VR can provide meaningful leisure and engagement opportunities, particularly for disabled, elderly, and economically disadvantaged groups. It also argues that VR may enhance independence, freedom, and quality of life by enabling individuals to virtually explore destinations they might otherwise be unable to visit, positioning VR as a socially and psychologically beneficial tool rather than merely an entertainment-oriented innovation.
Introduction This investigation examines the perceptions of educators regarding artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the context of teaching students with disabilities, focusing on their effectiveness, the challenges of implementation, and their impact on student engagement. Methods A structured questionnaire consisting of 16 items, organized into three dimensions, was used to gather data from a sample of 740 educators working with students with disabilities (407 males and 333 females). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Results The results show no statistically significant differences among demographic variables, indicating a shared understanding among educators regarding their perceptions of AI technologies in special education. Additionally, the results indicate a predominantly favorable view of AI tools, reflected in a mean score of 3.90, suggesting robust confidence in their ability to improve learning outcomes. Nonetheless, educators recognized considerable challenges in implementation, as indicated by a mean score of 3.76, particularly concerning data privacy and technical issues. Furthermore, the views on AI’s influence on student engagement were average, reflected in a mean score of 2.82, indicating an area that requires enhancement. Conclusion This investigation underscores the potential of AI to enhance special education while emphasizing the need for targeted professional development and institutional support to address implementation challenges.
Study design: Prospective trial. Objective: To evaluate the impact on muscle activation of different anatomical configurations of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation electrodes amongst SCI and control patients. Summary of background data: Spinal cord stimulation has garnered increased attention as a promising treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI). However, existing studies on transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation consist of highly variable methodologies and lack standard protocols. Methods: Two adult SCI participants (PS01-T12 AIS D, and P502-T2 AIS B) and two healthy adult controls (PS03, and PS04) were prospectively enrolled after IRB approval. Electromyography was used to record activity in the bilateral tibialis anterior (TA) and biceps femoris (BF). Four electrode configurations were trialed-cathode placement only at TII-T12 (montage T11-T12) versus combined configurations with cathodes at T11-T12 and at LI-L2, L3-L4, or S1-S2; anode placement was always at the bilateral iliac crests. Motor response was defined as EMG change >20 & micro;V, as defined in the literature. Results: SCI participants exhibited overall decreased motor responses compared to controls, other than PS01 at the TII-T12 montage. The majority of motor responses from SCI participants did not meet the 20 & micro;V threshold, and did not show the same consistent cranial to caudal pattern. PSOI's highest response was at TII-T12/LI-L2 (BF: 265.52 & micro;V), whereas PSO2 was highest at T11-T12 (TA: 39.73 & micro;V). Overall, the motor response from the motor complete SCI (PS02-T2 AIS B) was substantially less than the motor response from the motor and sensory incomplete SCI. Conclusion: When performing transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation, the magnitude of motor response appears to vary with both the exact anatomical electrode configuration and the presence/severity of SCI. SCI participants demonstrated generally decreased motor responses, and a less predictable topographic pattern. Further work is needed to determine the ideal electrode configurations for different patients and spinal cord injury types.
Scope This article examines the structural and institutional factors contributing to the high cost of assistive products within the Portuguese Service Delivery Model between 2011 and 2022. It situates the Portuguese framework within a broader European context through a comparative analysis with Spain, Italy, and Ireland, aiming to identify operational inefficiencies that hinder the universalisation of access.Method The study employs a longitudinal analysis of national budgetary data and beneficiary trends, complemented by a comparative review of international service delivery models. To evaluate long-term sustainability, expenditure projections for 2035 and 2050 were calculated using the 2022 executed expenditure as a baseline, applying a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.43% derived from historical trends. The research evaluates the relationship between public R&D investment, market competition, and end-user affordability through the 'entrepreneurial state' framework.Key Findings The study identifies 'financial paradox': while total executed expenditure nearly quadrupled (from & euro;9.9M to & euro;37.7M) between 2011 and 2022, the total number of people supported declined by 22% (from 24,511 to 19,123 individuals), resulting in a nearly fivefold increase in the average cost per beneficiary. This trajectory indicates that the ecosystem has shifted towards a 'value-based pricing' logic, mirroring the pharmaceutical industry's strategy of setting prices according to the state's maximum fiscal capacity rather than actual production expenditure, leading to a 'double charging' of taxpayers where public funds de-risk the market without ensuring equitable returns. To address this, the findings advocate for a structural policy adjustment that includes integrating social conditionalities into R&D funding, promoting mass customisation and open-source distributed manufacturing to decouple autonomy from market-driven price rigidity, and reducing regulatory barriers to reposition assistive products as essential public infrastructures rather than niche commodities.
Background Foot-drop impacts negatively on ability to walk and quality of life. Evidence indicates that there are benefits and drawbacks to commonly used orthotic devices: ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) and functional electrical stimulation (FES). Further exploration is needed of the foot-up brace and newly-developed 'footwear for foot-drop.'Objective This study explored users' perspectives on four devices that support foot-drop.Method Secondary analysis was conducted of semi-structured qualitative interview data (n = 18) collected during a prototyping process relating to new 'footwear for foot-drop.' Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis explored people's experiences of different orthotic devices. Participants (Female n = 12; Male n = 6) had foot-drop due to multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 14), Guillain-Barre syndrome (n = 1), cerebral palsy (n = 1), chronic stroke (n = 1) or post spinal surgery (n = 1).Results Positive and negative experiences were reported for the functionality and design features of each device. Decision-making about device use was affected by foot-drop severity, personal preferences and context of use. Ease of use, comfort and appearance of devices were valued by participants.Conclusions Enhanced insights into different device options will support more informed, person-centred decision-making for device-users and prescribers. This may reduce device abandonment, improving experiences and outcomes. Study findings support the need for further research into the foot-up brace and 'footwear for foot-drop.'
