About this Research Topic

Background

Aging is associated with degenerative changes that significantly affect the mobility of older adults. These changes often lead to physical limitations such as reduced muscle strength, joint flexibility, and balance, resulting in difficulties with walking, climbing stairs, and other daily activities. Research on affordable technologies aims to improve mobility by addressing these challenges.

This field includes a wide range of technological solutions designed to enhance the quality of life, independence, and safety of older adults, particularly those who are frail. The goal is to empower older adults to lead fulfilling, independent lives while addressing the challenges of aging, and to protect the frail. This Research Topic focuses on creating accessible, cost-effective solutions tailored to the unique needs of the aging population.

Researchers and engineers are developing various technologies to address mobility challenges: these solutions range from simple devices to advanced systems. We encourage submissions of manuscripts that will cover (but not limited to) the following topics:

- Mobility Aids: These include walking aids like canes, crutches, and walkers, as well as mobility scooters and wheelchairs;
-Wearable Devices: Devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers with fall detection and health monitoring features;
- Exoskeletons: Robotic hand and exoskeletons that assist with mobility and balance;
- Telehealth and Telemedicine: Remote healthcare services that can provide medical advice and monitoring, reducing the need for physical travel;
-Impact of technology: studies that examine the impact of assistive technologies on the overall health and well-being of the aging population;

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Specialty Grand Challenge
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: aging, frail older people, mobility, assistive technology, affordable medical devices

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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