Assistive Technology Research

Shepherd Center supports basic and applied research efforts to develop devices that help people with disabilities improve their ability to function and control their environment.

The following is a summary of current initiatives for assistive technology research at Shepherd Center.

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Mobile Wireless Technologies for Persons with Disabilities (NIDRR; Michael Jones, PhD, John Anschutz, Shepherd Center) [232]

RERC - Wireless - Assessment of User Needs: Study of the impact of access to cell phones for people with disabilities (Michael Jones, PhD, Jim Mueller, Shepherd Center/Georgia Institute of Technology(GIT) [232-R1]

Clinical Evaluation of Seating & Positioning Supports
(Stephen Sprigle, PhD, GIT/CATEA, Chris Maurer, MPT, ATP, Shepherd Center) [272]

Factors that Influence Activity and Participation among Individuals with Significant Mobility Limitations (NIDRR; Stephen Sprigle, PhD, GIT, Michael Jones, PhD, Shepherd Center) [312]

Establishing acceptable support surface interface pressure thresholds (Stephen Sprigle, PhD, GIT/Chris Maurer, Shepherd Center) [318]

Effect of an educational research dissemination program on practice patterns for professionals recommending manual wheelchairs (Laura Cohen PT, PhD, ATP, Chris Maurer MPT, ATP) [341]

Use of the RT 300 FES lower extremity ergometer for individuals with paralysis secondary to SCI (Deborah Backus, PhD, Michael Jones, PhD, Shepherd Center) [350]

Changes in Interface Pressure in Variable Position Wheelchairs (NIDRR, RERC on Wheeled Mobility; Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT, David Apple, MD) [358]

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Mobile Wireless Technologies for Persons with Disabilities (NIDRR; Michael Jones, PhD, John Anschutz, Shepherd Center) [232]

Georgia Tech and Shepherd Center received funding for five years to establish a national rehabilitation engineering research center (RERC) dedicated to the development of appropriate and effective applications of wireless technologies to enhance the independence of people with disabilities. RERC will have two primary aims: 1) ensure equitable access to mobile wireless products and services by people with disabilities of all ages and abilities; and 2) investigate promising applications of mobile wireless technologies in support of employment, independent living, and community integration of people with disabilities.

RERC - Wireless - Assessment of User Needs: Study of the impact of access to cell phones for people with disabilities (Michael Jones, PhD, Jim Mueller, Shepherd Center/Georgia Institute of Technology(GIT)) [232-R1]

This project's Survey of User Needs (SUN) has yielded some 650 responses to date from persons with disabilities. More than 300 of these respondents have joined the Consumer Advisory Network (CAN) and agreed to participate in future project activities, including focus groups and product testing. Among the barriers to use of wireless technologies cited in survey responses, cost of wireless products and services have emerged as a significant barrier. Persons with disabilities who do use cell phones note that this technology is very important to their lives. Project staff seek to explore this finding further by providing cell phone access to CAN members who do not currently have this service, and assessing the impact of cell phone access on the quality of life of these persons. After 90 days, participants may elect to continue wireless service at their cost, or return the phones for recycling. At the conclusion of the 90-day study, participants will complete a follow-up questionnaire reflecting the same questions asked in the pre-study questionnaire. Comparison between their responses will identify aspects of their lives where they feel that cell phone access has made a difference. The results of this study will help pinpoint aspects of life where cell phones are most important. These results will be used to help wireless manufacturers and service providers to better understand and meet the needs of their customers with disabilities.

Clinical Evaluation of Seating & Positioning Supports (Stephen Sprigle, PhD, GIT/CATEA, Chris Maurer, MPT, ATP, Shepherd Center) [272]

This study will seek to address seating and postural supports often used by wheelchair users, many of which have never been tested to determine their efficacy. Manufacturers are often interested in having their products evaluated by an independent facility with experience in seating and positioning. Seating and positioning supports include wheelchair cushions, backrests, trunk supports, headrests, footrests or other postural supports. The purpose of this study will be to periodically clinically evaluate commercial supports and pre-production prototypes to identify indications and contra-indication of use. Data could include one or more of the following: interface pressure measures, objective measures of function, and subjective subject feedback. This study might help improve final designs before a support is marketed.

Factors that Influence Activity and Participation among Individuals with Significant Mobility Limitations (NIDRR; Stephen Sprigle, PhD, GIT, Michael Jones, PhD, Shepherd Center) [312]

Mobility Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center: Evaluation of factors affecting activity and participation levels of wheelchair users
REVISED: The goal of this research is to determine the relationship between activity levels, health outcomes and perceived quality of life for individuals with significant disability. Shepherd Center's SCI Day Program will be used as a test bed for examining the relationship between observed behavior and activity levels assessed with various instrumented measures, including weight shift activity, accelerometer, and seating pressure and temperature. During the initial phase of the study, participants will be asked to carry out their regular routines (e.g., therapies, practicing activities of daily living such as wheelchair transfers and meal preparation). While participants are engaged in Day Program activities, both instrumented measures and observational data will be collected. Long-term, these instrumented measures will be used to track activity of individuals with significant disability as they resume community living.

Establishing acceptable support surface interface pressure thresholds (Stephen Sprigle, PhD, GIT/Chris Maurer, Shepherd Center) [318]

This is a research study about pressure ulcers (bedsores or decubitus ulcers). The purpose of the study is to measure pressure on the skin that may lead to a pressure ulcer. This study includes four tests involving measuring the pressures on the body as the subject sits in a wheelchair and lies in bed. Measurements will be made every week. Interface pressure measurements will require the most time of any test and require between 40 minutes and 1-½ hours per week. These measurements might be split into two separate test sessions of 20-45 minutes each. If required, a weekly blood test will be taken. None of these test sessions will affect or reduce the care that participants currently receive. The study will end when the subject is discharged from Shepherd Center.

Effect of an educational research dissemination program on practice patterns for professionals recommending manual wheelchairs (Laura Cohen PT, PhD, ATP, Chris Maurer MPT, ATP) [341]

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of a two-day educational intervention on influencing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of professionals recommending seating and wheeled mobility equipment. Specifically, this project will determine the effect of a targeted evidence-based educational program on knowledge of manual wheelchair technology, clinician attitudes towards practice, and manual wheelchair recommendation practices (behaviors). Results of this project can be used to: 1) inform RERCs and other NIDRR research grantees about methods that can be used to monitor utilization, and 2) evaluate the effectiveness of a training activity.

Use of the RT 300 FES lower extremity ergometer for individuals with paralysis secondary to SCI (Deborah Backus, PhD, Michael Jones, PhD, Shepherd Center) [350]

The purpose of this study is to develop the protocol for the RT 300 (FES bike) for a future larger study examining the efficacy of the FES bike for people with SCI. FES is currently used in Shepherd clinic and another FES bike is also being used for the same population of people with SCI. This bike does not pose any new risks to patients with SCI. The use of this bike involves surface functional electrical stimulation (FES) to induce cycling of the legs. Each volunteer should receive prior approval from his or her physician to use the bike. Enrolled subjects using this bike can stay in their wheelchair and simply roll up to the bike. This minimizes any risk of injury associated with performing a transfer to a small seat, or falls due to the loss of balance while seated on a typical bike. A trained physical therapist will demonstrate using the bike and how and where to apply the surface electrodes over the back and front of each thigh, and buttocks. Stimulation will be turned up slowly, and only strength required to cause the legs to cycle. Subjects will spend the first several sessions building up muscle strength, endurance, and tolerance of FES. As contractile strength and FES tolerance increases, pedal assistance will be replaced by resistance building up to a maximum of 20 lbs of resistance while sustaining an exercise rate of 40-50 revs/min. Skin will be checked before and after each session' heart rate and blood pressure will also be monitored during each session.

Changes in Interface Pressure in Variable Position Wheelchairs (NIDRR, RERC on Wheeled Mobility; Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT, David Apple, MD) [358]

The purpose of this study is to determine changes in interface pressures between the subject's body and the support surfaces of a wheelchair as it transitions into different positions. Tilt-in-space, recline and standing positions will be studied using the same wheelchair system (Levo). The subject will be transferred (independently, with assistance or dependent lift) to a Levo power standing wheelchair that has been modified to allow a full tilt position. Four interface pressure mats will be placed between the body and wheelchair surfaces. All 3 configurations will measure loading on the trunk, under buttocks and feet. When in tilt and recline, a 4th mat will be placed under the headrest and in standing, the 4th mat will be placed between the knees and the knee block on the wheelchair. Interface pressure readings will be taken at different positions between erect and full tilt, full recline and in the standing position, respectively.