Assistive Technology

The art and science of Assistive Technology (AT) applies modern technologies to the practice of medical rehabilitation and technological support for independent living for individuals with disabilities. AT projects at NRH span many research areas and involve individual researchers from a variety of hospital services and clinical professions.

AT activities at NRH take advantage of a unusual combination of skills, facilities and interests; specifically a strong community of research and development specialists in biomedical engineering and neuropsychology is positioned to undertake collaborative projects unlike those under way at more conventionally staffed laboratories.

NRH AT projects have historically targeted the needs of individuals with head injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and developmental disabilities. These activities address the clinical techniques of psychologists, occupational and physical therapist, physicians and speech pathologists. They make use of technologies based particularly in software development but also in man-machine systems, human factors, biomechanics, telehealth, virtual reality methods, and instrumentation. Assessment and enhancement of motor and cognitive function; and support and measurement of functional performance are the prevailing research themes.

AT research and development activities at NRH are sponsored by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and the National Institutes of Health. In its partnership with the former organization, NRH Research works collaboratively to meet particular USAMRMC mandates and to apply technologies developed in military programs to serve the needs of individuals with disabilities.