• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

This paper reviews trends of the rehabilitation welfare devices on the basis of products and markets. Latest assistive devices tend to have a fold function. Auxiliary power assist module has been added. The completion of products has been improved. The folding function has strong relationship with portability. Specifically, various mobility devices, including foldable devices, are associated with enhanced portability. Powered auxiliary wheels and upper extremity supporting modules have entered the market. The leading-edge technology like Segway's control technology applies to two-wheel wheelchairs. The brand- new technology, lower extremity robotic exoskeleton, applies to markets. Standing wheelchairs, ramps, stair climbing assistive devices becomes more common. In addition, a combination of a variety of smart devices is being promoted to the classical assistive devices' part. Rehabilitation welfare devices can be more valuable due to nice industrial design, improved materials, and processing technology.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to find the effects of using aid in enhancing walking ability inpatients with spinal cord injury who have received rehabilitative care. The study population consisted of 24 spinal cord injury patients referred to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in the National Rehabilitation Center (NRC). All subjects were ambulatory with or without an assistive devices. All of the participants were assessed on SCIM II, WISCI II, FIM, MBI, gait speed (m/s), and walking endurance (120 min/m). The data were analyzed using a paired t-test, a one-way ANOVA, and a Duncan test. The results revealed that TSCIM II and all of the items of SCIM II of the cervical ASIA D group patients were higher than those of the Thoracic ASIA A and C group patients (p<.05). The FIM, MBI, and WISCI II of the cervical ASIA D group patients were higher than those of the Thoracic ASIA C group patients (p>.05). The walking velocities of the lumbar ASIA C group patients were higher than those of Thoracic ASIA A group patients (p<.05). The walking endurance of the lumbar ASIA C group patients was higher than that of the thoracic ASIA C group patients (p<.05). The ASIA D group patients used bilateral standard canes or crutches, but none used AFO. The ASIA A and C group patients used bilateral standard walkers with KAFO for standing and walking. The findings suggest that injury level as well as the functionality of walking aids should be considered when formulating a rehabilitative plan for patients with spinal cord injury.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.180-190
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• 2016

This prospective pilot clinical trial mainly focuses on developing dual chamber-based assistive cups which are suitable for stroke patients who have struggled with using there affected arms. It is unable to provide motor and sensory enhancement during drinking activities and to examine the feasibility of the devices for acute phase, even for chronic stroke survivors. The stroke patients(n=16; male=8, female=8), in this trial, were provided informed consent to the investigation. All the individuals participated in 1 weeks of training for using cups, randomized over dedicated dual chamber based assistive cups(DC) or placebo-cups(PC) training. All the participants were assessed within 1 week before and after the intervention period. 3-dimensional motion analysis, sEMG(surface electromyography) and 3-dimensional trunk movement were assessed. The result presents DC data group compared with PC showed, they needed lesser ROM(range of motion) at the phase of drinking in shoulder movements and lesser muscle activities on upper trapezius, deltoid middle fiber and triceps brachii muscles, lesser tilting movement on front and back side in drinking phase, the differences were statistically significant(p<.05). Dual chamber-based assistive cup could be one of efficient way to complete ADLs(activities of daily living), especially drinking tasks, and these evidence data may contribute to determine certain rehabilitation policies related to assistive devise usage.