Development of sit-to-stand assistive chair using a pneumatic cylinder: a feasibility test

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and investigate the feasibility of a sit-to-stand assistive chair using a pneumatic cylinder. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The sit-to-stand assistive chair was developed to assist the sit-to-stand movement by rising up of the chair by a pneumatic cylinder. After the user is seated on the chair, if the pneumatic cylinder pulls the seat plate when standing up, the spring of the pneumatic cylinder, which has been stretched, assists in rising the rear end of the seat plate so that the user can stand conveniently and comfortably. A feasibility test was performed in 10 heathy adults. The electromyographic muscle activation of the trunk and lower extremity muscles was analyzed, which included the erector spinae, rectus abdominis, quadriceps, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius when standing up from sitting using the developed chair and standing up without using the developed chair. Results: As a result, the sit-to-stand assistive chair using a pneumatic cylinder was developed. In the feasibility test, the use of the developed chair had a decrease in rectus abdominis, quadriceps, tibialis anterior activation compared to those who did not use the device in the healthy adults. Conclusions: The sit-to-stand assistive chair using a pneumatic cylinder may be helpful to reduce the activation of the rectus abdominis, quadriceps, tibialis anterior muscles when performing a sit-to-stand movement. Through the results, the efficacy of the sit-to-stand assistive chair can be confirmed. In the future, further studies are warranted to investigate for the safety and efficacy of its use in the elderly population or those who are disabled.