Manual Wheelchair Handbook Study for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation

This IQP was sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation to conduct a pilot study on manual wheelchair maintenance. Previous IQPs created a wheelchair maintenance manual and website. We revised these documents to create a simplified online handbook that focused on improving communication between the staff and wheelchair vendors. Use of the handbook was tested at four DMR group homes. Some improvement in the direct care staff's knowledge was shown, but an online resource proved impractical given limited computer access in DMR homes

Development of a 'Smart Glove' Monitoring System for Personal Protective Equipment Applications

A proof of concept prototype of a "smart glove" system, which could monitor the physiological stresses related to repetitive strain and vibration-induced injuries, was developed at the University of Limerick Enterprise Research Centre in Ireland. The device logged grip force, vibration and goniometry data and could alert the user if dangerous vibration levels were reached. This prototype will provide a basis for future developments of devices that would enable safety by providing more information about injury risk in the workplace