Development of a Data Logger for Capturing Human-Machine Interaction in Wheelchair Head-Foot Steering Sensor System in Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

The use of data logging systems for capturing wheelchair and user behavior has increased rapidly over the past few years. Wheelchairs ensure more independent mobility and better quality of life for people with motor disabilities. Especially, for people with complex movement disorders, such as dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP) who lack the ability to walk or to handle objects, wheelchairs offer a means of integration into daily life. The mobility of DCP patients is based on a head-foot wheelchair steering system. In this work, a data logging system is proposed to capture data from human-wheelchair interaction for the head-foot steering system. Additionally, the data logger provides an interface to multiple Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) placed on the body of the wheelchair user. The system provides accurate and real-time information from head-foot navigation system pressure sensors on the wheelchair during driving. This system was used as a tool to obtain further insights into wheelchair control and steering behavior of people diagnosed with DCP in comparison with a healthy subject.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Human-Machine Interaction Methodology for Electric-Powered Wheelchairs Driving from 1998 to 2020

“…In addition, researchers have used technologies originally developed for mobile robots to create smart wheelchairs that reduce the physical, perceptual, and cognitive skills necessary to operate a power wheelchair for individuals with severe dysfunction disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal cord injury (SCI), and muscle dystrophy (MS) [ 13 , 49 ]. Different kinds of input methods, such as joysticks [ 2 , 50 ], voice commands [ 51 , 52 ], the sip-and-puff interface [ 6 ], BCI [ 9 , 10 , 17 , 43 ], the tongue drive system (TDS) [ 7 , 8 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ], the head gesture based interface (HGI) [ 53 , 54 ], the eye-controlled interface [ 3 , 39 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ], the EMG-based interface [ 62 , 63 ], and the multimodal interface [ 64 , 65 ], have been used in EPW HMI to accommodate the disabled. Some examples of the remarkable technological advances in EPW HMI methodology in recent years are shown in detail in Figure 8 .…”

“… Examples of the remarkable technological advances in EPW HMI methodology in recent years. ( a ) A wheelchair data logger: proposed to capture data from human-wheelchair interaction for the head-foot steering system [ 54 ] (Reprinted with permission from ref. [ 54 ].…”

“…( a ) A wheelchair data logger: proposed to capture data from human-wheelchair interaction for the head-foot steering system [ 54 ] (Reprinted with permission from ref. [ 54 ]. Copyright 2021 MDPI); ( b ) A facial expression-controlled wheelchair: based on a combination of neural networks (NN) and specific image preprocessing steps, providing an efficient hands-free option, allowing the user to drive the wheelchair using its facial expressions which can be flexibly updated [ 66 ] (Reprinted with permission from ref.…”

Dystonia and choreoathetosis presence and severity in relation to powered wheelchair mobility performance in children and youth with dyskinetic cerebral palsy

“…12,16 As such, the use of PWs could enhance their activity and participation at school, outdoors, and in the community, however, several burdens and challenges are present. 16,19,20 In this respect, clinical practice supports the use of an alternating steering method like the use of head/foot steering wheelchairs, whereas basal movements of the head and the feet seem to be better controlled in DCP than the more difficult control movement of the arms. 1 That is, children with DCP could use their head to steer the wheelchair to the right and to the left, and their feet to accelerate and brake.…”

“…1 That is, children with DCP could use their head to steer the wheelchair to the right and to the left, and their feet to accelerate and brake. 20 To date, however, PW mobility training with head/foot steering wheelchairs in DCP is solely based on clinical expertise where lack of evidence-based knowledge results in unstandardized mobility training and long learning curves. 13,21,22 A previous study in CP participants with severe bilateral involvement showed that the level of power mobility independence is related to the length of training time and not to the participants' intellectual and functional abilities.…”