Improve elderly people's sit-to-stand ability by using new designed additional armrests attaching on the standard...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Rehabilitation Engineering
• Biomechanics of Elderly Mobility
• Assistive Device Design for Aging Population

Background:

• Elderly healthcare is increasingly important due to age-related health issues.
• Lower extremity weakness in older adults necessitates walking aids like walkers.
• Standard walkers (N-type) pose fall risks during sit-to-stand (STS) transfers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate an attachable armrest for standard walkers to facilitate STS.
• To assess the efficacy of the enhanced walker (B-type) using clinical and sensor-based methods.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-four elderly participants (mean age 83 ± 6 years) were recruited.
• Evaluations included the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) and a satisfaction survey.
• An inertial measurement unit (IMU) on the trunk measured acceleration during STS with N-type and B-type walkers.

Main Results:

• The B-type walker reduced STS time by approximately 5 seconds compared to the N-type.
• 63.7% of participants reported higher satisfaction with the B-type walker.
• IMU data indicated higher peak anteroposterior and peak flexion/extension accelerations with the B-type.

Conclusions:

• The novel armrest design, when combined with a standard walker, provides superior STS assistance.
• The B-type walker enhances STS performance by enabling greater acceleration.
• This design offers a practical solution to improve mobility and safety for the elderly.