Authors:
Frederico Santos
1
;
Luis Roseiro
1
;
Cândida Malça
1
;
2
;
Alexandra André
3
;
Ruben Durães
4
;
William Xavier
5
;
Arménio Cruz
6
and
Marco Silva
1
Affiliations:
1
Polytechnic of Coimbra, ISEC, Rua Pedro Nunes, 3030 -199 Coimbra, Portugal
;
2
Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, IPL, Rua de Portugal, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal
;
3
Polytechnic of Coimbra, ESTeSC, Rua 5 de Outubro, 3045-043 Coimbra, Portugal
;
4
ORTHOS XXI, Rua Santa Leocádia 2735, 4809-012 Guimarães, Portugal
;
5
WISEWARE, Zona Industrial da Mota, Rua 12, Lote 51, Fração E, 3830-527 Gafanha da Encarnação, Portugal
;
6
Nursing School of Coimbra, Avenida Bissaya Barreto 143, 3004-011 Coimbra, Portugal
Keyword(s):
Prolonged Immobility Syndrome, Rehabilitation Therapy Equipment, Lower, Upper Limbs Rehabilitation, Biomechanical System, Advanced Biofeedback.
Abstract:
Citizens with physical limitations, namely bedridden patients, are often unable to perform physical activity alone, which can translate into long periods of immobilization, with serious consequences for their health. This type of patient usually stays in bed for long periods, leading to getting several motor problems due to their immobility. Thus, it is important to develop biomechanical systems that can be used in the implementation of physical rehabilitation activities for this type of patient. This work presents a prototype, specifically developed for bedridden patients, aiming to contribute to the prevention of complications associated with their immobility for long periods of time. The developed equipment is based on a modular structure allowing a linear module with active/passive operation and alternatively an active/passive rotary module, to perform different types of physical movements on upper and lower limbs. This work describes the developed management and control system w
ith emphasis on the use of biofeedback sensors and real-time data analysis. The first tests carried out on the prototype clearly identified the benefits of the system when used in physical-motor rehabilitation procedures for long-term bedridden patients.
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