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Objective The global demand for assistive technology (AT) is extensive, with over 2.5 billion people requiring one or more assistive devices. This number is expected to increase to 3.5 billion by 2050. AT empowers individuals to enjoy a healthy, productive, and independent life. It has become a global priority, recognizing the importance of improving access to AT for those in need. Accurate measurement of the demand and accessibility of these technologies is crucial for effective action in this area. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the rapid assistive technology assessment tool (rATA) to address this need. This tool serves to measure the utilization and requirement of AT among populations. This study aims to introduce and explain the steps taken to translate the rATA tool and examine its face validity in Iran. Materials & Methods After receiving authorization from WHO, the English version of rATA was translated into Persian by two proficient experts in rehabilitation. Subsequently, a backward translation was conducted by two experts who were fluent in both Persian and English. Following a consensus on the resulting version, an expert panel comprising seven professionals in rehabilitation and health was established to validate the face validity of the Persian version. Necessary modifications were implemented based on their feedback and approval. Results The Persian version of the rATA consists of seven sections and 42 questions. These sections include preliminary information/administrative survey data, demographics, AT need assessment, supply and demand, satisfaction, recommendations, surveyor's comments, and post-survey administration. As per the expert committee's decision, an additional question was incorporated into the preliminary information section, and the answer choices now include an option for further AT providers. Conclusion The Persian version of the rATA serves as a valuable tool for gathering data on the demand and accessibility of AT within the Iranian context. These data can aid decision-makers and policymakers in devising strategies to enhance access to AT, ultimately contributing to the goal of achieving universal health coverage. Furthermore, due to its potential for global applicability, the rATA questionnaire can be utilized for inter-country comparisons, providing insights into Iran's status regarding access to AT. Additionally, it can serve as a reliable platform for policy learning, facilitating the exchange of reliable and evidence-based policies among different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altered sensory processing especially in the auditory system is considered a typical observation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Auditory temporal processing is known to be impaired in ASD children. Although research suggests that auditory temporal processing abnormalities could be responsible for the core aspects of ASD, few studies have examined early time processing and their results have been conflicting. The present event-related potential (ERP) study investigated the early neural responses to duration and inter-stimulus interval (ISI) deviants in nonspeech contexts in children with ASD and a control group of typically developing (TD) children matched in terms of age and IQ. A passive auditory oddball paradigm was employed to elicit the mismatch negativity (MMN) for change detection considering both the duration and ISI-based stimulus. The MMN results showed that the ASD group had a relatively diminished amplitude and significant delayed latency in response to duration deviants. The findings are finally discussed in terms of hyper-hyposensitivity of auditory processing and the fact that the observed patterns may potentially act as risk factors for ASD development within the research domain criteria (RDoC) framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the treatment effects of semantic feature analysis (SFA) and phonological components analysis (PCA) on word retrieval processing in persons with aphasia (PWAs). After identifying the locus of the breakdown in lexical retrieval processing, 15 monolingual native Persian speakers with aphasia were divided into two groups. After three naming trials, participants with dominant semantic deficits received SFA, and participants with primary phonological deficits were provided with PCA three times a week for eight weeks. Both approaches improved participants' naming and performance on language tests, including spontaneous speech, repetition, comprehension, and semantic processing. However, the correct naming of treated and untreated items was higher in mild-to-moderate participants, with mostly circumlocution and semantic paraphasias in the SFA group. The same holds for mild-to-moderate participants with mostly phonemic paraphasia who received PCA therapy. Moreover, the results showed that participants' baseline naming performance and semantic abilities could be associated with the treatment outcomes. Although limited by a lack of a control group, this study provided evidence supporting the possible benefits of focusing on the locus of the breakdown for treating anomia through SFA and PCA approaches, specifically in participants with mild to moderate aphasia. However, for those with severe aphasia, the treatment choice may not be as straightforward because several variables are likely to contribute to this population's word-finding difficulties. Replication with larger, well-stratified samples, use of a within-subjects alternating treatment design and consideration of treatments' long-term effects are required to better ascertain the effects of focusing on the locus of breakdown for treatment of anomia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The unique neurovascular structure of the retina has provided an opportunity to observe brain pathology in many neurological disorders. However, such studies on neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) disorders are lacking. Objectives: To investigate NBIA's neurological and ophthalmological manifestations. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted on genetically confirmed NBIA patients and an age‐gender‐matched control group. The thickness of retinal layers, central choroidal thickness (CCT), and capillary plexus densities were measured by spectral domain‐optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) and OCT angiography, respectively. The patients also underwent funduscopy, electroretinography (ERG), visual evoked potential (VEP), and neurological examination (Pantothenate‐Kinase Associated Neurodegeneration‐Disease Rating Scale [PKAN‐DRS]). The generalized estimating equation model was used to consider inter‐eye correlations. Results: Seventy‐four patients' and 80 controls' eyes were analyzed. Patients had significantly decreased visual acuity, reduced inner or outer sectors of almost all evaluated layers, increased CCT, and decreased vessel densities, with abnormal VEP and ERG in 32.4% and 45.9%, respectively. There were correlations between visual acuity and temporal peripapillary nerve fiber layer (positive) and between PKAN‐DRS score and disease duration (negative), and scotopic b‐wave amplitudes (positive). When considering only the PKAN eyes, ONL was among the significantly decreased retinal layers, with no differences in retinal vessel densities. Evidence of pachychoroid was only seen in patients with Kufor Rakeb syndrome. Conclusion: Observing pathologic structural and functional neurovascular changes in NBIA patients may provide an opportunity to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and differential retinal biomarkers in NBIA subtypes in further investigations. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]