Abstract

Purpose: To propose a novel supporting device to help Parkinson patients to turn over and to take a sitting position on a bed.

Methods: Parkinson patients have difficulty with turning motion, which leads to disability in achieving a sitting up position. Nevertheless, they can walk unaided with a caregiver in cases where conditions are not so severe. The device prototype is a vest on which air actuators are attached. We devised air actuators of three kinds comprising piled plastic sheets: fan-type, bellows-type, and split-type. Air actuators push the patient body up as they are expanded by an air compressor.

Result: Experiments to verify the prototype device were conducted with healthy participants. Each turning over and sitting up motion was realized automatically using an accelerometer and a digital flow switch.

Conclusion: Results indicate that the performance of the device is sufficient to help the user to complete the sitting up motion on a bed.