Integrated Wheelchair-Compatible Support System for Sit-To-Stand Movements Support

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryoichiro Shiraishi ◽  
Hiroaki Kawamoto ◽  
Yoshiyuki Sankai
Keyword(s):  
Support System ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
The Body ◽  
Wheelchair Users ◽  
Support Unit ◽  
Visual Biofeedback ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Complete Paralysis ◽  
Partial Paralysis

Abstract This study proposes a novel integrated wheelchair-compatible support system for wheelchair users with partial or complete paralysis. This system not only provides sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit (STS) learning support for stroke and spinal cord injury patients but also enhances the independence of wheelchair users. It integrates a lower limb movement support unit with a wheelchair and supports STS movement by moving the seat up and down linearly. It also measures the ground reaction force (GRF) on both sides of the body and supports proper STS movement to allow users to improve their movements and postures. Individual experiments were conducted to evaluate the system-provided STS movement support for two patients with partial paralysis and one patient with complete paralysis. Patients with partial paralysis, both hemiplegic and quadriplegic, were able to operate the system and perform the STS movement learning with visual biofeedback. Moreover, using our system, a wheelchair user with complete paraplegia was able to perform tasks at an elevated position independently. Therefore, this system will help wheelchair users achieve the self-motor-learning of STS movement and enhance their quality of life independently.

Improving sit-to-stand transition by the saddle-assistive device in the spinal cord injury: A case study

2021 ◽  
pp. 095441192110033
Author(s):  
Akbar Hojjati Najafabadi ◽  
Saeid Amini ◽  
Farzam Farahmand
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Limb Weakness ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Lower Limb Weakness ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cord Injury

Physical problems caused by fractures, aging, stroke, and accidents can reduce foot power; these, in the long term, can dwindle the muscles of the waist, thighs, and legs. These conditions provide the basis for the invalidism of the harmed people. In this study, a saddle-walker was designed and evaluated to help people suffering from spinal cord injury and patients with lower limb weakness. This S-AD works based on body weight support against the previously report designs. This saddle-walker consisted of a non-powered four-wheel walker helping to walk and a powered mechanism for the sit-to-stand (STS) transfer. A set of experiments were done on the STS in the use of the standard walker and the saddle-assistive device(S-AD). A comparison of the results showed that this device could reduce the vertical ground reaction force (GRF) of the legs up to 70%. Using this device could help a wide range of patients with lower limb weakness and SCI patients in changing from sitting to standing.

Using a saddle-assistive device equipped with mechanical orthosis for walking of the person with incomplete spinal cord injury

2021 ◽  
pp. 095441192110201
Author(s):  
Akbar Hojjati Najafabadi ◽  
Saeid Amini ◽  
Farzam Farahmand
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Assistive Devices ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Vertical Force ◽  
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Combined Application ◽  
Cord Injury

The majority of the people with incomplete spinal cord injury lose their walking ability, due to the weakness of their muscle motors in providing torque. As a result, developing assistive devices to improve their conditionis of great importance. In this study, a combined application of the saddle-assistive device (S-AD) and mechanical medial linkage or thosis was evaluated to improve the walking ability in patients with spinal cord injury in the gait laboratory. This mobile assistive device is called the saddle-assistive device equipped with medial linkage or thosis (S-ADEM). In this device, a mechanical orthosis was used in a wheeled walker as previously done in the literature. Initially, for evaluation of the proposed assistive device, the experimental results related to the forces and torques exerted on the feet and upper limbs of a person with the incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) during walking usingthe standard walker were compared with an those obtained from using the S-ADEM on an able-bodied subject. It was found that using this combination of assistive devices decreases the vertical force and torque on the foot at the time of walking by 53% and 48%, respectively compared to a standard walker. Moreover, the hand-reaction force on the upper limb was negligible instanding and walking positions usingthe introduced device. The findings of this study revealed that the walking ability of the patients with incomplete SCI was improved using the proposed device, which is due to the bodyweight support and the motion technology used in it.

scholarly journals The Role of Lipids, Lipid Metabolism and Ectopic Lipid Accumulation in Axon Growth, Regeneration and Repair after CNS Injury and Disease

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1078
Author(s):  
Debasish Roy ◽  
Andrea Tedeschi
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Lipid Accumulation ◽  
Axon Regeneration ◽  
Axon Growth ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cns Repair ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Cns Trauma

Axons in the adult mammalian nervous system can extend over formidable distances, up to one meter or more in humans. During development, axonal and dendritic growth requires continuous addition of new membrane. Of the three major kinds of membrane lipids, phospholipids are the most abundant in all cell membranes, including neurons. Not only immature axons, but also severed axons in the adult require large amounts of lipids for axon regeneration to occur. Lipids also serve as energy storage, signaling molecules and they contribute to tissue physiology, as demonstrated by a variety of metabolic disorders in which harmful amounts of lipids accumulate in various tissues through the body. Detrimental changes in lipid metabolism and excess accumulation of lipids contribute to a lack of axon regeneration, poor neurological outcome and complications after a variety of central nervous system (CNS) trauma including brain and spinal cord injury. Recent evidence indicates that rewiring lipid metabolism can be manipulated for therapeutic gain, as it favors conditions for axon regeneration and CNS repair. Here, we review the role of lipids, lipid metabolism and ectopic lipid accumulation in axon growth, regeneration and CNS repair. In addition, we outline molecular and pharmacological strategies to fine-tune lipid composition and energy metabolism in neurons and non-neuronal cells that can be exploited to improve neurological recovery after CNS trauma and disease.

scholarly journals Pain and its impact on functioning and disability in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury: a protocol for a mixed-methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e044152
Author(s):  
Mokgadi Kholofelo Mashola ◽  
Elzette Korkie ◽  
Diphale Joyce Mothabeng
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
South African ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Pain Medication ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Medication Misuse ◽  
Wheelchair Users ◽  
Manual Wheelchair ◽  
Cord Injury

IntroductionApproximately 80% of people with spinal cord injury experience clinically significant chronic pain. Pain (whether musculoskeletal or neuropathic) is consistently rated as one of the most difficult problems to manage and negatively affects the individual’s physical, psychological and social functioning and increases the risk of pain medication misuse and poor mental health. The aim of this study is to therefore determine the presence of pain and its impact on functioning and disability as well as to develop a framework for self-management of pain for South African manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.Methods and analysisCommunity-dwelling participants with spinal cord injury will be invited to participate in this three-phase study. Phase 1 will use a quantitative, correlational design to determine factors related to pain such as pectoralis minor length, scapular dyskinesis, wheelchair functioning, physical quality of life, community reintegration and pain medication misuse. Demographic determinants of pain such as age, gender, type of occupation, completeness of injury and neurological level of injury will also be investigated. Participants with pain identified in phase 1 will be invited to partake in a qualitative descriptive and contextually designed phase 2 to explore their lived experience of pain through in-depth interviews. The results of phases 1 and 2 will then be used with the assistance from experts to develop a framework for self-management of pain using a modified Delphi study. Data analysis will include descriptive and inferential statistics (quantitative data) and thematic content analysis (qualitative data).Ethics and disseminationApproval for this study is granted by the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Pretoria (approval number 125/2018). This study is registered with the South African National Health Research Database (reference GP201806005). This study’s findings will be shared in academic conferences and published in scientific peer-reviewed journals.

scholarly journals Effect of service dogs on manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury: A pilot study

2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffroy Hubert ◽  
Michel Tousignant ◽  
Fran�ois Routhier ◽  
H�l�ne Corriveau ◽  
No�l Champagne
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Service Dogs ◽  
Wheelchair Users ◽  
Manual Wheelchair ◽  
Cord Injury
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