Sensing Senses: Tactile Feedback for the Prevention of Decubitus Ulcers

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback, 2010 · DOI: 10.1007/s10484-009-9124-z · Published: December 1, 2009

Assistive Technology Rehabilitation Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Decubitus ulcers, or pressure sores, are a significant healthcare problem, especially for those with spinal cord injuries who lack the sensation to prompt posture changes. A system is described that uses a sensor mat to identify problematic postures and offers tactile feedback. The goal of the system is to give users back their lost sense, so they can feel critical postures, and then move around to decrease the risk of developing Decubitus ulcers. The system introduces elements of game play into Decubitus ulcers prevention. The study investigates whether tactile feedback is sufficient to inform the user about critical postures. The design involves a sensor subsystem to detect pressure and an actuator subsystem to provide tactile feedback via vibration motors on a belt around the chest.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

26 volunteers (22 men, 4 woman) from the Department Industrial Design at the Eindhoven University of Technology

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The study found that tactile feedback is a viable option for posture feedback, though participants were slightly slower to react compared to auditory feedback.
2
The difference in reaction time between tactile and auditory feedback was small enough to be considered negligible in the context of Decubitus ulcers prevention.
3
The results indicate that the developed system is a suitable candidate for game play, leveraging the discreet nature of tactile feedback.

Research Summary

The paper presents a system using a sensor mat and tactile feedback to prevent Decubitus ulcers, addressing the challenge of posture neglect in individuals with spinal cord injuries. A preliminary study with healthy subjects compared tactile and auditory feedback, revealing that tactile feedback is a feasible alternative, despite a slight delay in reaction time. The study suggests future work should focus on long-term testing with spinal cord injury patients and exploring the use of the system in rehabilitation games.

Practical Implications

Assistive Technology Development

The study provides a foundation for developing assistive technologies that use tactile feedback to address sensory deficits and promote proactive health management.

Rehabilitation Game Design

The research opens possibilities for creating engaging rehabilitation games that leverage discreet tactile feedback, potentially improving adherence and outcomes.

Clinical Practice

The findings suggest the need for clinical studies to validate the system's effectiveness in preventing Decubitus ulcers and to establish guidelines for its use in patient care.

Study Limitations

1
The study used healthy subjects instead of LSCI patients, limiting the direct applicability of the results.
2
The experiment was conducted over a short period, not capturing the long-term effects of the system on posture behavior.
3
The study did not perform a clinical evaluation to justify claims about the system's contribution to Decubitus ulcers prevention.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Assistive Technology