Table 5 Key outcomes of the included articles presented in relation to their categorization

Armstrong and Heidingsfield (2000), UK [40]

Aromatherapy and therapeutic massage

To promote confidence and communication as well as enhancing a sense of well-being with aromatherapy and therapeutic massage.

Aromatherapy and therapeutic massage increased tactile communication with others. The aromatherapy and therapeutic massage seemed to make the person with DB more sociable, outgoing, and more acceptant to tactile contact thus enhancing communication skills and confidence.

1

CDBⁱⁱ

Bloeming-Wolbrink et al. (2018), Netherlands [28]

Intervention programme for interaction and bodily emotional traces (BET)

To examine the effects of a two-phase intervention program for caregivers working with adults with CDB and intellectual disability aimed at fostering harmonious interactions (Phase I), and the use and recognition of participant expressions based on a BET (Phase II).

Occurrence of all target behaviours across participants increased during the intervention; participant expressions based on BET increased after the interaction practicing and increased further after the BET practicing.

5

CDB

Bracken and Rohrer (2014), Ireland [32]

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

To facilitate for adults with DB and learning disabilities to use an adapted form of PECS. Additional aims were to measure its efficacy using the percentages of independent requests and to assess if it is possible to generalise acquired skills to other contexts and communicative partners.

All participants demonstrated higher levels of independence in requesting after PECS practice. The acquired skills could be generalised to other contexts and communication partners.

3

CHARGE syndrome, Congenital Rubella syndrome

Cantin et al. (2019), Canada [37]

Communication Assistive Technology (CAD) based on a braille display note taker connected to a Smartphone via Bluetooth

To compare the communication in real-life situations and how these interactions work with or without CAD, and to describe the participant’s emotional experience after using the CAD.

CAD is useful and modifies the nature of interaction and communication. Although the use provided positive attitudes there were some recurring technical problems, which implies that CAD needs to be developed further.

1

Usher syndrome

Carrera et al. (2017), Spain [34]

Vibrotactile glove

To assess the viability of communication through a vibrotactile device.

After practicing, the overall message identification rate was 97%.

4

Usher syndrome

Damen et al. (2014), Netherlands [29]

Educational intervention (High-Quality Communication [HQC]) for social partners

To investigate the instrumental value of the theory of intersubjectivity for understanding and stimulating interpersonal communication.

HQC increased the rate of intersubjective behaviours. This was most evident in the dyadic interaction between the participant and the social partner.

1

Goldenhar syndrome

Damen et al. (2015), Netherlands [30]

HQC for social partners

To test the effects of the HQC intervention on forms of intersubjectivity in interpersonal communication.

Some intersubjective behaviours increased. The findings indicated that the support of both attunement strategies and meaning-making strategies could have positive effects on the intersubjective communication.

4

Congenital rubella syndrome, premature birth

Evers et al. (2012), Canada [39]

Accessibility to telephone services

To describe the process in which the participant’s and rehabilitation agency’s goal was to make telephone services accessible.

As the client’s vision and hearing declined over time, accessibility to telephone services had to be adapted regularly to meet the needs of the client. This process was facilitated by a multiprofessional cooperation within the rehabilitation team.

1

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Gibson et al. (2020), Norway [31]

Learning through meaningful outdoor activities

To design an activity that was possible to understand through the tactile sense, creating the best possibilities for language development.

Language of the participant with DB developed. Success factors were authenticity and meaningfulness of the activities

1

CHARGE syndrome

Gibson and Nichols (2018), UK [41]

Theoretical and practical framework for integrating autobiographical memory with experiential learning outdoors

To describe the relationship between autobiographical memories and outdoor activities.

Outdoor education approach can aid in providing shared authentic memorable experiences and enhancing the construction of autobiographical memories in bodily tactile modality.

1

Congenital Rubella syndrome

Hartel et al. (2017), Netherlands [38]

Advanced signal processing on binaural hearing aids with nonlinear and linear amplification programs

To investigate if advanced signal processing of sound by hearing aids has any effect on speech intelligibility in noise and on sound localisation.

The linear program was used significantly more often than the nonlinear program (77% vs. 17%). There was no significant difference for speech intelligibility in noise and sound localisation between amplification types. The participants reported higher outcomes on ‘ease of communication’ and overall benefit, and significant lower on disability in predetermined and personally relevant situations when comparing the hearing aids worn in this study with their previously worn hearing aids with compression amplification.

18

Usher syndrome type 2a

Hussain et al. (2019), Pakistan [35]

Mobile application to assistive Muslim prayer (SmartPrayerAid)

To evaluate the assertiveness of the SmartPrayerAid when participating in Muslim prayer.

The result showed that SmartPrayerAid made it possible for the participants to concentrate on religious spirituality. It also facilitated participants in remaining synchronised with the Imam’s movements without the help of others.

3

Not defined

Ogrinc et al. (2018), UK [36]

Haptic interface to practice horseback riding

To evaluate a tactile wireless interface used when horseback riding in terms of the equestrian’s independence, confidence, enjoyment, comfort and safety.

The wireless interface enabled the equestrian to perceive the instructions given and to follow them. The equestrian experienced it joyfully and felt more secure and independent when using the device.

1

Not defined

Shivakumar et al. (2014), India [33]

A vibrotactile glove designed for communication (Braille glove vibration system)

To test if the Braille glove vibration system is useful in coding conversation in English text to Braille.

The results show that it was challenging for the participants to decode letters and digits. They were unable to decode words or sentences.

2

Not defined

Borg et al. (2001), Sweden [44]

Eyeglasses with three microphones and four vibrators used for real-time directional analysis of sound sources

To test the eyeglass system.

Vibratory signals were easy, or relatively easy, to perceive and the participants could identify sound direction.

2

Not defined

Bourquin and Moon (2008), USA [43]

Communication cards for pedestrians to get assistance to cross a street

To compare if there was any difference between two communication cards, one small and one large, when asking for help to cross a street.

The larger communication cards were more efficient when soliciting help to cross a street.

7

Not defined

Demchinsky et al. (2019), Russia [50]

Rehabilitation programme (Second Sight Program) after Argus II retinal prosthesis surgery

To propose a new method for evaluating the functional results after implantation of an Argus II retinal prosthesis, and to describe the Second Sight Program and psychological assessment.

After the surgery and Second Sight Program, the person could discern colours and objects. The person also described a higher level of well-being, better health, feeling more independent and more self-confidence.

1

Usher syndrome

Dufour et al. (2005), Canada [48]

Auditory localisation training program (Auditory Localisation Evaluation System [SELA])

To evaluate if SELA might improve auditory skills useful for mobility and increase the feeling of security in travel situations.

The participant described more confidence in the capability of localisation.

1

Usher syndrome type 2

Franklin and Bourquin (2000), USA [42]

Assistance cards for street crossing

To compare the results obtained from the use of two different assistance cards to get assistance in crossing a street.

There was no significant difference between the two cards. Both were generally effective to receive assistance in crossing a street.

5

Not defined

Laby (2018), USA [49]

Sports vision training

To evaluate if sports vision training might improve objective and subjective visuomotor function.

After practicing, a 27 to 31% improvement in hand-eye coordination was achieved. There was also a 41% improvement in object tracking and visual concentration. After the intervention period, the person experienced a subjective improvement of her visual ability.

1

Usher syndrome type 3

Lancioni et al. (2010), Italy [45]

Orientation technology for indoor travelling in a wheelchair based on vibratory (direction) cues

To assess an adapted orientation technology developed for promoting correct direction and room identification during indoor travelling.

The participant was able to use the technology successfully when ambulating and could find the right direction and appropriate room entrances.

1

Traumatic brain injury

Nadal and Iglesias (2018), Spain [51]

Rehabilitation after retinal implant Argus II

To describe visual outcomes and posterior rehabilitation of a person receiving an Argus II prosthesis.

After the intervention, the person communicated more fluently with sign language. The vision had been improved and the participant could, among other things, read capital letters with high contrast and read sign language at a distance.

1

Usher syndrome type 2

Ranjbar and Stenström (2013), Sweden [46]

Vibrotactile aid for environmental perception (Monitor)

To test Monitor and compare the omnidirectional microphone with the directional microphone concerning the ability to detect, identify, and recognise the direction of sound-producing events.

Monitor improved the ability to detect, identify, and recognise the direction of sound producing events, although it was easier to detect than to identify the sounds. The omnidirectional microphone got better scores in home environment, whereas the directional microphone scored better in traffic.

4

Usher syndrome type 1

Vincent et al. (2013), Canada [47]

Electronic mobility aid devices (Breeze and MiniGuide)

To assess performance and satisfaction with independent mobility and the technical aid provided with Breeze and MiniGuide, and to assess the use of the electronic mobility aid devices.

The persons benefited from Breeze and MiniGuide, respectively, and they were satisfied with the use. Nevertheless, the persons felt that both Breeze and MiniGuide needed further development.

2

Usher syndrome

Batanero et al. (2019), Spain [52]

An adapted digital educational platform: Moodle

To assess the learning performance when engineering students used a non-adapted learning platform and the adapted learning platform.

The students learning significantly improved when using the adapted learning platform.

3

Not defined

Garcia-Crespo et al. (2018), Spain [53]

A technical device (GoAll) developed to increase the autonomy of individuals with DB

To evaluate if GoAll allows people with DB to get direct access to content broadcasted on digital television.

Out of the participants 55% reported that they used GoAll somewhere between 5 to 7 Days a week watching news, movies, documentaries, reality shows, and entertainment shows. Eight of them (89%) found it easy to use GoAll independently. They experienced greater autonomy, which led to a sense of satisfaction. They became more motivated to discuss and exchange experiences with others about TV shows they had watched.

9

Not defined

Hansen et al. (2004), USA [54]

Solution for reading a screen via screen reader or braille display (HTML-form System)

To evaluate HTML-form System in computer-based tests.

The participants stated that the HTML-form System was challenging to use in computer-based tests, but the person who used the Braille display considered himself to benefit from the program.

2

Not defined

Côte et al. (2013), Canada [55]

Life Transitions Through Personal Goals program – a group intervention in in five stages

To increase psychological well-being, self-determination and ability to set, plan, and pursue a goal using learned strategies.

Result of the intervention showed partial significant positive effect on meaning of life. No significant changes were shown on serenity, self-determination and ability to set, plan, and pursue a goal.

7

Usher syndrome type 2