Mahajan Harshal P, Spaeth Donald M, Dicianno Brad E, Brown Karl, Cooper Rory A
Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rehabilitation Research and Development Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA;
J Rehabil Res Dev. 2014;51(6):951-62. doi: 10.1682/JRRD.2013.01.0023.
Upper-limb fatigue is a common problem that may restrict people with multiple sclerosis (MS) from using their electric powered wheelchair effectively and for a long period of time. The objective of this research is to evaluate whether participants with MS can drive better using a variable compliance joystick (VCJ) and customizable algorithms than with a conventional wheelchair joystick. Eleven participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The groups used either the VCJ in compliant or noncompliant isometric mode and a standard algorithm, personally fitted algorithm, or personally fitted algorithm with fatigue adaptation running in the background in order to complete virtual wheelchair driving tasks. Participants with MS showed better driving performance metrics while using the customized algorithms than while using the standard algorithm with the VCJ. Fatigue adaptation algorithms are especially beneficial in improving overall task performance while using the VCJ in isometric mode. The VCJ, along with the personally fitted algorithms and fatigue adaptation algorithms, has the potential to be an effective input interface for wheelchairs.
上肢疲劳是一个常见问题，可能会限制多发性硬化症（MS）患者有效且长时间地使用电动轮椅。本研究的目的是评估与传统轮椅操纵杆相比，MS患者使用可变顺应性操纵杆（VCJ）和可定制算法是否能更好地驾驶。11名参与者被随机分为两组。两组分别使用顺应性或非顺应性等距模式的VCJ以及标准算法、个性化算法，或者在后台运行疲劳适应功能的个性化算法来完成虚拟轮椅驾驶任务。与使用VCJ的标准算法相比，MS患者在使用定制算法时表现出更好的驾驶性能指标。在等距模式下使用VCJ时，疲劳适应算法在提高整体任务性能方面特别有益。VCJ与个性化算法和疲劳适应算法一起，有可能成为一种有效的轮椅输入接口。
