Although physical activity and exercise is known to benefit people with multiple sclerosis (MS), the ability of these individuals participate in such interventions difficult due mobility impairments caused by disease. Keeogo a lower-extremity powered exoskeleton that may be potential solution for enabling MS from exercise. An open-label, randomized, cross-over trial was used examine immediate performance effects when using device, benefits device home setting 2 weeks. Clinical tests without...

Many older adults in long-term-care homes have complex physical and cognitive impairments difficulty propelling manual wheelchairs. Power wheelchair use is restricted owing to safety concerns. wheelchairs with collision-avoidance features are being developed enable safe independent mobility; however, a paucity of information exists on interface help users navigate away from obstacles. We system combining an auditory, visual, haptic feedback simulated power wheelchair. This device allowed the...

In this study, textured composite surface with protruding fibers is developed, which exhibits extremely high coefficient of friction on ice. A novel material improved wear resistibility aimed to determine the target maintain its slip‐resistance properties over extended use. Particularly, two thermoplastic elastomers are compared, namely, polyurethanes (TPU) and Styrene–Butadiene–Styrene (SBS), reinforced five types varying stiffnesses ductility, including alumina, basalt, glass, carbon,...

A key best practice to prevent and treat pressure injuries (PIs) is ensure at-risk individuals are repositioned regularly. Our team designed a non-contact position detection system that predicts an individual's in bed using data from load cells under the legs. The was originally predict as left-side lying, right-side or supine. previous work suggested higher precision for detecting (classifying more than three positions) may be needed determine whether bony prominences on pelvis at high risk...

Patient handling activities require caregivers to adopt postures that increase the risk of back injury. Training programs relying primarily on didactic methods have been shown be ineffective at reducing this risk. The use real-time biofeedback has potential as an alternative training method.

Protective footwear is necessary for preventing injurious slips and falls in winter conditions. Valid methods assessing slip resistance on surfaces are needed order to evaluate outsole designs. The purpose of this study was utilise a method testing that ecologically valid terms involving actual human testers walking realistic produce objective measures resistance. During the experiment, eight participants tested six styles wet ice, dry ice after over soft snow. Slip measured by determining...

Fiber debonding and pullout are well-understood processes that occur during damage failure events in composite materials. In this study, we show how these mechanisms, under controlled conditions, can be used to produce multifunctional textured surfaces. A two-step process consisting of (1) achieving longitudinal fiber alignment followed by (2) cutting, rearranging, joining is the This employs common manufacturing techniques uses no reactive chemicals or wet handling, making it suitable for...

Focusing on rehabilitation goals is an effective approach for improving function in individuals with spasticity after stroke. The objectives of this study were to examine and map post-stroke using the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) International Classification Functioning, Disability Health (ICF), evaluate impact botulinum toxin A (BoNTA) occupational performance based type goals. Thirty-one patients recruited from outpatient management clinic. Each patient set one goal, was injected BoNTA...

Falls on icy surfaces are the leading cause of occupational injuries for workers exposed to outdoor winter conditions. Slip resistant footwear has been shown reduce risk falls indoor but until recently, there was no accepted standard evaluating slip resistance surfaces. Our team recently developed a lab-based testing protocol measuring resistance. This protocol, called Maximum Achievable Angle (MAA) test, measures steepest ice-covered slope that participants can walk up and down without...

Background Although ongoing exercise is known to reduce disability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), participation lower-extremity programs can be limited by their existing mobility impairments. Lower-extremity exoskeletons could address this problem facilitating home and community locomotion enhancing capability but little data available on the potential of technology for reducing MS.Methods We evaluated Keeogo™ exoskeleton MS using an open-label randomised cross-over design. The...

Two main applications requiring high friction on ice are automobile tires and footwear. The motivation behind the use of soft rubbers in these is relatively force generated between a smooth rubber contacting ice. Unfortunately, very low at temperatures near melting point as result we still experience accidents pedestrian slips falls winter. Here, report class compliant fiber-composite materials with textured surfaces that provide outstanding coefficients wet fibrous composites consist hard...

Outdoor workers experience high injury rates in the winter due to slipping on ice and snow. Our testing program has demonstrated that most safety footwear does not provide adequate slip-resistance and/or comfort icy conditions.Our objective was determine which of commonly worn available outdoor municipal Toronto, Ontario, Canada would best prevent slips surfaces models had good wearability.We selected 45 popular types by these applied our Maximum Achievable Angle (MAA) test method rate...

Purpose. Accessibility standards for wheeled mobility devices currently use a 1.5 m turning circle, designed to accommodate manual wheelchairs. Scooters are less manoeuvrable than wheelchairs, so allowing full circle would require too much space. Instead, we propose using rectangle that provides space three-point turn. Here, determine the area requirements of this approach.Method. For rectangular 'rooms' varying aspect ratios, measured minimum dimensions in which two four-wheeled scooters...

Home care providers experience high occupational injury rates. Improving safety is becoming increasingly urgent as this sector expands to support the aging population. Caregivers identify assisting with toileting a particularly frequent and difficult activity. This mixed-methods observational study identified analyzed subactivities that place at greatest risk of musculoskeletal injury. Eight personal workers (home aides) assisted frail older adult (actor) in simulated home bathroom. Overall...

BACKGROUND: Falls are among the leading causes of occupational injuries for workers exposed to outdoor winter conditions such as Personal Support Workers (PSWs).Slip resistant footwear is known reduce risk falls, however, it difficult predict how well a particular boot will perform prior purchasing them.Our recently developed Maximum Achievable Angle (MAA) test can be used rate objectively address this gap.OBJECTIVE: To slip resistance selection that meets needs and preferences PSWs.METHODS:...

Anti-collision systems have been developed for use with powered wheelchairs in order to enable people cognitive or physical impairments safely operate a wheelchair. consist of sensors that the ability detect objects near wheelchair and computer can stop chair if collision is determined be likely. This investigation considered suitability using ultrasound such system when encountering typically found within home long-term care facility. An sensor's an object was dependent on object's size,...

Caregivers who work in the home environment are at risk of back injury due to awkward postures they have adopt while providing care. Real-time biofeedback provided by a recently developed wearable device (PostureCoach) may be able reduce this risk. The effectiveness two-day training intervention (including PostureCoach and an educational video) was evaluated for its ability decrease amount time spent end-range spine flexion. Twenty novice caregivers repeated series simulated care tasks....