Rehabilitation Chair Research Articles

Development of a Rehabilitation Chair Design Based on a Functional Technology Matrix and Multilevel Evaluation Methods

In order to meet the diversified rehabilitation needs of people, it is necessary to design a product for the active rehabilitation of patients. Existing rehabilitation chairs use intelligent massage, which can cause problems such as large massage areas, inability to massage locally, large chair size, and inability to meet the continuous use of the damaged parts. In this paper, the modular design method and multi-layer evaluation method are used to solve the problems related to rehabilitation chairs. The authors use the questionnaire survey method and the functional technology matrix method to determine the functional requirements of the rehabilitation chair, and then use the multilevel evaluation methods, including the AHP method, entropy weight method, and grey correlation analysis, to optimize the functional solutions of the rehabilitation chair, and finally obtain a chair for the rehabilitation of patients with upper and lower limb disorders. Problems such as the generalization of rehabilitation scope and non-durable use of components were solved, and the purpose of active exercise was achieved. This study verifies that the use of the multilevel decision evaluation method can effectively improve the efficiency of program decision-making and provides a theoretical and practical basis for the design of similar products.

Targeted tDCS Reduces the Expression of the Upper Limb Flexion Synergy in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> The emergence of abnormal movement synergies following a stroke presents a major limitation to the recovery of independent function(1). This study aims to explore a novel neuromodulatory technology based on a targeted tDCS(2-3) for reducing the upper limb flexion synergy post stroke. <h3>Design</h3> Randomized controlled trial. <h3>Setting</h3> Academic medical center. <h3>Participants</h3> Five adults (ages: 48-64 yrs. old) who suffered from a chronic hemiparetic stroke (Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer score: 23-34) participated in this preliminary study. <h3>Interventions</h3> We collected electrical brain activity (EEG) and behavioral measures during a movement task before and after the TMS/EEG guided tDCS. The participants were seated on a Biodex rehabilitation chair and performed a shoulder abduction task at 30% of maximum effort with their paretic arm while they were receiving tactile electrical finger stimulation. TMS/EEG guided tDCS was applied using five small stimulation electrodes. Three participants received the anodal stimulation of tDCS that targeted the ipsilesional motor cortex and underlying corticospinal tracts, and two others received the cathodal stimulation inhibiting the contralesional somatosensory cortex. The anodal stimulation location was determined by TMS over the ipsilesional motor cortex(5). The cathodal stimulation location was determined by the somatosensory evoked potential over the contralesional somatosensory cortex(4). <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> We measured the shoulder abduction induced synergic elbow flexion torque as the main outcome measure to determine its expression. <h3>Results</h3> All tested participants showed a reduced expression of synergic elbow flexion after the targeted tDCS. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our preliminary results suggested that facilitating the ipsilesional corticospinal tracts and inhibiting the contralesional sensory area in the brain, using the proposed tDCS technology, may help reducing motor impairments in chronic hemiparetic stroke. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> None

Perfil epidemiológico, clínico y funcionalidad alcanzada de la población con lesión medular traumática asistida en el Servicio de Rehabilitación y Medicina Física en el Hospital Universitario

Traumatic spinal cord injury may affect all functionalities of the spinal cord, what determines limitation in activity and restrictions in participation. Learning about its epidemiological profile is of the essence to plan healthcare, resources and preventive actions. The Rehabilitation Chair has a long history in providing healthcare to people with traumatic spinal cord injury in multidisciplinary teams. Data has been recorded since 1987, which information was analysed and presented at the National Neurology Conference in 2004.Objective: to describe the socio-demographic, clinical, functional and therapeutic characteristics of our population.Method: we conducted a longitudinal, retrospective, descriptive and analytical study of the entire population assisted between 2004 and 2017.Results: n=70, 86% male, 40±18 years old. The following causes were found: falls 36.4%, road accidents 31.8% and violence 28.8%; cervical level 57%, dorsal spine 40% and lumbar spine 3%. Initial ASIA impairment scale was 36.2% A, 13.8% B, 22.4% C and 5.2% D. Final ASIA impairment scale was 29.0% A, 3.2% B, 27.4% C, 25.8% D.&nbsp; 45% achieved independence in everyday basic activities, 60% transfer independence and 45% independent gait.Conclusions: the number of new cases decreased in the last 4 years and the etiological profile changed. Young men prevailed, lesions caused by falls, road accidents and violence were the most frequent, incomplete quadriparesis, followed by complete and incomplete paraplegia. The most frequent complications were nephro-urological and pressure sores. As to the functionality achieved, most patients were dependent in every day life activities, they could transfer independently and could not achieve independent gait.

Design and Fabrication of an Adjustable Sitting Inclinations Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Chair

Abstract The adjustable sitting inclination rehabilitation chair was fabricated with mild steel and soft upholstered fabric was used for the overlay on the seat, headrest and armrest. The components were coupled with a linear actuator at the upper frame for the reclining of the backrest about it axis. The wheels are located outboard of the seat of the chair to enhance stability while foot rest supports the posterior weight of the users. The narrow seat allows free movement of the leg when the user is seated. Sitting inclinations of 120 and 135° protect the spine disc from compression and proffer more comfort for the users than other angles experimented. The adjustable sitting inclination SCRC is simple and affordable for low-income people with Spinal cord injury, especially for those in developing countries in order to support other therapies for their recovery processes.

Comparative study of the efficacy of the canalith repositioning procedure versus the vertigo treatment and rehabilitation chair

Conclusion: Vertigo treatment and rehabilitation chair (TRV) may be suggested as the first choice for patients with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (p-BPPV). Objective: To investigate the short- and long-term treatment efficacy of the canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) versus TRV for patients with p-BPPV. Methods: A total of 165 patients with unilateral p-BPPV were assigned to either the CRP group or the TRV group. Patients were assessed at 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after their first treatment. The numbers of treatment sessions required for successful repositioning in both groups at 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months were recorded. Results: Treatment efficacy of patients in the TRV group was significantly better than that of patients in the CRP group 1 week after the first treatment. The number of treatment sessions needed for successful repositioning was significantly lower in the TRV group than in the CRP group at 4 weeks and 3 months after the first treatment.

The Classic

Marian Weiss (Fig. 1) was born in Kalisz, Poland. He studied medicine at the Jan Kazimierz University in Lwow and at the Jagiellonian University in Cracov. He began his orthopedic career in Warsaw in the Institute for Traumatology, headed by Professor Adam Gruca. In 1949, he organized the Konstancin Rehabilitation Center, which, with its 760 beds and all necessary facilities, is the main center for comprehensive management of musculoskeletal dysfunctions. He formed the so-called Polish model of rehabilitation, connecting reconstructive orthopedic surgery with rehabilitation procedures. In 1958, he was invited to Nancy by the World Health Organization to deliver several lectures on the courses organized in the field of rehabilitation. Creation of the Rehabilitation Chair at the Medical School in Warsaw influenced the dynamic development of the Konstancin Center, where treatment of patients, research work, and didactic activities were organized in close integration. As the Head of the Rehabilitation Department, Professor Marian Weiss coordinated the research and scientific rehabilitation program for Poland and for neighboring countries. The methods of rehabilitation at the Konstancin Center were recognized and introduced into practice in many countries. Professor Marian Weiss published about 200 scientific papers. He was also the author of many handbooks and monographs such as “Early Therapeutic, Social and Vocational Problems in the Rehabilitation of Persons With Spinal Cord Injuries,” published in English by Plenum Press in 1977. As a physician and scientist, he always tried to save human life. As a humanist and social welfare worker, Weiss understood the misery of disabled individuals and considered as his principal goal their health restoration and return to an active, creative life. Professor Marian Weiss was awarded many Polish and foreign decorations. He was the honorary member of a number of foreign medical societies, and Doctor h.c. of the University of Rennes.