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Age-related changes in functional ability, particularly among people aging with long-term disabilities, can impact safe performance of toilet and bathtub transfers and severely limit their ability to successfully age-in-place. The SmartBathroom is a state-of-the-art bathroom laboratory that features mechanically adjustable features and an array of sensors that can measure walking performance, location of feet and hands, and forces applied to the bathroom surfaces and fixtures. To complement the SmartToilet system, TechSAge recently developed the SmartBathing Transfer Testbed prototype that will enable us to study how different bathing environment configurations can impact transfer performance. The testbed consists of a height adjustable tub wall and three-wall, height and angle adjustable grab bars with integrated sensors to measure hand location and grip and load forces. This session will describe the SmartBathing Testbed and present results of studies with individuals both with and without ambulatory impairments performing simulated transfers within the testbed.

Background Falls are a concern for older adults who use wheelchairs and scooters. Many wheelchair and scooter users require assistance to recover from a fall and often lie on the ground waiting for assistance for 10 min or more. An automated fall detection device may facilitate communication with care partners and expedite recovery; however, there is limited research on the specifications and features of an automated fall detection device preferred by older adults who use wheelchair and scooter. Objective To examine the desired specifications, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of an automated fall detection device desired by older adults who use a wheelchair or scooter through semi-structured interviews. Methods Fifteen full-time wheelchair and scooter users (9 females; age: 68 ± 5 years) were interviewed from July to November 2020. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. Results Preferred features include wireless charging, a watch form, ability to change the individual who is contacted in the event of a fall, and the ability to disable a notification in the event of a false alarm. Participants felt that an automated fall detection device would be useful and easy to use. Conclusions Older adults who use a wheelchair or scooter indicated the need for an automated fall detection device to facilitate recovery from a fall. Participants reported challenges with previous fall detection devices and the need for specific design requirements to facilitate ongoing use. Participants’ insights inform the design of a fall detection device to maximize usability and prevent technology abandonment.

Systems that recognize silent speech can enable fast, hands-free communication. Two prototypes let users control Google Glass with tongue movements and jaw gestures, requiring no additional equipment except a tongue-mounted magnet or consumer earphones augmented with embedded proximity sensors.

WOS: 000271672600011 PubMed: 19648898 Purpose A new perimetry method is described to evaluate central vision under multiple hue, illumination, and contrast conditions; results are described for normal individuals using high-contrast targets. Methods For 70 normal eyes of individuals with varying age, the ETDRS chart acuity was determined as well as discriminated target perimetry using high-contrast targets presented for 250 ms at locations up to 10 degrees eccentricity. Retesting was performed to evaluate for learning and repeatability for the thresholded acuity at each eccentricity. Results The ETDRS acuity averaged 1.15 +/- 0.37 arc min minimum angle of resolution (MAR) with best correction (20/23 equivalence). At fixation, the thresholded acuity for high-contrast targets paralleled the ETDRS acuity and averaged 1.75 +/- 0.85 arc min MAR (20/35 equivalence), and declined with increasing eccentricity in a linear fashion to 5.81 +/- 3.97 arc min (20/116 equivalent) at 10 degrees eccentricity. Linear regression showed Vmar = 1.74 vertical bar 0.330 * eccentricity in degrees (R-2 = 0.966, P < 0.0001). Testing time required similar to 8-10 min per eye. Repeated testing showed only minimal learning experience at the most peripheral locations. The test-retest 95% confidence limits of difference measured 1.12 arc mins MAR at fixation (64% of the mean) and remained approximately the same proportion to the mean thresholded acuity outwards to 10 degrees eccentricity. Conclusion The methodology seems rapid and reliable for measuring discriminatory visual function of optotype targets throughout the central 20 degrees diameter visual field. Eye (2009) 23, 2082-2089; doi:10.1038/eye.2009.177; published online 17 July 2009

WOS: 000263321000035 PubMed: 19039333 Purpose This pilot study was undertaken to examine the relationships between clinical measures of visual function and anatomic changes occurring in the eyes treated with bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods A retrospective review was conducted for 50 eyes that had been treated with at least three injections of bevicizumab for CNV due to AMD, and followed for at least 6 months. Vision outcomes included best-corrected ETDRS chart acuity, scored by best-line read (ETDRS line) and by total letters read (ETDRS letter), and two measures obtained from central acuity perimetry with 98% Michelson contrast targets, the best acuity within 6 degrees of fixation (BA6 degrees), and global macular acuity (GMA), representing a weighted average of the acuities thresholded at all intercepts within a 10 degrees radius of fixation. Assessment of anatomic outcomes included fibrosis, atrophy, and subretinal hemorrhage grading on fundus photography, CNV size, pigment epithelial detachment (PED) size and grading of CNV leakage on fluorescein angiography, and central retinal PED, and subretinal fluid (SRF) thickness on optical coherence tomography. Results Logistic regression analysis showed an association between the vision outcomes of EDTRS letter and BA6 degrees with the change in SRF thickness (R-2: 0.47 and 0.35, respectively). The outcome of the vision measurement of GMA was associated with the change in SRF thickness, in CNV thickness, and in CNV fibrosis grade (R-2: 0.34). No association was noted between the outcomes of ETDRS line with the change in any anatomic outcomes. Conclusion Acuity perimetry outcomes in this study seemed to offer improved understanding of the relationship between the vision outcomes and the measured anatomic changes. It seemed that neither ocular coherence tomography nor fluorescein angiography alone offered sufficient morphologic markers for prediction of functional outcomes. TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) This study was supported by TUBITAK.

Purpose: The CVA is an interactive, automated computer device that rapidly thresholds central acuity under conditions mimicking customary photopic and mesopic activities. In sequence, the CVA may test up to 6 environments, in this series under 3 mesopic environments (98%, 50% MC against 1.6 cd/m2 background, 25% MC against 5 cd/m2), then 3 glare environments (98%, 10% and 8% MC, against 200 cd/m2). This report compares the CVA thresholded acuity with that measured with letter charts, as well as with C-Quant derived glare testing and patient responses to the Activities of Daily Vision Scale (ADVS) in eyes with nuclear cataract. Methods: In 33 eyes with nuclear cataract compared with 69 emmetropic eyes without lens opacity, best refracted acuity was measured under CVA modules and with ETDRS charts presenting similar contrast and luminance. Both groups were also tested with 15% MC charts placed outdoors with sun overhead and with sun at 15° off-axis and compared with the CVA acuty at 10% MC and 8% MC thresholded in a darkened room. In 22 of the eyes with nuclear cataract, C-Quant analysis of straylight glare was also performed along with the ADVS. Results: Acuities thresholded with CVA modules demonstrated high Pearson correlation coefficients, and Bland and Altman statistical similarity with the acuities measured from similar contrast charts. The acuities measured with CVA glare modules correlated significantly with charts placed in sun glare and with C-Quant measurements of straylight. Significant correlations were noted between CVA acuities and near vision as well as distance driving tasks. Conclusions: The CVA demonstrates the ability to accurately threshold the acuity of eyes with nuclear cataract compared with chart acuity under conditions of contrast, luminance and fixation times simulating normal photopic and mesopic activities and to provide the physician with glare evaluation and ability to function under multiple types of activities.

Purpose: The Central Vision Analyzer (CVA) is an interactive, automated computer device that rapidly thresholds central acuity under conditions mimicking customary photopic and mesopic activities. In sequence, the CVA may test up to 6 environments, and in this series was used to test 3 mesopic environments (98% and 50% MC against 1.6 cd/m2 background, 25% MC against 5 cd/m2), then 3 glare environments (98%, 10% and 8% MC, against 200 cd/m2 background). This report compares the CVA thresholded acuity with that measured utilizing standard letter acuity charts. Methods: In 481 normal eyes acuity was measured with best spectacle and contact lens refraction using both CVA and 0.1 logMAR ETDRS charts presenting similar contrast and luminance. In addition for 162 emmetropic, eyes, acuity was tested with a 15% MC chart placed outdoors with sun overhead and with sun at 15° off-axis and compared with the CVA thresholded acuity at 10% and 8% MC presented in a darkened room. Results: All CVA modules demonstrated high Pearson correlation coefficients (r=0.51 to r=0.94, p