Real-Life Wheelchair Mobility Metrics from IMUs

Sensors, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s23167174 · Published: August 14, 2023

Assistive Technology Rehabilitation Biomedical

Simple Explanation

The study describes a method to measure how wheelchair users move in daily life using small sensors. These sensors, called IMUs, are attached to the wheelchair and measure things like speed, distance, and turns. The data from the sensors are compared to other measurement tools to check if they are accurate. The goal is to use this information to understand the impact of wheelchair use on shoulder health. This technology can also help wheelchair users track their activity levels and work with therapists to prevent injuries.

Study Duration

40 min course

Participants

10 able-bodied participants trained in wheelchair-related activities

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
IMUs can accurately measure wheelchair distance, speed, number of pushes, and turning characteristics in real-world settings.
2
Push duration measurements from IMUs differ from Smartwheel measurements because IMUs capture the effect of all energy applied to the wheelchair, including trunk and upper extremity movements.
3
Adding a second IMU to the wheelchair frame allows for reliable measurement of wheelchair inclination on slopes.

Research Summary

This study describes and validates a methodology to derive clinically relevant wheelchair mobility metrics (WCMMs) from IMUs placed on the wheelchair frame and wheel in real-life settings. The set of WCMMs includes distance covered, linear velocity, number and duration of pushes, number and magnitude of turns, and inclination of the wheelchair. The IMU-derived WCMMs are validated against accepted reference methods such as Smartwheel and video analysis, showing good agreement for most metrics, paving the way for examining real-life wheelchair ambulation behavior.

Practical Implications

Shoulder Injury Prevention

The ability to quantify real-life wheelchair mobility can help in understanding and preventing shoulder injuries among wheelchair users by monitoring exposure to risk factors.

Health Tracking and Self-Care

Wheelchair users can use this technology for self-care, activity planning, and communication with therapists.

Therapeutic Applications

The wheelchair mobility metrics can be applied to evaluate the outcome of health-related interventions in activity and participation domains.

Study Limitations

1
The study sample consisted of able-bodied participants, which may not fully represent the manual wheelchair user population, especially regarding trunk stability.
2
Push duration measurements from IMUs require further refinement to accurately reflect propulsive torque.
3
Clear definitions of a wheelchair push and turn in real-life settings are needed for standardized data collection and analysis.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Assistive Technology