Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Jane Loscheider

Abstract

Purpose: The World Health Organization states that measuring outcomes is paramount to understanding the efficacy of assistive technology (AT) intervention (World Health Organization, 2022). Over 1 billion people across the globe use assistive technology, which is expected to double over the next 50 years. Outcome measures such as the Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) or Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) provide practitioners with information regarding the efficacy of AT interventions. This product aims to provide practitioners with a comprehensive, quick, and straightforward resource that outlines 14 assistive technology outcome measures for frequent use in practice.

Methods: A needs assessment was conducted, which included a literature review, skilled observation of assistive technology evaluation and intervention at an outpatient clinic in the Midwest, and informal interviews with practitioners working with assistive technology. The Ecology of Human Performance was used as a theoretical backing to better understand the relationship between the person, the task, and the context for which the specific AT is addressed (Dunn, 2017).

Results: A product containing 14 assistive technology outcome measures, along with descriptions and availability information, was created to support practitioners working in the field of assistive technology in selecting evidence-based tools to enhance their practice. The product will serve as a quick and straightforward resource for practitioners to identify which outcome measure more easily, they would like to use.

Conclusions: This product will serve as a quick and convenient resource for practitioners working in the field of assistive technology to track outcomes. Continued tool updating, discussion regarding the topic, and research are needed to better understand the effectiveness of various assistive technology interventions.

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