Improving research and development of wearable assistive and rehabilitation technologies: a systematic review on diversity factors.

ABSTRACT: This paper analyses diversity and intersectionality aspects in the R&D of wearable assistive and rehabilitation technologies (WEARTechs). We advocate for inclusive, innovative research that we hope will help bridge the gap between laboratories and the real world and reduce disparities in healthcare and technology development. We performed a systematic literature review of the intersections between assistive technologies and diversity and conducted a thematic analysis of the diversity factors identified in the literature. In addition, we carried out a supplementary literature search on WEARTechs to discover which, if any, diversity aspects are currently being reported on. Our findings indicate that diversity has not been addressed in the field of WEARTechs. There is not sufficient knowledge

SUBMITTER: Lorke M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11844098 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature