title: A perspective on intelligent devices and environments in medical rehabilitation.
abstract: Globally, the number of people older than 65 years is anticipated to double between 1997 and 2025, while at the same time the number of people with disabilities is growing at a similar rate, which makes technical advances and social policies critical to attain, prolong, and preserve quality of life. Recent advancements in technology, including computation, robotics, machine learning, communication, and miniaturization of sensors have been used primarily in manufacturing, military, space exploration, and entertainment. However, few efforts have been made to utilize these technologies to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities. This article offers a perspective of future development in seven emerging areas: translation of research into clinical practice, pervasive assistive technology, cognitive assistive technologies, rehabilitation monitoring and coaching technologies, robotic assisted therapy, and personal mobility and manipulation technology.
authors.affiliation: Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Department of Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, USA. rcooper@pitt.edu
authors.forename: Rory A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Brad E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Dicianno
authors.forename: Bambi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.forename: Edmund
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: LoPresti
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Garrett
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grindle
authors.forename: Hongwu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States; D014584:User-Computer Interface