A Smartphone Application for Improving Powered Seat Functions Usage: A Preliminary Test

Yu-Kuang Wu, MS PT, Hsin-Yi Liu, MS PT, Josh Brown, BS, Annmarie Kelleher, MS OTR/L, Hongwu Wang, PhD, Rory A. Cooper, PhD

INTRODUCTION

Powered 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

INTRODUCTION

Virtual 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 GOALS

Features 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

to le

arn

Easy

to u

se

Easy

to o

btai

n in

fo

Good

user

exp

erie

nce

Clear

inte

rface

Organ

ized

info

rmat

ion

Easy

to n

avig

ate

Erro

r tol

eran

ce

Clear

erro

r mes

sage

s

Sign

ifica

nt fu

nctio

ns a

nd ca

pabi

litie

s

Good

Qualit

y of

ser

vice

/info

rmat

ion

3

3.5

4

4.5

User ControlScale

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

CONCLUSION

The 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)