A Smartphone Application for Improving Powered Seat Functions Usage: A Preliminary TestYu-Kuang Wu, MS PT, Hsin-Yi Liu, MS PT, Josh Brown, BS, Annmarie Kelleher, MS OTR/L, Hongwu Wang, PhD, Rory A. Cooper, PhD
INTRODUCTIONPowered wheelchair users who use powered seat functions Unable to adjust their postures or manage their seating pressure
independently because of motor and/ or sensory impairments
The powered seat functions Provide users with dynamic postural support Help users perform pressure relief Provide management of complications Improve driving safety
A tailored reminder system Provide reminder to users to adjust powered seat function based on clinical
recommendations Extend training beyond the clinical setting and into real world situation
INTRODUCTIONVirtual Seating Coach (VSC) Install sensors on the wheelchair to monitor powered seat functions usage
Facilitate and instruct users to utilize powered seat functions based on clinical recommendations
Increase subjects' compliance with clinical recommendation Increase 30% compliance of performing pressure relief
The preliminary findings encourage us to increase the number of individuals who can benefit from this application
Challenges of Current VSC Time consuming for sensors installation.
Need case for every encoder Require permanent modification to wheelchair We have to provide our wheelchair to the users in
the study. Develop an easily and quickly installed system for
most powered wheelchairs Accelerometer
Tablet size and location Interfere with daily activities A compact display and computer device
Android smartphone
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The purposes of this study are toDevelop an Android smartphone based virtual seating coach
Test the usability of this Android smartphone based virtual seating coach
Request data
Broadcast data
Two vectors (y and z axis) to determine the tilt angle
The locations of accelerometers were placed
DESIGN GOALSFeatures Quick installation Easy to use Reposition Reminder (powered seat functions usage &
pressure relief reminders) User performance feedback Customize the coach application
QUICK INSTALLATION AND EASY TO USE
Video Demo of System Installation
POWERED SEAT FUNCTIONS REMINDERS
POWERED SEAT FUNCTIONS REMINDERS - SAFETY DRIVING REMINDER
Video Demo of Reposition Reminder
PRESSURE RELIEF REMINDER
PRESSURE RELIEF REMINDER
Video Demo of Pressure Relief Reminder
USER PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK AND CUSTOMIZE THE COACH APPLICATION
Easy t
o lea
rn
Easy t
o use
Easy t
o obta
in inf
o
Good u
ser ex
perien
ce
Clear
interf
ace
Organiz
ed inf
ormati
on
Easy t
o nav
igate
Error
tolera
nce
Clear
error
messag
es
Signifi
cant fu
nction
s and
capab
ilities
Good Q
uality
of se
rvice/
inform
ation
3
3.5
4
4.5
User ControlSc
ale
0: Totally Disagree5: Totally Agree
USABILITY TEST RESULT (N = 5)
USABILITY TEST RESULT (N = 5)
Understandable instruction to perform pressure relief
Clear reminder of the pressure relief
Understandable instruction adjust your wheelchair
Clear warning message of seat functions
Understandable the stats chart
Clear stats chart display
Understandable seating angle information
Clear seating angle information
3 3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4 4.2 4.4 4.6
Visibility of the System
1: Very difficult 5: Very easy
CONCLUSIONThe improvements in this smartphone VSC include User-friendly installation:
Using hook and loop fastener Allow our system to be applied on various types of powered wheelchairs Decrease the complexity of sensors’ installation.
Small size display A smartphone application to display information and give reminders Increase the flexibility for placement Decrease the impact on wheelchair transfers and daily tasks.
Ongoing usability test Gather their feedback for application design and information delivery Improve the hardware and software design
REFERENCES Trefler E, Schmeler M. State of the science white paper on seating for postural control. In:
Brubaker CE, Brienza, DM, editors. Proceedings of Wheelchair Seating: A State of the Science Conference on Seating Issues for Persons with Disabilities; 2001 Feb 19–20; Rehabilitation Engineering Center on Wheeled Mobility and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Orlando, FL. Pittsburgh (PA): University of Pittsburgh; 2001. p. 21–26 Easy to use.
Lange, M., Positioning: it's all in the angles. Advance for Occupational Therapy Practitioners, 2006 .
Dicianno, B.E., et al., RESNA position on the application of tilt, recline, and elevating legrests for wheelchairs. Assist Technol, 2009. 21(1): p. 13-22; quiz 24.
Corfman, T.A., et al., Tips and falls during electric-powered wheelchair driving: effects of seatbelt use, legrests, and driving speed. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2003. 84(12): p. 1797-802.
Ding, D., et al., Virtual coach technology for supporting self-care. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am, 2010. 21(1): p. 179-94.
Liu., H.-y., et al., Seating virtual coach: A smart reminder for power seat function usage. Technology and Disability, 2010. 22: p. 53-60.
Liu, H.-y., et al., Case Study: Pilot Test of Virtual Seating Coach Evaluated by Power Seat Function Users., Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America Conference, Baltimore, MD, June 28-July 3, 2012.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT National Science Foundation Quality of Life Technology
Engineering Research Center (Grant EEC-0540865) Department of Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for
Wheelchairs and Associated Rehabilitation (Grant B3142C) Department of Veterans Affairs Research and Development
Merit Review Award: Power Seating Function Usage among Veterans - Compliance and Coaching (Grant B6591R)
