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Customized Power Wheelchair Joysticks Made by Three-Dimensional Printing Technology: A Pilot Study on the Environmental Adaptation Effects for Severe Quadriplegia

Background: Power wheelchair joysticks are often available as standardized ready-made products for patients with severe hand dysfunction. However, standardized joysticks have limitations in accommodating the individualized features of hand dysfunctions. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Shin, Hee Dong, Ahn, Da Hyun, Lee, Hyun Ah, Lee, Yun Kyung, Yang, Hee Seung, Jo, Min, Lee, Seul Bin Na, Park, Gwan Su, Hwang, Yun Sub, Sim, Woo Sob, Park, Sung-Jun
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: MDPI 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8306002/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34299938
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147464
Descripción
Sumario:Background: Power wheelchair joysticks are often available as standardized ready-made products for patients with severe hand dysfunction. However, standardized joysticks have limitations in accommodating the individualized features of hand dysfunctions. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has facilitated active research on the development of joysticks that can overcome such limitations. Methods: Four subjects participated in the study to evaluate driving abilities and satisfaction after using the customized joystick for two weeks. Modified power-mobility indoor driving assessment (PIDA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration task load index (NASA-TLX), and psychosocial impact of assistive devices scale (PIADS; Korean version) were employed for evaluation. Results: In patients 1–3, the modified PIDA scores had the highest values in the pre-test and post-test. In patient 4, the modified PIDA score had a higher value in the post-test (mean value = 4) compared to the pre-test (mean value = 3.33). In all patients, the modified PIDA time was lower in the post-test compared to the pre-test. The NASA-TLX and PIADS values indicate that greater satisfaction was achieved through the usage of customized joysticks in the post-test. Conclusions: All patients can improve their power wheelchair driving abilities and achieve greater satisfaction. Clinical Relevance: Three-dimensional printed customized power wheelchair joysticks can offer enhanced driving abilities and satisfaction to patients with limited hand function owing to severe spinal cord injury.