A Basic Study on Temporal Parameter Estimation of Wheelchair Propulsion based on Measurement of Upper Limb Movements Using Inertial Sensors

Wheelchairs are the most widely used assistive device to aid activities of daily living (ADL) for disabled people. However, manual pushing of a wheelchair frequently leads to overuse of upper extremities causing shoulder pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. The purpose of this study was to test a novel method of estimating temporal parameters of wheelchair propulsion using inertial sensors. In this paper, normalized coordinate values of the vector defined on the upper arm were calculated from an inertial sensor attached on the upper arm. The number of strokes and push cycle timings including duration of propulsion and recovery phases were estimated for steady state wheelchair propulsion. This estimation was completed using a novel vector-based approach and a previously published resultant acceleration method; both were compared to timings measured using the SmartWheel. Measurements were performed on level and sloped surfaces with 10 able bodied subjects. The vector-based method improved estimation of the number of strokes when compared to the resultant acceleration method. However, the push cycle was estimated with better accuracy by the resultant acceleration method. Therefore, a combination of the vector-based and the resultant acceleration methods is proposed to ensure more accurate estimation of temporal parameters. The results suggest inertial sensors can be used to measure wheelchair activity accurately and reliably

A Validation Test of Using Shoulder Joint Moment in Evaluation of Load in Wheelchair Propulsion

Manual wheelchair is an effective device for assisting independent life of motor disabled subjects. However, many users of manual wheelchair have been suffered from shoulder pain because propelling the wheelchair needs repetitive movement of upper extremities. The purpose of this study was to examine a validity of using shoulder joint moment in evaluation of load on the users in wheelchair propulsion. Since shoulder joint moment can evaluate mechanical load on the shoulder, the indexes are expected to provide information to help wheelchair propulsion in decreasing of shoulder pain. Two evaluation indexes derived from shoulder joint moment were tested in this paper: FT/MS and FR/MS, which showed contribution of shoulder joint moment (MS) to wheelchair propulsion (tangential force on handrim FT) and to the resultant force on handrim (FR). These indexes were compared to the index FT/FR which was based on previous studies. Measurements of movements during wheelchair propulsion were performed with 3 healthy subjects on stationary wheelchair ergometer under the different conditions of propulsion speed and resistance of ergometer. Correlation coefficient between the proposed indexes and FT/FR were low (-0.51 to 0.10), which suggested that the proposed indexes had different information from the index FT/FR. Change of the index values between low and high propulsion load conditions were different between subjects. These results suggest that using indexes derived from shoulder joint moment would be effective in evaluation of load in wheelchair propulsion

Smart Sensors for Healthcare and Medical Applications

This book focuses on new sensing technologies, measurement techniques, and their applications in medicine and healthcare. Specifically, the book briefly describes the potential of smart sensors in the aforementioned applications, collecting 24 articles selected and published in the Special Issue “Smart Sensors for Healthcare and Medical Applications”. We proposed this topic, being aware of the pivotal role that smart sensors can play in the improvement of healthcare services in both acute and chronic conditions as well as in prevention for a healthy life and active aging. The articles selected in this book cover a variety of topics related to the design, validation, and application of smart sensors to healthcare

Book of Abstracts 15th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering and 3rd Conference on Imaging and Visualization

In this edition, the two events will run together as a single conference, highlighting the strong connection with the Taylor & Francis journals: Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering (John Middleton and Christopher Jacobs, Eds.) and Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering: Imaging and Visualization (JoãoManuel R.S. Tavares, Ed.). The conference has become a major international meeting on computational biomechanics, imaging andvisualization. In this edition, the main program includes 212 presentations. In addition, sixteen renowned researchers will give plenary keynotes, addressing current challenges in computational biomechanics and biomedical imaging. In Lisbon, for the first time, a session dedicated to award the winner of the Best Paper in CMBBE Journal will take place. We believe that CMBBE2018 will have a strong impact on the development of computational biomechanics and biomedical imaging and visualization, identifying emerging areas of research and promoting the collaboration and networking between participants. This impact is evidenced through the well-known research groups, commercial companies and scientific organizations, who continue to support and sponsor the CMBBE meeting series. In fact, the conference is enriched with five workshops on specific scientific topics and commercial software.info:eu-repo/semantics/draf

Biomechanical analysis of sport performance of Wheelchair Rugby Italian National Team players

A biomechanical analysis on 19 Wheelchair Rugby Italian players was performed. Isometric force in unilateral and bilateral pushing forward, shoulder and elbow flexion/extension was evaluated. Dynamic test of sprint, rotation, eight track and the analysis of a match were performed with inertial sensors. Finally, seat pressure distribution in static and dynamic positions was studie

International Conference on NeuroRehabilitation 2012

This volume 3, number 2 gathers a set of articles based on the most outstanding research on accessibility and disability issues that was presented in the International Conference on NeuroRehabilitation 2012 (ICNR).The articles’ research present in this number is centred on the analysis and/or rehabilitation of body impairment most due to brain injury and neurological disorders.JACCES thanks the collaboration of the ICNR members and the research authors and reviewers that have collaborated for making possible that issue