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[EN] Background: As people become older, the biological process of aging leads to a decline in functional capabilities, which entails difficulties in the performance of daily tasks. Within the "Active and Assisted Living Joint Programme" a consortium from Spain, Germany, and Switzerland developed an interactive Exergame software for older adults to maintain their physical abilities and independence within the daily tasks. Subjects and Methods: An interventional study was conducted to validate the software. For 3 months, Swiss and Spanish seniors used the system at least three times a week for minimum half an hour in their homes. The physical condition in terms of maintaining or increasing strength, balance, safety, and mobility of the seniors was assessed by using the Berg Balance Scale and the Senior Fitness Test. In addition, the effect on independence within the activities of daily living was assessed by using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, the Performance Quality Rating Scale, and the Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale. We used the EQ 5D to evaluate the "quality of life." Results: Twenty-nine participants (male; n= 14; female; n= 15) completed the study. Scores of endurance (2 minutes step test; P=0.01, eta(2) = 0.3) increased significantly. Moderate effect sizes in quality of life (r= 0.3), lower body strength (eta(2)= 0.08), and large effect sizes in endurance (eta(2) = 0.3) were detected. A small effect was evaluated within the gait speed (r= 0.2), mobility in the lower body (r= 0.2), and the balance capabilities (r= 0.2). Conclusion: The results of this study lead us to the conclusion that physical training with activity-focused exergames that are related to the everyday tasks of older adults could help to maintain and improve the individual fitness status.

Background: As people become older, the biological process of aging leads to a decline in functional capabilities, which entails difficulties in the performance of daily tasks. Within the ‘‘Active and Assisted Living Joint Programme’’ a consortium from Spain, Germany, and Switzerland developed an interactive Exergame software for older adults to maintain their physical abilities and independence within the daily tasks. Subjects and Methods: An interventional study was conducted to validate the software. For 3 months, Swiss and Spanish seniors used the system at least three times a week for minimum half an hour in their homes. The physical condition in terms of maintaining or increasing strength, balance, safety, and mobility of the seniors was assessed by using the Berg Balance Scale and the Senior Fitness Test. In addition, the effect on independence within the activities of daily living was assessed by using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, the Performance Quality Rating Scale, and the Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale. We used the EQ 5D to evaluate the ‘‘Quality of Life.’’ Results: Twenty-nine participants (male; n = 14; female; n = 15) completed the study. Scores of endurance (2 minutes step test; P= 0.01, g2 = 0.3) increased significantly. Moderate effect sizes in quality of life (r= 0.3), lower body strength (g2 = 0.08), and large effect sizes in endurance (g2 = 0.3) were detected. A small effect was evaluated within the gait speed (r= 0.2), mobility in the lower body (r= 0.2), and the balance capabilities (r= 0.2). Conclusion: The results of this study lead us to the conclusion that physical training with activity-focused exergames that are related to the everyday tasks of older adults could help to maintain and improve the individual fitness status.

We examine the proposition of a stationary assistive robot arm in the kitchen. Based on a preliminary business plan and with the aim of generating engineering requirements, a multi-disciplinary project was established to examine the wider ramifications of such assistive technology in the household, in a Swiss context, in the fields of health and social wellbeing. Additionally the engineering aspects as well as the business aspects were examined. We detail both the individual methodologies used in this study, the results achieved and discuss the results in a wider context.

Despite the fact that professional translation is characterized by human-machine interaction, the ergonomics of the professional translation workplace is relatively under-researched. In order to gain further insights into how translators worldwide have set up and organized their workplaces, an anonymous online survey was developed by a team of researchers in translation studies and occupational therapy as part of an interdisciplinary project. It was made available in six languages (English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish) and distributed through multipliers such as professional organizations. The interest that this topic generated in the professional community was reflected not only in the large number of completed questionnaires (1,850) but also by the comments provided by translators both in the survey itself and in email messages to the research team. This paper reports on the findings of the survey with a focus on differences existing among commercial, institutional, and freelance translators in different countries and the degree to which language technology is involved in professional translation. Findings are compared to good practice recommendations for computer work, and conclusions are drawn with respect to health issues related to suboptimal ergonomics. Alors même que la traduction professionnelle se caractérise par une interaction entre l’humain et la machine, l’ergonomie chez les traductrices et traducteurs professionnels reste un domaine relativement peu exploré. Dans le but de recueillir des informations sur la façon dont les traductrices et traducteurs à travers le monde ont agencé et organisé leur poste de travail, des chercheuses en traductologie et en ergothérapie ont réalisé une étude en ligne anonyme dans le cadre d’un projet interdisciplinaire. Traduit en six langues (français, anglais, allemand, italien, portugais et espagnol), le questionnaire relatif à cette étude fut envoyé par des multiplicateurs, par exemple des organisat

Most professional translators in the Western world are heavy computer users and thus may be exposed to health risks known to be associated with computer work. These include musculoskeletal ailments of the upper extremities, back, shoulders, arms, hands and problems with the eyes. This paper reports on the findings of workplace assessments and interviews with professional translators with respect to the ergonomics of their workplaces and related health issues. A total of 36 professional translators working as freelancers, in institutional settings or in commercial enterprises were visited at their workplaces. Each workplace was assessed and compared to the recommendations about ergonomics available in the literature. In addition, interviews were held with translators immediately after the assessments about their current health status and any recent complaints. Many of the assessed workplaces evinced a high standard of ergonomically appropriate equipment and furniture. However, the equipment was in many cases not adjusted to suit the ergonomic needs of the individual using the workplace. Although the level of complaints was low overall, the highest number of health complaints related to the eyes, eck and shoulder girdle. Frequent breaks, changing position and doing short exercises to loosen up tense muscles would address these problems by helping to reduce tension and pain in the neck, shoulders and back and by providing rest for the eyes. Whenever possible, an ergonomic consultation is recommended. It is also recommended that ergonomic knowledge about proper workplace set-up should be provided in professional training.

Hintergrund: Ältere Menschen wünschen sich möglichst lange unabhängig in der eigenen Wohnung leben zu können. Insbesondere das Arbeiten in der Küche stellt jedoch eine grosse Herausforderung dar. Im Rahmen eines interdisziplinären Projekts untersuchten Forschende der Zürcher Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften, der FH St. Gallen verschiedene Fragestellungen, die das Arbeiten älterer Menschen in der Küche betreffen. Das Projekt wurde von der Walder Stiftung finanziert und von Pro Senectute unterstützt. Ziele der Studie: Hauptziel der Studie war es festzustellen, ob ein Roboterarm eine sinnvolle und wirtschaftlich machbare Unterstützung für ältere Menschen in der Küche sein könnte. Dazu wurden folgende Fragestellungen untersucht: - Wie verändert sich die Bedeutung der Küche und des Kochens im Laufe des Lebens? - Welche Einschränkungen erfahren ältere Menschen während der Küchenarbeiten? - Unter welchen Bedingungen würden sie einen Roboterarm akzeptieren? - Wie gross ist das Marktpotential und welche Marktzugänge wären erfolgsversprechend? - Sind die Anforderungen der Personen und des Marktes technisch realisierbar? Methodik: Neben einer Literaturrecherche wurden eine Fokusgruppe und zwei Gruppeninterviews durchgeführt. Mit Hilfe einer Marktanalyse wurde die Wirtschaftlichkeit eines Roboterarms untersucht. Resultate: Die Bedeutung des Kochens verändert sich im Alter. Unterstützung wünschen sie die Teilnehmenden der Fokusgruppen insbesondere bei Tätigkeiten, die viel Kraft und Geschicklichkeit erfordern, die Mobilität betreffen und die unbeliebt und zeitaufwendig sind (z.B. Reinigungsarbeiten). In der Fokusgruppe konnte eine grundsätzliche Offenheit und Technikbereitschaft festgestellt werden. Besonders Menschen mit starken Einschränkungen eigenen sich hilfreiche Strategien an, um den Küchenalltag einfacher zu gestalten. Die Untersuchung der Wirtschaftlichkeit und technischen Machbarkeit ergab, dass der Einbau eines Roboterarms in bestehende Küchen aufgrund der Kos

In dem EU-Projekt "WeTakeCare" wird ein interaktives Computerprogramm entwickelt, welches das Training von Fitness- und Alltagsaktivitäten auf der Basis der Microsoft Kinect Bewegungserkennung ermöglicht und Betroffene wie Angehörige durch Informationen und Vernetzung mit anderen unterstützt. Ziel des Programm ist es, dass ältere, leicht bis moderat körperlich eingeschränkte Personen weiterhin in ihrem Alltag unabhänig bleiben.