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

Hee Dong Shin, Da Hyun Ahn, Hyun Ah Lee, Yun Kyung Lee, Hee Seung Yang, Min Jo, Seul Bin Na Lee, Gwan Su Park, Yun Sub Hwang, Woo Sob Sim and Sung-Jun Park
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Hee Dong Shin: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul 05368, Korea
Da Hyun Ahn: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul 05368, Korea
Hyun Ah Lee: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul 05368, Korea
Yun Kyung Lee: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul 05368, Korea
Hee Seung Yang: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul 05368, Korea
Min Jo: Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Veterans Medical Research Institute, 53 Jinhwangdo-ro, 61-gil Gangdong-gu, Seoul 05368, Korea
Seul Bin Na Lee: Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Veterans Medical Research Institute, 53 Jinhwangdo-ro, 61-gil Gangdong-gu, Seoul 05368, Korea
Gwan Su Park: Center of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul 05368, Korea
Yun Sub Hwang: Center of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul 05368, Korea
Woo Sob Sim: Center of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul 05368, Korea
Sung-Jun Park: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, 50 Daehak-ro, Cungju 380702, Korea

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-11

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: self-help devices; three-dimensional printing; power wheelchair; quadriplegia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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