Tomohisa Kato1, Yusuke Sekiguchi2, Keita Honda3, Shin-Ichi Izumi4, Hiroyasu Kanetaka5. 1. Department of Research and Development, TOTO LTD., 2-8-1 Honson, Chigasaki, Kanagawa 253-8577, Japan; Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan. Electronic address: tomohisa.kato@jp.toto.com. 2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan. Electronic address: yusuke.sekiguchi.b2@tohoku.ac.jp. 3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan. Electronic address: keita.honda.d2@tohoku.ac.jp. 4. Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan. Electronic address: izumis@med.tohoku.ac.jp. 5. Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan. Electronic address: kanetaka@dent.tohoku.ac.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The handrail is an effective means of assisting sit-to-stand movements. As some elderly people need force to support their body during sit-to-stand movements because of instability and weakness; however, few handrails are specifically shaped to generate more force and support the body. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a newly designed curved-angled handrail on the reaction force during sit-to-stand movements in the elderly. METHODS: Twenty-one elderly subjects (age range, 72-84 years) participated in the study. They performed sit-to-stand movements using a conventional vertical handrail and then the curved-angled handrail five times each. For each subject, body coordinate data were acquired and the handrail reaction force was measured using motion analysis and load sensors on the handrail. FINDINGS: The reaction forces generated in the anterior-posterior and upward-downward directions during sit-to-stand movements using the curved-angled handrail were significantly greater than those generated using the conventional vertical handrail (p < .001). INTERPRETATION: Compared with using the conventional vertical handrail, using the curved-angled handrail enhances the generated force during sit-to-stand movements.
BACKGROUND: The handrail is an effective means of assisting sit-to-stand movements. As some elderly people need force to support their body during sit-to-stand movements because of instability and weakness; however, few handrails are specifically shaped to generate more force and support the body. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a newly designed curved-angled handrail on the reaction force during sit-to-stand movements in the elderly. METHODS: Twenty-one elderly subjects (age range, 72-84 years) participated in the study. They performed sit-to-stand movements using a conventional vertical handrail and then the curved-angled handrail five times each. For each subject, body coordinate data were acquired and the handrail reaction force was measured using motion analysis and load sensors on the handrail. FINDINGS: The reaction forces generated in the anterior-posterior and upward-downward directions during sit-to-stand movements using the curved-angled handrail were significantly greater than those generated using the conventional vertical handrail (p < .001). INTERPRETATION: Compared with using the conventional vertical handrail, using the curved-angled handrail enhances the generated force during sit-to-stand movements.