Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42742481›Full record

SynthesisOccupational therapy international2026

Integrating Assistive Technologies and Smart Home Systems in Neuromuscular Disorders: A Systematic Narrative Review of Clinical Outcomes and Occupational Therapy Perspectives.

Zisis Lazogkas, Aggeliki Tranta, Georgia Tsakni, Daphne Bakalidou, Pinelopi Vlotinou

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Occupational therapy international, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Zisis LazogkasDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece, uniwa.gr.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4748-6831
Aggeliki TrantaDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece, uniwa.gr.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8583-3109
Georgia TsakniDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece, uniwa.gr.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9143-1329
Daphne BakalidouDepartment of Physiotherapy, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece, uniwa.gr.
Pinelopi VlotinouDepartment of Occupational Therapy, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece, uniwa.gr.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8828-9093

Funding

University of West Attica
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIndividuals living with neuromuscular disorders experience progressive functional decline that severely impacts their daily autonomy and quality of life. While restorative robotics and compensatory smart home systems (SHSs) offer potential solutions, there is a need for a synthesized clinical framework to guide their integration. This narrative review, supported by systematic search and PRISMA-style selection, explores the synergy between these technologies and the specific role of occupational therapy in optimizing functional outcomes.

methodsA systematic narrative review was conducted by analyzing 20 primary studies focused on the application of assistive technologies in NMD populations. The synthesis categorized evidence into three primary domains: robotics and wearable systems, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and Internet of Things-driven smart home platforms. Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on quantitative performance metrics and qualitative user perspectives.

resultsThe review identifies significant functional gains associated with high-tech interventions, including a large effect size (1.06) for robotic upper-limb assistants. AI-driven multimodal smart home platforms demonstrated high technical precision, with monitoring accuracies reaching approximately 94% for motor impairment stages. However, despite this high technical efficacy, real-world utility remains complex, as clinical success is often moderated by nontechnical factors. Implementation is often hindered by barriers such as high costs, technical complexity, and privacy concerns. The findings highlight that successful integration depends on a "person-technology fit," facilitated by occupational therapists through rigorous customization and task adaptation.

conclusionIntegrating SHSs with traditional assistive technologies significantly enhances independent living for individuals with NMD. However, to move beyond experimental success, future research must prioritize user-centered codesign and the establishment of ethical mapping frameworks. Occupational therapists remain essential in bridging the gap between sophisticated technology and the practical, daily needs of patients.

Indexed as

Neuromuscular DiseasesOccupational TherapySelf-Help DevicesHumansInternet of ThingsQuality of LifeRoboticsWearable Electronic Devicesartificial intelligenceassistive technologyfunctional independenceneuromuscular disordersoccupational therapyrehabilitationsmart home systems

Identifiers

PMID42742481
PMCPMC13576904

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.