Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
38 results found in health.
- Motion-based game accessibility (Movement game accessibility, Exergame accessibility)
- The design and adaptation of video games that use physical movement as the primary input — such as Kinect, Wii, and VR games — to be playable by people with motor impairments including wheelchair user…
- Multimorbidity (Multiple Long-term Conditions, Co-occurring Conditions)
- Multimorbidity is the presence of two or more chronic health conditions or long-term impairments in a single individual. It is especially prevalent among older adults and is a major factor in the comp…
- Occupational therapy (OT)
- A healthcare profession focused on enabling people to participate in meaningful daily activities (occupations) by addressing physical, cognitive, sensory, and environmental barriers. Occupational ther…
- Online Health Community (OHC, Digital Health Community, Online Support Group)
- A digital space where individuals with shared health conditions, disabilities, or wellness concerns connect to exchange information, provide emotional support, share experiences, and discuss treatment…
- Oxygen Desaturation (Hypoxemia, O2 Desaturation)
- A drop in blood oxygen saturation levels below normal ranges, which can occur during physical exertion in people with chronic respiratory conditions like COPD. Oxygen desaturation during exercise is a…
- Persuasive Technology (Behaviour Change Technology, Behavior Change Technology)
- Technology designed to change users' attitudes or behaviours through persuasion and social influence rather than coercion. In health and wellness contexts, persuasive technologies use strategies such …
- Playification
- A design strategy that transforms routine or clinical tasks into playful, engaging experiences without relying solely on competitive game mechanics like points and leaderboards. Unlike gamification, w…
- Post-Exertion Malaise (PEM, Post-Exertional Malaise, Crash)
- A disproportionate worsening of symptoms following physical, cognitive, or emotional exertion that would not cause comparable effects in a healthy person. Post-exertion malaise is a hallmark symptom o…
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR, Respiratory Rehabilitation)
- A supervised, multidisciplinary program for people with chronic respiratory diseases that combines patient education, exercise training, and self-management skills to reduce symptoms, improve quality …
- Quality of Life Framework (QoL Framework, WHOQOL)
- A structured approach to measuring and understanding an individual's overall well-being across multiple domains including physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, environment, …
- Quantified Self (Self-Tracking, Personal Informatics, Lifelogging)
- The practice of using technology to systematically track and analyse data about one's own body, health, behaviour, and daily activities. Common tools include fitness trackers, smartwatches, heart rate…
- Remote therapy (Teletherapy, Telepractice, Telerehabilitation)
- The delivery of therapeutic interventions — including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation — through technology-mediated communication rather than exclusively in-person sessions. R…
- Sedentary Behaviour (Sedentary Lifestyle, Physical Inactivity)
- Any waking behaviour characterised by low energy expenditure while in a sitting, reclining, or lying posture, such as prolonged sitting at a desk, watching television, or using a computer. Sedentary b…
- Self-Diagnosis (Self-Identification, Self-Dx)
- The process of identifying oneself as having a condition or disability based on personal research and self-assessment rather than through formal clinical evaluation. Self-diagnosis is particularly pre…
- Self-tracking (Quantified Self, Self-monitoring, Personal Informatics)
- The practice of using technology — typically wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers — to systematically record and monitor personal data about one's own behaviour, health, or activiti…
- Sensory Regulation (Sensory Modulation, Sensory Processing Management)
- The ability to manage and respond appropriately to sensory input from the environment. People with conditions such as autism, ADHD, migraines, or sensory processing disorders may experience heightened…
- Social Distancing (Physical Distancing)
- The practice of maintaining a minimum physical distance from other people to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases, widely adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic with recommended distances of a…
- Underdiagnosis (Missed Diagnosis)
- A pattern where a medical condition goes unrecognized and undiagnosed in a significant portion of the affected population. ADHD is substantially underdiagnosed in women, adults, and people of color du…