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Biomedical subjects

S Sprigle

Publications and source records attributed to S Sprigle.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Resistance properties of Thera-Band tubing during shoulder abduction exercise.

STUDY DESIGN: Single-group, repeated measures. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between tubing length and tubing tension for 6 colors of Thera-Band tubing (each color representing a different level of resistance) and to estimate the resistive shoulder torque provided during shoulder abduction exercise. BACKGROUND: Thera-Band tubing is popular for providing resistance in rehabilitation strengthening programs. Unfortunately, it is difficult to compare use of elastic tubing with other resistance training methods because no published data exist on how much resistance is being provided during exercise. METHODS AND MEASURES: Nine male and 6 female subjects (age, 25.9 +/- 3.6 years; height, 173 +/- 10 cm) performed shoulder abduction, using 6 colors of tubing. A strain gauge attached at the fixed end of the tubing directly measured the tension generated during stretch. For each color of tubing, each subject momentarily held a position at 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, and 150 degrees of abduction. Shoulder joint abduction, limb segment position, and tubing length were analyzed by means of the Peak Motion Measurement System. Simple linear regression equations predicted tubing tension from percent change in tubing length at the joint angle positions. A 2-way (5 x 6) repeated-measures ANOVA determined the mean differences in tubing tension across tubing colors at the shoulder abduction positions. RESULTS: Strong linear relationships were found for each tubing tension when referenced according to changes in tubing length. Significant differences in tension were found for the various colors of tubing. The resistive torque curves for each color tubing were similar to isotonic exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Thera-Band tubing provides linear resistance during shoulder abduction, but the resistive torque provided by the tubing mimics isotonic exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Guidelines for force-travel combinations of push button switches for older populations.

Current demographic trends indicating that older persons will comprise an increasingly larger proportion of our population points to the need for paying closer attention to age-related disabilities in designing products and environments capable of accommodating this population. This study addresses the development of design guidelines for push-button switches associated with a variety of consumer products commonly used by older persons. Three groups, each consisting of 12 male and female subjects, participated in the study, with all subjects over the age of 50 and the average age being 70 years. The groups were categorized on the basis of whether subjects were able-bodied, had arthritis affecting their hands or fingers, or had hand tremor; these categories were validated through the use of functional assessment tools. A scheme was developed to categorize commercially available switches based on force-travel combinations, and an experiment was conducted to assess the subject's ability to momentarily and continuously operate the switches, as well as to derive the subjective preferences for these switches. Based on observations from behavioral strategies, and graphical and statistical analysis of preferences, a set of design guidelines was proposed to enable consumer product designers and manufacturers to better accommodate the needs of both able-bodied and functionally impaired older adults.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

Physical accessibility guidelines of consumer product controls.

A literature review was undertaken to compile information on the design of consumer product controls (CPCs), concentrating on physical accessibility of electronic devices. Few studies were found that addressed CPC access by people with disabilities; however, information on accessibility for the general population was found. Control guidelines were developed that include information on the application, design, size, force, switch travel, activation/position feedback, spacing, and direction of activation. This information should be helpful to designers of electronic consumer products, researchers interested in product accessibility, and possibly clinicians who are fabricating or modifying equipment for a particular group of people.

Electronics, Medical↗
PubMed1997

Draft definition of stage I pressure ulcers: inclusion of persons with darkly pigmented skin. NPUAP Task Force on Stage I Definition and Darkly Pigmented Skin.

The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel appointed a task force to review the definition of Stage I pressure ulcers, specifically to assess its adequacy in people with darkly pigmented skin. The process used by the task force to draft a new definition is described in this preliminary report of their work. The proposed definition and initial critique of it are given.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

Development of test methodologies for determining the safety of wheelchair headrest systems during vehicle transport.

For wheelchair users unable to transfer to a vehicle seat, the wheelchair serves as a means of mobility and postural support during activities of daily living and as a seating support in a vehicle. The performance of commercially available adaptive seating components in a dynamic or impact situation, as well as their effect on the safety of the user, is unknown and should be determined. The main objective of the project was to develop a test methodology to statically determine the crashworthiness of wheelchair headrest systems and show the efficacy of that methodology by applying it to several commercially available headrest systems. The methodology was based on Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) test conditions, which use static test procedures to ensure that vehicle head restraints will perform adequately during actual crash conditions. The procedure developed to evaluate the headrests gave informative and repeatable results. The tests performed calculated the energy associated with a critical deformation of the headrest under quasi-static conditions. The results were used to determine the level of safety provided by the devices and to recommend design improvements. The headrests tested exhibited similar modes of deformation due to bending of a vertical adjustment bar, and several devices were determined to be capable of providing adequate restraint in an impact situation.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1996

Development of instrumentation and protocol to measure the dynamic environment of a modified van.

The dynamic environment of a van modified to accommodate a person driving from a wheelchair was measured to determine the effects of position within the van and the type of seat used. The project measured accelerations as a subject sat in three positions within the van and upon two different seats. Three separate van maneuvers at different speeds were used to change the dynamic environment. Van accelerations at the different positions varied significantly. A wheelchair transmitted more accelerations to the subject than the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) seat, making it harder to maintain a stable posture. These results should prove useful to others studying the functional abilities of wheelchair users within a vehicle environment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Assessment of adaptive transportation technology: a survey of users and equipment vendors.

In order to define the state of adaptive transportation equipment, wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) and equipment vendors were surveyed about equipment, funding, maintenance, and repair. SCI registries from two states, Virginia and Arkansas, were used to create the sample pool of users and 225 responses were received. A list of equipment vendors and vehicle modifiers was compiled from several national resources, and 123 responses were received from 36 states. User respondents were generally satisfied with their adaptive equipment, which typically required only minor inexpensive (< $100) repairs, if any. Personal or family money was used by over 90% of the respondents for equipment funding. Vendors reported that a substantial amount of custom modification or fabrication of equipment is required to meet the needs of their clients. Lifts, external controls, and six-way power seats were cited by vendors as the equipment requiring the most frequent repair. The survey results provide an examination of the opinions and experiences of users and vendors of adaptive transportation equipment, which should prove useful to those involved in evaluating equipment, equipment availability, and the need for industry-wide standards.

Automobiles↗
PubMed1993

Using seat contour measurements during seating evaluations of individuals with SCI.

Measuring the shape of the buttock-cushion interface has been used successfully in research to study tissue loading and as a means to fabricate custom contoured cushions. Seat contours are also able to provide useful clinical information on the weight-bearing surface of the cushion, which can be used to address posture. This article offers specific case studies that demonstrate how the analysis of seat contours can be used to identify pelvic tilt, pelvic obliquity, and areas of high loading. Seat contour measurements complement other clinical measures, such as seat interface pressures and general postural assessments, to form a more complete picture of the buttock-cushion interface. They have become useful in the clinical management of various pressure and posture problems experienced by individuals with spinal cord injury and other wheelchair users.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Clinical evaluation of the Hemi Wheelchair Cushion.

A foam cushion was designed for wheelchair users who propel their wheelchairs with the assistance of one lower extremity. It allows users to extend one hip to reach the ground without having to slide forward on the seat, thus maintaining a more erect posture. The cushion was evaluated to identify contraindications for its use. Eleven subjects (10 stroke patients and 1 patient with an above-the-knee amputation) were tested on the Hemi Wheelchair Cushion and on a second cushion chosen by their primary occupational therapists. Seat interface pressures, both before and after dynamic movement, sitting balance, and wheelchair mobility were measured for each cushion. An analysis of mean pressure values revealed no significant difference between the cushion (p = .80). Average pressures after dynamic movement showed a statistically significant difference from pressures before activity (p < .05). Subjective evaluation revealed that the Hemi Wheelchair Cushion did not adversely affect sitting balance or wheelchair mobility, and no contraindications for its use were identified. The results of this clinical evaluation indicate that the Hemi Wheelchair Cushion is an economical and appropriate option for wheelchair users who propel themselves with the assistance of one leg.

Female↗
PubMed1990

Factors affecting seat contour characteristics.

This project focused on identifying the influence of subject characteristics and foam properties on seat contours in order to explain the load transfer between the buttocks and cushion. Seat contours were recorded for 17 people (11 spinal cord injured and six able-bodied individuals). Contour characteristics were represented by maximum contour depth, surface area, and displaced volume. Subject characteristics were represented as intertrochanteric distance, body weight, and lower extremity muscle tone. Two foams with different degrees of stiffness (45- and 55-pound indentation load deflection [ILD]) were studied. Multiple regression equations were calculated for each of the three contour characteristics by entering in all three subject attributes. While the equations differ, all six exhibited a significant Multiple R (range: 0.79 to 0.92). Each subject characteristic was a significant predictor of at least one contour trait (p less than 0.05). The major difference between the two cushions was the predictive ability of muscle tone. For the stiffer HR55 foam, muscle tone was the strongest predictor of all contour characteristics. Therefore, some conclusions can be drawn concerning the relationship between foam stiffness, tone, and resulting seat contours. These relationships help define the differences in load transfer as subject and cushion characteristics vary and are important in the design of contoured foam for use as wheelchair cushions.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1990

Reduction of sitting pressures with custom contoured cushions.

Previous research indicated that matching a cushion to the shape of the buttocks results in less tissue distortion and lower interface pressures. A system was developed to measure body contours and fabricate a cushion to match the measured contour. This project fabricated contoured foam cushions for 11 persons with spinal cord lesions (C5-L3). Mean pressures were compared on two flat and two contoured foams with different degrees of stiffness. Deflection characteristics on flat foam were compared to deflection on contoured foam in order to analyze loading differences. Material studies were determined by examining the load-deflection curves for flat foams of 1-, 2-, and 3-inch thicknesses. It was found that sitting on contoured foam resulted in a lower pressure distribution than sitting on flat foam (p less than 0.05), and sitting on a soft foam (ILD = 45) resulted in a lower pressure distribution than sitting on a stiffer foam (ILD = 55) (p less than 0.05). Results of the deflection measurements and compression tests were used to explain the loading differences at the seat interface of flat and contoured cushions. Loaded contoured foam demonstrated increased enveloping of the buttocks, decreased foam compression, and a more uniform pressure distribution. These attributes are typical of a safer sitting surface and may indicate less tissue distortion.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical skin temperature measurement to predict incipient pressure ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate temperature differences between areas of erythema and surrounding healthy tissue to determine whether clinical temperature measurement of sites at risk for pressure ulcer development could be used to indicate tissue damage. To validate the temperature portion of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel's new Stage I pressure ulcer definition. DESIGN: Repeated measures design. SETTING: Acute rehabilitation hospital. SUBJECTS: 65 outpatients and inpatients presenting with pressure-induced erythema at areas at risk for pressure ulcer development. The subjects were primarily non-ambulatory and exhibited a range of skin pigmentation and disabilities, including spinal injury, multiple sclerosis, and lower-limb amputations. MAIN RESULTS: The temperature and appearance of 80 pairs of erythematic and control sites were documented. Sites were considered to have equal temperatures if the difference was within plus or minus 1.0 degree F. Fifteen percent (n = 12) of the erythematic sites were the same temperature as the surrounding tissue, 23% (n = 18) of the erythematic sites were cooler than the control sites, and 63% (n = 50) were warmer. CONCLUSION: Both increased and decreased temperature differences can be used to indicate reactive hyperemia or a Stage I pressure ulcer, but a tissue integrity problem may still exist despite the absence of a temperature difference.

Persons with Disabilities↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Testing the validity of erythema detection algorithms.

Dermatology has quantified skin color for monitoring progress of treatments. The most common and effective means of erythema detection is visual inspection of the skin. However, for people with darkly pigmented skin, erythema can be masked by melanin. Tissue Reflectance Spectroscopy (TRS) is a noninvasive method of quantifying skin color. Most commonly, TRS quantifies erythema caused by cosmetics, topical ointments, UV light, or other irritants. Recently, TRS has been used to characterize the presence of erythema due to reactive hyperemia or Stage I pressure ulcers. The objective of this study was to compare the reliability and validity of erythema detection algorithms by determining their sensitivity and specificity. Two algorithms, Diffey and Helen Hayes Hospital (HHH), had sensitivity exceeding 85% and specificity exceeding 75%, but most algorithms demonstrated adequate validity across all subjects. The validity of the HHH algorithm did not change with the skin pigmentation of the subject. The results of this comparison will be useful to researchers interested in using TRS to detect erythema in people with different skin pigment levels.

Algorithms↗