Assistive Devices for Daily Living.

Assistive Devices for Dally Living National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Eastern Paralyzed Veteran's Association. Scarsdale, NY 1583-1621, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Eastern Paralyzed Veteran's Association, 1999, VHS, 24 min, $30.

This video is intended to acquaint viewers with assistive devices that allow even people with severe physical disabilities to have a measure of independence and success in self-care. One of the narrators, journalist Ellen Burnstein, summarizes the intent by indicating that "these devices enable you, allow you to move on and be productive."

The video is divided into several functional activity categories, including transfers, hygiene, food preparation and eating, communication by telephone and computer, and handling stairs. Each scene contains an individual with multiple sclerosis or undefined neurological impairment and who has various impairments and degrees of physical limitation.

The video covers a number of specific situations. It demonstrates bed-to-scooter transfers (including independent transfers and transfers requiring assistance for balance) and wheelchair-to-bed transfers using a sliding board. Its coverage of hygiene includes demonstrations of a shower stall with a seat, grab bars, handheld showers, oral hygiene, and makeup application. This section also describes cues for attendant assistance.

The topic of food preparation and eating includes coverage of devices such as walkers and ankle-foot orthoses; discussions of balance dysfunction, fatigue,

energy conservation, and use of a wheelchair in the kitchen to decrease energy expenditure; descriptions of adapted eating utensils and mechanical assistance to help persons with severe upper extremity weakness; and coverage of kitchen design to accommodate a scooter. The video also demonstrates modifications of telephone receivers and handpieces and reviews computer modifications such as voice-activated and voice-recognition software and mouthsticks. It also illustrates a stair/chair glide that is used to provide access to the second floor of a house.

The video includes a disclaimer that encourages viewers to seek the professional assistance of a physical therapist or occupational therapist for further information and instruction on any of these devices for appropriateness, safety, and purchase.

If the video's intent is to simply expose a wide variety of people to "tools" that allow modified independence, it accomplishes this task very well; however, it is not well-suited to be a training video. The overall message of restoring "levels of independent function using assistive devices" is reinforced within each segment, and the video suggests options for people with all levels of impairment. It is valuable as material for patient education or group discussion.

Barbara Reddien Wagner, VT University of Scranton Scranton, Pa

Ms Wagner is Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education in the Department of Physical Therapy. Her teaching interests include women's health, oncology, and psychosocial aspects of disabilities.