A review: accessible technology through participatory design.

PURPOSE: The literature review presents a conceptual participatory design through accessibility technology solutions, considering the design experience to be an essential factor in communication processes. Technologies must assess a wide range of disabilities based on characterisations that helps daily activities. This work includes collaboration concepts to assist in the development of accessible technology. Collaborative design requires the fostering of communication between actors involved in the design process. METHODS: This work implemented with a protocol of guidelines developed by a group of experts in disability research. The relevant literature is included and assessed based on three categories: accessibility, assistive technologies, and participatory design. RESULTS: A knowledge gap can be identified: the development of assistive technology processes should enhance the voice of participants and consider their ideas, desires and needs. CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary communication is necessary to identify problems and propose solutions, and it is essential that people with disabilities collaborate with experts from a range of disciplines to identify problem-solving patterns.Implications for rehabilitationA participatory design can develop a holistic understanding of the participant's motivation and rehabilitation needs. This has provided a grounded basis to offer information about the assistive technology design.A participatory work provides information about the technology design which may finally result in a better understanding of rehabilitation, other types of home-based healthcare or the gamification for rehabilitation.The rehabilitation professionals can explore requirements of a customised technology for users, which allows to transfer knowledge about disabilities and skills in rehabilitation to people with disabilities, their families and communities.The notion of a research problem in rehabilitation can be re-evaluated through a participatory design process that attempts to capture the subjective experiences of persons with disability.

Does childbirth play a role in the etiology of rectocele?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Rectoceles are common among parous women and they are believed to be due to disruption or distension of the rectovaginal septum as a result of childbirth. However, the etiology of rectocele is likely to be more complex since posterior compartment prolapse does occur in nulliparous women. This study was designed to determine the role of childbearing as an etiological factor in true radiological rectocele. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the data from 657 primiparous women recruited as part of a previously reported study and another ongoing prospective study. Women were invited for antenatal and postnatal appointments comprising an interview, clinical examination and translabial ultrasonography. The presence and depth of any rectocele were determined on maximum Valsalva maneuver, as was descent of the rectal ampulla. Potential demographic and obstetric factors as predictors of rectocele development were evaluated using either multiple regression or logistic regression analysis as appropriate. RESULTS: A true rectocele was identified in 4% of women antenatally and in 16% after childbirth (P < 0.001). Mean rectocele depth was 13.5 mm (10 - 23.2 mm). The mean antepartum position of the rectal ampulla on Valsalva maneuver was 4.39 mm above and it was 1.64 mm below the symphysis pubis postpartum (P < 0.0001). De novo appearance of true rectocele was significantly associated with a history of previous <20 weeks pregnancy and fetal birth weight. Body mass index and length of the second stage were associated with rectocele depth increase. CONCLUSIONS: Childbirth seems to play a distinct role in the pathogenesis of rectocele. Both maternal and fetal factors seem to contribute.

Angiomyofibroblastoma of the retroperitoneum: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Angiomyofibroblastoma is a rare soft tissue neoplasm that presents most frequently in the genital region of young to middle-aged women. CASE: A 28-year-old woman presented with nausea, vomiting and pelvic pain. Computed tomography revealed a well-circumscribed, brightly enhancing pararectal mass in the retroperitoneum. A core needle biopsy suggested the diagnosis of angiofibromyoblastoma. Due to the highly vascular nature of the lesion, the patient underwent angiographically guided embolization in an effort to minimize surgical blood loss. This was followed by exploratory laparotomy and resection of the mass. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates an unusual presentation of angiomyofibroblastoma in the pelvic retroperitoneum and its management with preoperative selective embolization, which may have contributed to the minimal blood loss at the time of resection.